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Rocker protection (for daily driver use)

DK5

DK5

1/2 ton status
Joined
Jan 14, 2007
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Location
The city that rhymes with fun, Saskatchewan
I think I'm going to buy some mudflaps for my K5. I just had the truck painted and I want to protect the underside of it as much as possible. When I originally bought the truck, it hardly had any rust. Before long the rockers were all chipped and the paint was flaking and it began rusting out.

Now I have new rockers and rear quarters and fresh paint, I think this is the best way to protect it.

Rather than going with cheap plastic junk, I'm thinking of getting something that looks decent and will last a long time. These cloud rider mudflaps seem to fit the bill...

http://www.cloud-rider.com/market/index/page/fusion
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Here are some crappy cellphone pics of said K5:

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I found a dealer for those mudflaps and it looks to be about $80.00 for a pair + 40.00 installation. So I'd be looking at about $240.00 for the finished product.

My dual exhaust tips are also in the way and would have to be re-routed somehow. I do have an appointment at the muffler shop tomorrow to fix the exhaust leaks at the manifold anway, so I could have them chop the tips off and weld on some nice chrome ones a little further back so they don't melt the new mudflaps. I have been considering putting in a whole new exhaust system, but in the interests of budget and time, it makes sense to stick with what I've got (true dual 2.5" with welded crossover and flo-pro turbo mufflers, no cats).
 
The flaps look decent, but you really want to pay $40 to have them mounted?

Also, even if you are going for something that looks good, i think you can make/modify cheaper ones on the market to make something that looks good for WAY cheaper.
 
another option would be clear chip guard on the lower part of the body.... we used to do it all the time at the collision shop...
 
dhcomp said:
The flaps look decent, but you really want to pay $40 to have them mounted?

Also, even if you are going for something that looks good, i think you can make/modify cheaper ones on the market to make something that looks good for WAY cheaper.
Click to expand...

I have been looking for something similar for lesser price and haven't seen much in my area. I did find a nice set with chrome in Bismarck when I was down there (should have bought em) and they were only $30 per pair but I don't know when I'll be back down there and this cloud rider stuff looks much better (stronger and taller design).

I'm considering having it installed but I want to talk to the installer to see what he plans to do exactly and make sure he doesn't f*k it up. Otherwise I'll make time and do it myself. If its not too difficult I might do that anyway but for the time saved I'd consider having it installed. (I'm a full time student and its gettin busy, plus I have a million other things to do on the blazer, ie., power window wiring harnesses and installation of new carpet)

ryoken said:
another option would be clear chip guard on the lower part of the body.... we used to do it all the time at the collision shop...
Click to expand...

I've heard about that stuff.. do I just go to any collision repair place to have it installed? I wonder if Ziebart installs it..
 
If you draw a string from the bottom of the tire to the bottom of the mudflap, you'll see just how little they protect...especially where the rear 1/4 kicks out for the wheel opening. Your best bet would be to protect that metal with something stronger than paint. I have seen trucks with bedliner on the rockers, and that seems pretty strong against rock chips.
 
DK5 said:
I have a can of this stuff at home:
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...tants/PRD~0477935P/Black%2BRocker%2BGuard.jsp

Do you think that would do the trick? I was going to spray it on the underside and see it how looks. If I like the look of it, I may spray it on the outer rockers over the new paint
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I've only seen that stuff last a short time before it starts flaking off....
I think you really get what you pay for, and for rocker panels, you really need to get them prepped well to provide adhesion for something tougher like what Paul posted up, or some commercial bedliner material.
 
I was thinking of putting herculiner before.. what kind of prep would I need to do to promote adhesion?

The underside was cleaned really well when the bodywork was done, and after they finished welding and whatnot they sprayed some sort of flat black undercoat everywhere on the frame, under floor pans, inner rockers, etc. Its a dry flat black finish, looks good, but I want to go the extra mile and make sure all the rough edges and wholes are protected well, to minimize rust as much as possible.

I was also thinking of drilling a couple holes on the inner rockers to let crap drain out of there, especially since I'd be pressure washing it all the time
 
was also thinking of drilling a couple holes on the inner rockers to let crap drain out of there, especially since I'd be pressure washing it all the time
Click to expand...

This is key. Most of the time the rockers rust from the inside out.

Now with that said...

Don't drive it in the winter! Your truck looks too good to sacrifice it to winter driving conditions.

But, if you must, keep it as clean as possible.
 
Back from the muffler shop

What a difference an exhaust leak makes.. feels like a different truck now. I had them fix the duals (i guess its only a 2" true dual system... :doah: Oh well, works good enough for the horsepower I have..) and I had them weld on some nice chrome tips (will post pics when I can). Total cost came to 200 bucks.

While I was there I talked to the guy about changing over to single 3" exit (if and when I switch to a diesel motor..) he figured it would cost me around $400.00 for a complete exhaust system including a dynomax ultraflow muffler installed. Not too shabby considering they usually charge around 700 for a dual exaust setup.

He also mentioned this product as a lot of people are running them in their turbo'd diesels.. apparently they increase fuel mileage substancially and they sound really good (but loud): www.AeroExhaust.com
 
I think I'm going to go without mudflaps and save some money. That SEM clear chip guard sounds like the way to go (thanks ryoken). I've also been told that you can get clear plastic stuff too (same as clear bra products for the front of a car) although I don't know much about it
 
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