AD Rocker replacement - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

patrickk1 · 01-09-2010, 12:11 PM

I am working on replacing both rockers, both inner cab corners, and both lower inner door pillars. So far i have removed the lower door pillars but have yet to tack them in yet. A friend of mine said that in order to replace all of these things that the cab should be mounted on the frame with the doors on in order to keep correct door gaps. Currently i have the cab flipped on its back on my motorcycle lift so as to easy access to the bottom. I don't quite understand how any of these items will affect my door gaps, other than the lower door pillar of course. To me it would just seem easier to cut out the entire rocker and inner cab corner on one side, replace it, then move onto the next side.

What do you guys think?

54 jimmy · 01-09-2010, 01:24 PM

i did the same on my truck. the best thing to do is take some angel iron and tack it between the door opening and keep the cab upright perferable on the frame. this is to keep the cab from moving and causing lots of allignment issues. you are replacing the main structural support that keeps the cab floor straight and the cab square with the roof that is why this is important to do.

pgf545 · 01-09-2010, 01:59 PM

The reason is to keep everything square while you are cutting and welding. Keeping the doors on is a way to keep an eye on your door gaps to make sure that the cab is not sagging or moving. I didn't do that when I did the cab corners but I did test fit them while I was fitting everything. I did miss it a little but nothing that I can't fix pretty easily. The thing you don't want is when you get everything done the doors don't fit or the cab is out of square. Take a look at my build thread, I think I have some picture on there of when I was doing the work.

Bernie

dwcsr · 01-09-2010, 03:20 PM

My advice to you would be to tack it all in then fit the doors and if they are ok then weld it up. These old trucks will spring out of place when you cut off to much metal at one time. If your floor is good then you may not have an issue. Either way on it back or bottom some cross bracing should be done prior to cutiing out large sections.

50adrod · 01-09-2010, 08:25 PM

mine braced with rebar, cheap insurance. I welded to some old door hinge bolts and then to the body when I cut out the firewall and floor

solidaxel · 01-09-2010, 10:20 PM

When we cut our truck apart we shimmed the doors in place and then cut it apart and welded everything back together, then removed the doors

01-09-2010, 12:11 PM	#1
patrickk1 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Billerica, Ma Posts: 197	AD Rocker replacement I am working on replacing both rockers, both inner cab corners, and both lower inner door pillars. So far i have removed the lower door pillars but have yet to tack them in yet. A friend of mine said that in order to replace all of these things that the cab should be mounted on the frame with the doors on in order to keep correct door gaps. Currently i have the cab flipped on its back on my motorcycle lift so as to easy access to the bottom. I don't quite understand how any of these items will affect my door gaps, other than the lower door pillar of course. To me it would just seem easier to cut out the entire rocker and inner cab corner on one side, replace it, then move onto the next side. What do you guys think? __________________ - Patrick 1964 GMC pickup lwb ~ My newest build! 1937 Ford Coupe ~ Custom frame, LS1, quickchange 1950 Chevrolet 3100 ~ Bagged (Sold) 1931 Chrysler Roadster ~'32 Ford Frame, Channeled 8" (Originally a 60's show car) 1967 Chevelle ~ 454 Triple Black (Sold) 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS (Sold)

01-09-2010, 01:24 PM	#2
54 jimmy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: pittston,PA Posts: 1,184	Re: AD Rocker replacement i did the same on my truck. the best thing to do is take some angel iron and tack it between the door opening and keep the cab upright perferable on the frame. this is to keep the cab from moving and causing lots of allignment issues. you are replacing the main structural support that keeps the cab floor straight and the cab square with the roof that is why this is important to do. __________________ There is nothing you can't fix with a BFH or a FIRE WRENCH. 1997 chevy k1500 ext cab z71 (daily driver) sold 1996 chevy k1500 reg cab 4x4(daily driver)totaled 2008jeep patriot (wife's daily driver 2008 chevy 1500 ext cab 4x4 sold 2011 chevy 1500 crew cab ltz (daily driver) 1996 chevy 1500 reg cab 4x4 project sold 2006 pontiac grand prix gxp (daily work commuter)

01-09-2010, 01:59 PM	#3
pgf545 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Santa Fe,Texas Posts: 933	Re: AD Rocker replacement The reason is to keep everything square while you are cutting and welding. Keeping the doors on is a way to keep an eye on your door gaps to make sure that the cab is not sagging or moving. I didn't do that when I did the cab corners but I did test fit them while I was fitting everything. I did miss it a little but nothing that I can't fix pretty easily. The thing you don't want is when you get everything done the doors don't fit or the cab is out of square. Take a look at my build thread, I think I have some picture on there of when I was doing the work. Bernie __________________ 52 Chevy Truck (Dad's) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206021

01-09-2010, 03:20 PM	#4
dwcsr Hollister Road Co. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 6,131	Re: AD Rocker replacement My advice to you would be to tack it all in then fit the doors and if they are ok then weld it up. These old trucks will spring out of place when you cut off to much metal at one time. If your floor is good then you may not have an issue. Either way on it back or bottom some cross bracing should be done prior to cutiing out large sections. Last edited by dwcsr; 01-09-2010 at 08:41 PM.

01-09-2010, 08:25 PM	#5
50adrod Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 493	Re: AD Rocker replacement mine braced with rebar, cheap insurance. I welded to some old door hinge bolts and then to the body when I cut out the firewall and floor __________________ 1971 Corvette convertible 454@ 525 hp 1936 Chevy Truck street rod 1952 Chevy truck hot rod build http://www.killbillet.com/showthread...2-Chevy-Cut-up 1964 F 100 custom street rod http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/12...mark-viii.html 1950 custom Chevy Truck

01-09-2010, 10:20 PM	#6
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	Re: AD Rocker replacement When we cut our truck apart we shimmed the doors in place and then cut it apart and welded everything back together, then removed the doors Attached Images __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42



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