HELP: Removing Plastic Lower Rocker

[smokinolds]

Hi all,
Im trying to remove my rocker covers/panels before my truck goes in for a new paint job. i managed to remove the front corner peice with no problem and the plastic retainers at the bottom of the main rocker. The clips i see inside the main rocker dont come our without serious prying and probaly some damage too. Does anyone know a better way to remove them?
Thanks-Smokin'

 

[Joe Dirt]

Nope, you have to pry them out. Get a tril puller or a wide flat blade and pop them off. The clips look like arrows, and tehy go into holes in the rockers. You may have to pry form both sides of each arrow to get them totally popped out.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

BUT be prepared to see whats under them. you might not like it.

 

[Joe Dirt]

That was aimed at me, wasn't it?

 

[smokinolds]

Alright I'll try that. Do you know where to find replacement clips for if some break for it is a FORD and it is bound to happen.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Let me know if you do, I have a bunch. They're pretty strong though... you know- for a Ford.

 

[smokinolds]

My truck came from Michigan for 4 years but has since lived in nice dry non salted Texas so i dont think rust is a concern for that truck

 

[smokinolds]

where did u find them? When i had the corner ripped off before by a stone the only place was a junk yard and i had to buy the whole fender for just those two clips.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I pull them off at the junkyard all the time. I have a bag of 'em.

 

[RaveDigger]

I was very fortunate to find zero rust under my plastic trim, and my car came from Maine!

 

[Joe Dirt]

very fortunate indeed...

It's all a matter of how the truck is cared for as much as the salt issues.

Case in point, two of my Ex's.

1995 (Snowball) with at the time 205,000 miles. The worst section- clean up and Rust Bullet (POR-15) all holes still intact...

2000 (Wedgie) with 107,000 miles... Outer rockers completely gone.