removal of plastic side skirt

[bones005]

Hi guys,
A quick question. When I went to remove the plastic side skirt below the driver/passenger door of my zook, I noticed that the metal skirting underneath was rusted.
When I tried to remove it I noticed that it was spot welded on. Has anyone removed this metal skirt before? Or have any ideas about how to remove it without damaging the panel underneath.

It is a 1990 SWB Sierra.

Thanks,
Pat

[zookimal]

I think we've all done a few of these.

I use a spot weld drill bit. Bought it for about $15 I think. So much easier than trying to drill with normal bits or pry them off. The sheet metal is thin, you'll do well to get them off without making any holes in the panel below, especially if there's rust. Expect to do some repair work, but I'm sure you figured that anyway.

[Mudbits]

Yeah I always remove these on my Suzuki's. You need to get a spot weld drill bit and drill out the spot welds. These are available from engineering supply shops or automotive paint shops. You will probably go through on a few holes so will need to weld these up and fair and paint the sills. I usually do the drilling then get my panel beater to tidy up my mess.

[mrRocky]

leave the holes for weight reduction, spray with fish oil and cover with checker plate.

[brendan_h]

leave the holes for weight reduction, spray with fish oil and cover with checker plate.

yup i agree. in a zook even the smallest bit make a big differnce

[sheps]

leave the holes for weight reduction, spray with fish oil and cover with checker plate.

yup i agree. in a zook even the smallest bit make a big differnce

well there ya go. i thought i was being lazy, but now i can say it is a performance modification.

[jimbo jones]

yep I didnt even fix the rust holes just treated them painted them and fish oiled em them fitted some checker plate

[Rhett]

I used a big rock to take mine off years ago Don't know about not damaging the pannel underneath thou

[squeekiii]

just leave the holes exposed, ask homer simpson there "speed holes"

[11_evl]

I used a big rock to take mine off years ago Don't know about not damaging the pannel underneath thou

same,
than i teck screwed the plastic over the rust/ dent/ cut out part and would neva no the difference.
but i dont care about my cab. it cost f%#k all and serves a purpose

[lump_a_charcoal]

What is a spotweld drill bit?

[jimbo jones]

What is a spotweld drill bit?

its a special drill bit for drilling out spot welds

[zookimal]

What is a spotweld drill bit?

its a special drill bit for drilling out spot welds

[easeupturbo]

all i did was use a grinder and just ground the steel skirt where the spot welds are you'll see the skirt turn blue then a ring will apear through the metal , then just pry it off with a screw driver or something, no need to fix holes then took me about 15 mins includeing a prime coat

cheers damo

[lump_a_charcoal]

What is a spotweld drill bit?

its a special drill bit for drilling out spot welds

No shit, really?

[Lil'Loki]

all i did was use a grinder and just ground the steel skirt where the spot welds are you'll see the skirt turn blue then a ring will apear through the metal , then just pry it off with a screw driver or something, no need to fix holes then took me about 15 mins includeing a prime coat

cheers damo

Fark, your quick!
Did mine on the weekend and it took me about 20 - 30 mins each side, just to grind the spot welds and remove the steel skirting (I was being careful not to grind right through both sheets of metal). Then about another hour or so sanding and prepping the sills for the primer. Got pics!! When I get a chance I'll post them up.

I had seen so many posts regarding this and thought that I'd remove mine and I'm glad I did. I was surprised the amount of beach sand and other crapola that finds its way in there. Mine was only suffering minor surface rust so it was easily repaired.

This is definitely a thing to do if you haven't already done it. It will save a lot of repair work in the future if it is not too late already!