first truck, same old quetions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

sixnine · 10-25-2002, 03:12 PM

I'll probably be asking questions you've all heard a million times, but I'd appreciate some answers.

The rocker panels are rusted (duh!) on my '69 Chevy. I'd like to replace them myself. Which type of panel replacement is best? There seems to be more than a few different sizes. The rocker panels are bad and the rust extends onto the door sill and the edge of the cab floor. Will there be enough metal on the replacement rocker panel to extend to the door sill and floor edge? My plan is to try the new "weldless" system that Eastwood has. So there needs to be enough material on the new panels edge to flange and rivet. Will I have to cut out the cab supports and re-attatch them once I'm done with the replacement?

Also, I love the look of the 67-68 GMC front end. If I can find a decent used one, it should just bolt-up, shouldn't it?

Thank you for your ideas,

sixnine

dubie · 10-25-2002, 03:33 PM

You don't have to remove the cab corner to replace the rockers. And the front clip will not bolt up unless you get the rad support. 67/68 were the same and 69-72 were the same. So for the swap, you will need the fenders, grill, hood and rad support for it to bolt right up.
Good luck with your project and feel free to ask any question, no matter how big or small.

bobs409 · 10-26-2002, 08:18 AM

I did my rockers and used the cheapy ones from J.C Whitney. These don't go as far as an OEM type but are alot less money. In my case I welded mine in and just used some scrap sheetmetal from an old hood to make up for any shortages of the rocker panel on each end. Not sure how you could do this with the Eastwood product.

Depending on the amount of rust, even the OEM type rockers might not go far enough in this area.

Most times, a portion of the floor will also be rotted. I bought a patch panel for this but this part can easily be made with some scrap from an old hood or door.

sixnine · 10-26-2002, 01:06 PM

Thanks for the ideas guys. I guess I'll just jump right in and get my hands dirty. That's usually the best way to get experience anyway.

sixnine

THOR 50 · 10-26-2002, 06:24 PM

I used '69 GMC fenders and grill (I like the double headlights), a '67 Hood latch and '67-'68 Grill top bar to put the '67 hood on. Didn't need to do any changes to the radiator support except add the correct headlight buckets.

10-25-2002, 03:12 PM	#1
sixnine Longtime Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Over Yonder (DFW) Posts: 171	first truck, same old questions I'll probably be asking questions you've all heard a million times, but I'd appreciate some answers. The rocker panels are rusted (duh!) on my '69 Chevy. I'd like to replace them myself. Which type of panel replacement is best? There seems to be more than a few different sizes. The rocker panels are bad and the rust extends onto the door sill and the edge of the cab floor. Will there be enough metal on the replacement rocker panel to extend to the door sill and floor edge? My plan is to try the new "weldless" system that Eastwood has. So there needs to be enough material on the new panels edge to flange and rivet. Will I have to cut out the cab supports and re-attatch them once I'm done with the replacement? Also, I love the look of the 67-68 GMC front end. If I can find a decent used one, it should just bolt-up, shouldn't it? Thank you for your ideas, sixnine __________________ Rokcrln - *"I'm a major car addict so trying to go as low buck as possible is like asking a coke head to use flower to save money."* 1972 C10 Short Step -http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=261405 Last edited by sixnine; 10-25-2002 at 04:39 PM.

10-25-2002, 03:33 PM	#2
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,855	You don't have to remove the cab corner to replace the rockers. And the front clip will not bolt up unless you get the rad support. 67/68 were the same and 69-72 were the same. So for the swap, you will need the fenders, grill, hood and rad support for it to bolt right up. Good luck with your project and feel free to ask any question, no matter how big or small. __________________ My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795

10-26-2002, 08:18 AM	#3
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	I did my rockers and used the cheapy ones from J.C Whitney. These don't go as far as an OEM type but are alot less money. In my case I welded mine in and just used some scrap sheetmetal from an old hood to make up for any shortages of the rocker panel on each end. Not sure how you could do this with the Eastwood product. Depending on the amount of rust, even the OEM type rockers might not go far enough in this area. Most times, a portion of the floor will also be rotted. I bought a patch panel for this but this part can easily be made with some scrap from an old hood or door. __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

10-26-2002, 06:24 PM	#5
THOR 50 Over worked under paid Join Date: May 2001 Location: Fort Myers, Florida Posts: 378	Using a '67 hood I used '69 GMC fenders and grill (I like the double headlights), a '67 Hood latch and '67-'68 Grill top bar to put the '67 hood on. Didn't need to do any changes to the radiator support except add the correct headlight buckets. __________________ Roger '69 C-10 with GMC front clip billet grill, 283CI, 400TH and 12bolt posiw/3.73 gears Last edited by THOR 50; 10-26-2002 at 06:27 PM.

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10-26-2002, 01:06 PM	#4
sixnine Longtime Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Over Yonder (DFW) Posts: 171	Thanks for the ideas guys. I guess I'll just jump right in and get my hands dirty. That's usually the best way to get experience anyway. sixnine



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