Holes!

[Lippyp]

Finished removing the carpet from the truck yesterday and had a better poke around. I have a definite hole in the bottom of the passenger kick panel although whats inside seems solid. There are a series of small rust holes at the edge of the floor where the passenger rocker panel joins (just in that dipped section) The edge of the rocker panel that side where the door seal mounts has rusted off along most of its length although the front half looks like its been patched as it's just a plain seperate piece of newer steel without the little lip at the top. So it looks like I need to replace the rocker panel that side. The back of the rocker seems solid from underneath though. The dorr seal flange on the drivers side is just starting to hole although it's in much better shape than the passenger side as is the kick panel. I guess I should really do the pair at the same time rather than let the drivers one deteriorate any more. I also intend to pull the seat and gas tank, reseal all the seams after grinding the surface rust off and paint the whole thing with POR15 before the new carpet goes in.

I was thinking about ordering the rockers, inner rockers panels, and possibly the lower kick panel repair sections from GMC paul, having dealt with him in the past. Anyone used his rocker panels, do they fit well? I have to make sure I get all the panels I'm likely to need as being in the UK means it's takes some time to get stuff like this, as you have shipping times, customs hold ups etc.

This will be the first real bodywork I've done other than minor repairs involving large tubs of bondo on past old cars. I have a decent mig welder (sip migmate 150amp turbo) and can weld reasonably well, the kick panels will be carpeted so the odd lump won't be too noticeable! The big problem is all this rust has been caused by a leaking rain gutter so I've got to dig all the sealant out and reseal it before I do the repairs. I'm also going to have to find a bodyship with a paintbooth big to fit the thing in to paint the repairs as I don't have painting facilities.

Oh well, it was worse than I hoped but better than it could have been, at least the cab corners and floor are solid.

[67ChevyRedneck]

At least your going to be fixing it the right way. I'm sure the guys from the north east US and canada don't feel sorry for you (They typically have to replace every panel)

[Lippyp]

Heres some pics of the grotty bits:

Drivers side kick panel not too bad, think it just needs a clean up, prime, paint and new seam sealer



Drivers rocker, starting to go along the top flange



Passenger side kick, a few holes at the bottom, the wet bit is from the water leak in the rain gutter.



Passenger rocker, note the added speed holes in the edge of the floor



Top flange where the door seal fits totally rusted off, the front part of the rocker has been patched at some time.

[68haywagon]

Thats it Phhh I have more rust on my foot than that

Make sure you keep us posted....that really isn't that bad.

MIke

[Lippyp]

Thanks for the reassurance, it was originally a california truck before it came to the UK so I guess a dry part of California away from the coast! Still, theres several colours of paint under the yellow that almost certainly will be hiding something!

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by Lippyp

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I was thinking about ordering the rockers, inner rockers panels, and possibly the lower kick panel repair sections from GMC paul, having dealt with him in the past. Anyone used his rocker panels, do they fit well? I have to make sure I get all the panels I'm likely to need as being in the UK means it's takes some time to get stuff like this, as you have shipping times, customs hold ups etc.
stuff deleted...

I bought both a set of rockers from GMC Paul's. I so far have only installed the passenger side.

It fit like it was supposed to. I didn't have to tweak, bend, add, or subtract any from the panel.

You might want to crawl underneath and check your cab supports. They too may need replacing.

I've posted these before. Here is what the panels from GMC Paul's look like:

[Lippyp]

Cab supports are fine, the rot seems to have come more from the inside due to the leaking gutter. Nice job there.

[68haywagon]

Here's a little more reassurance for you...My rockers

[Lippyp]

,,engage James Brown mode>> I feeel good da da laldaladada! <<disengage James Brown Mode>> That would never be allowed near the road in a month of sundays here in the UK, our annual MoT test (annual safety check) deosn't allow any serious rust within something like five inches of any structural metal like a body mount etc.

[dwaite72lnghrn]

That rocker of 68haywagon rusted like that in 3 months here in Pennsylvania!LOL

[68C15]

and here i thought they came from the factory like that.

reminds me of a line quoted here before.

what's the rarest 67-72 GM truck? one that is rust free & un-molested.

[wibilly]

68 i belive that is one of the truest statements i have ever herd

[edmonton72]

You're pretty lucky that you still have your rockers. Mine were rusted right of from all the snow and salt from these Canadian winters. I remember when I was driving my truck home I couldn't stop laughing because I could see the road through were the rocker panels should have been.

P.S. How did you get that truck shipped to England. Was it pretty costly and how about registering it there.

[Lippyp]

I bought it here, I am I think the third UK owner, its been here for about 15 years in all. It may well have come over with a US serviceman as it was locatedin an area that has lots of US airbases. It's easier to get an old vehicle registered over here as the requirments aren't as tough as a modern one. I have a friend thats just imported a 2004 Ford expedition, he had a shipping company do the whole thing for him.