why did the striker post rust here

[suckerpunched]

I thought I finished with cutting out rust. I overlooked this spot. I really can't see why it rusted here, above the floor and not exposed from the back side. I scraped the undercoating road grime and mud off the back side and can see most of the panel. There are no other signs of rust other that this 3x3 area. Not to hot about changing the whole striker post. thinking about cutting into it, if it is only a small area I could probably fabricate a patch. Anyone have any suggestions? can a new post be put in without removing the rocker or quarter panel?

 

[broncnaz]

Anywhere there are seams it is a place that can/will rust also figure that mud can collect in that area which will hold moisture there longer as well so rust will from sooner or later.

You could probably just replace the rusted section. it would be way easier than replacing the whole thing

 

[hmh800]

Look on the backside. Is the area behind the post full of dirt/goo? Stuff can get in at the top, under the bed lip, but can't get out the bottom. I ended up cutting a small opening at the bottom of mine, after my daughter dropped some impact bits down there. Decided to keep it open so dirt/stuff couldn't collect there. Dumb design IMO.

 

[bax]

Because it can!

 

[Past_Miner]

I had one that was similar. It actually looked almost exactly the same before I put the wire wheel to it. I think it's more from water running down from a leaking top than anything else. You can defintely patch it easier than replacing the whole post.

 

[suckerpunched]

past-miner, i think you and hmh800 are right. I looks like the area behind the post on the inside of the cab where that support runs down at an angle from the bedrail down to the post is probably full of debris. Nice job on that patch, Thats what I am going to do. might open something up on the inside to let that area drain out too. Thats the same reason why my front posts rusted, they had about 3" of debris in the bottom that couldn't get out. Had gobbs of seam sealer on it to make sure nothing got out. I didn't seal it when I put it back together, but now I'm thinking I should drill a drain hole in the bottom of it to let dirt out.