Replacing rusty rocker panels

[Gigem]

The only real rust on my 72 GMC is the rocker panels. I know the replacement panels are not very expensive, but I am not a body man by any stretch. What do you think the labor would be for a decent shop to cut out the rusty rockers and replace with new metal?

I don't want a bunch of time and effort put into the paint. Truck has original paint with a lot of patina. I don't care that the patches will show. Could be primer for all I really care. I am just wanting fresh metal in there.

Any thoughts?

[Thealien]

Here in MA I have been quoted $1500-$3500 per side not including paint. The shop I will be using is the one that quoted me $3500 per side. I have seen his work and he does quality work and does it correct.

[Gigem]

Originally Posted by Thealien

Here in MA I have been quoted $1500-$3500 per side not including paint. The shop I will be using is the one that quoted me $3500 per side. I have seen his work and he does quality work and does it correct.

WOW! No chance I am doing that. My truck wouldn't be worth $7000 unless I had $5000 in the glove box.

Thanks.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Gigem

WOW! No chance I am doing that. My truck wouldn't be worth $7000 unless I had $5000 in the glove box.

Thanks.

I did mine many years ago using real GM rocker panels. The old ones came out pretty easy. All you have to do is drill out the spot welds, and you can buy a special bit for that. I had a friend MIG weld in the new ones, and I primed and painted them using Dupli-color rattle can paint that matched my truck color.

The prices above are effing ridiculous. I'd say $500 total would be a fair price if you give the paint/body guy the rocker panels. Even at a shop willing to take on the job, I doubt it would be more than $1,000. I don't know about your area, but in North Texas there are more than a few body shop guys who moonlight.

[Bones72Super]

I could help or do it for you

[custom10nut]

Is there a detailed thread on this?
I have the means to do this work myself, but I’m apprehensive to start.
The reason for asking is that I’ve seen some pretty elaborate bracing in place to hold the cab square.
Are these needed?

[hugger6933]

If your inner rocker panels are solid you won't need any bracing, depending on various things I'd say $1000 bucks would do it at my shop maybe a little less. The main problem when someone asks for rockers you end up [a lot of times] replacing A and B pillars and inner rocker panels along with floor patches and possibly cab mounts and also foot well panels and maybe even cab corners. The above poster is correct it is no big deal to do just the rockers but it is the hidden stuff or stuff you can not see until you tear into it.
I did a job late last year the cab had original paint but clearly need new rockers that ended up getting all the parts I mentioned above with small exceptions of B pillars and cab corners. Good luck If I can help you through it I'd be more than happy to. Jim

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Bones72Super

I could help or do it for you

You and Gigem are neighbors, right? How cool is that?

[Gigem]

Originally Posted by Bones72Super

I could help or do it for you

Cool! I will reach out to you to look at it when I am ready. Getting some wiring done at the moment. Thanks!

[Bones72Super]

Originally Posted by Gigem

Cool! I will reach out to you to look at it when I am ready. Getting some wiring done at the moment. Thanks!

Sounds good, I'm pretty sure I have the passenger side eyebrow you're missing also

[franken]

Originally Posted by custom10nut

Is there a detailed thread on this?
I have the means to do this work myself, but I’m apprehensive to start.
The reason for asking is that I’ve seen some pretty elaborate bracing in place to hold the cab square.
Are these needed?

There are many threads about this as well as many youtube videos. While it's a 63, have a look at gibson63 on youtube for one and do a search for 67-72 vids.
Years ago there was a guy selling rocker and cab corner replacement DVDs here that said the cab bracing wasn't needed.
What the post after yours said is quite true. Once you start you'll probably find that work on the inner is needed as well, not to mention corners and braces...

[Gigem]

Originally Posted by Bones72Super

Sounds good, I'm pretty sure I have the passenger side eyebrow you're missing also

That would be great!

[OL SKOOL]

Originally Posted by hugger6933

If your inner rocker panels are solid you won't need any bracing, depending on various things I'd say $1000 bucks would do it at my shop maybe a little less. The main problem when someone asks for rockers you end up [a lot of times] replacing A and B pillars and inner rocker panels along with floor patches and possibly cab mounts and also foot well panels and maybe even cab corners. The above poster is correct it is no big deal to do just the rockers but it is the hidden stuff or stuff you can not see until you tear into it.
I did a job late last year the cab had original paint but clearly need new rockers that ended up getting all the parts I mentioned above with small exceptions of B pillars and cab corners. Good luck If I can help you through it I'd be more than happy to. Jim

What hugger says here is 99.9% true. The rockers are usually the tip of the iceberg.

[custom10nut]

I was figuring this. I grew up in Northern Michigan and did quite a few “Rust Repair” jobs in a shop that I worked in, and what you see on the surface is just the tip of the iceberg.
I’m planning on having to replace my inner panels, as the sill plate and Door Seal lip are showing rust.
I can’t see any rust from underneath, but I haven’t opened it up to see what’s inside. I’m hoping for the best case, and find that the inners are fine and I just need the the outer.

[landarts]

Here is the best rocker replacement thread on this forum by a very talented fabricator. You do not need to be body and fender guy to do this, just follow the steps and you can also buy paint in a spray can color matched at Napa Auto stores that have a paint department. Even if you get a few runs that can be buffed or wet sanded to look great.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=271066

[hugger6933]

OLSKOOL you sayin I am .01 percent lying? I think I can live with those numbers !!!!! LOL!!

[May70]

I have instructional videos up on my youtube channel to do all of it if you want to give it a try.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by landarts

Here is the best rocker replacement thread on this forum by a very talented fabricator.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=271066

Man, that was some seriously bad rust! Nothing like that at all on my 69, even more than 20 years after replacing the outer rockers. Of course, it's been a Texas truck all its life, except for 4 years in Colorado.

[ChevyRacefan]

3500.00 per side.
puff puff pass.
7k for rockers.
Love to hear what the shop name is that quoted a price like that.

[OL SKOOL]

Originally Posted by hugger6933

OLSKOOL you sayin I am .01 percent lying? I think I can live with those numbers !!!!! LOL!!

Jim my son had a body shop and i have been following you on the bodywork forum forever. Always good info Thank you.

[hugger6933]

Thanks for the respect I try to help out

[Southpaw69]

Originally Posted by hugger6933

If your inner rocker panels are solid you won't need any bracing, depending on various things I'd say $1000 bucks would do it at my shop maybe a little less. The main problem when someone asks for rockers you end up [a lot of times] replacing A and B pillars and inner rocker panels along with floor patches and possibly cab mounts and also foot well panels and maybe even cab corners. The above poster is correct it is no big deal to do just the rockers but it is the hidden stuff or stuff you can not see until you tear into it.
I did a job late last year the cab had original paint but clearly need new rockers that ended up getting all the parts I mentioned above with small exceptions of B pillars and cab corners. Good luck If I can help you through it I'd be more than happy to. Jim

Indeed. Mine had a little rust hole near the front of the rocker. After stripping paint and seeing what was really going on, i replaced inner/outer rocker, kick panel and A pillar bottom. The reality of these old trucks.