Does anybody have any suggestions on how I can stop this rust before it spreads or gets worst? No open areas but it is not getting any better. Its a 07 too! Arg! Any pointers are appreciated!

 

Bust it open, sand it down, match paint at store, and apply and WAX so it cant happen again.

Do you park near sprinklers?

 

only way to stop it for sure is to cut the rusted metal away and patch in new material. bubbling means it has come from inside and once the rust appears outside of the paint its too late. the rust damage is always much larger on the back side of the steel, especially in seams like the bottom of the doors. if it were mine, because at this point i wouldnt be ready to cut the bottom of my doors up i would grind it as clean as possible, coat it with some 3M rust converter, prime and paint. BTW, wax will not prevent rust, especially rust that comes from the inside. the best way to prevent rust is regular washings concentrating on dirt/ mud/ salt collection points like the doors, rockers, frame, tailgate lip, behind the fenders ect. when i wash my rigs i open the doors and spray the bottom inside seem to wash out any crud that has collected in them.

 

When I used to detail vehicles professionally, we used to spray a rust-inhibitor into the water-drainage spots in the doors and into the latches and stuff to prevent rust. I coated the inside of my doors as best as I could with the stuff.

My advice if you choose to tackle the rust, is to do it the right way the first time (sanding it down, priming, etc) as others have suggested

 

Wirelessly posted (Timberwolf)

Wow, thanks guys. Valuable info for sure. Im gonna go ahead with your suggestions this weekend. Im also going to remove the interior door panel and rust proof the best I can. I heard through here that our doors rust easy. Not sure if was a particular year or what. Thanks again

 

yeah, bottom of the doors and tailgate lip are the most common places of body rust on these trucks.

 

Wirelessly posted (Timberwolf)

Right on man. I tell ya, friggin winter months are fun as heck, yet so brutal on the truck. Salt:(

 

yeah no kidding

 

Wirelessly posted (Timberwolf)

Thanks will do

 

Also pull out the plastic plugs at the bottom of the doors.

 

Wirelessly posted (Timberwolf)

For water accumulation in the doors, yes?

 

The real reason the bottom of the doors rust out on our trucks is because in 1995 1/2 Ford quit putting a seal on the bottom lip of the door where it is welded together. The rust starts from moisture accumulation on the inside of the door in that welded lip. After it starts it just spreads like all rust does. The 93-95 1/2 trucks have that seal, if you find one at the JY (or have one) take a look, they will have no or minimal accumulation of rust on the bottom of the doors.

I've been waiting for a 93-95 1/2 toreador red Ranger to show up at my local Pull-A-Part with no door damage so I can finally have a clean set. Mine are just starting to bubble on the outside lip and the inside was completely rusted out. I sealed it with silicone and primed it to prevent further damage.

 

Yep, they just hold anything in and it begins to rust.

 

Wirelessly posted (Timberwolf)

That is just briliant engineering! Wow wtf.

 

It's called cost cutting lol.

The same reason 2010-2011 6ft bed Rangers have 8 bed bolts instead of 6. Cheaper metal in the body required more bolts to keep the bed down. They cut a lot of little things like that to save money and keep costs down for them and us.

 

Wirelessly posted (Timberwolf)

I guess it can be expected with Ranger models. Its sucks regardless. If I haaaaaaad the cash, I suppose I would get the Ford GT. Lol at least you would know they wouldnt cheap out on parts.

 

God, I'd hope not!