Rocker that fits

[718jwh]

Putting on new rockers on my 72 I have a Key parts rocker but it does not fit that well (see picture) anyone know a brand that fits better

Thanks
John

[Eddie H.]

I used Tri Plus the last time I replaced rockers. They fit like OEM.

[FlameOut]

I also used Tri-Plus. Fit great with no problems

[swamp rat]

Mine was the same so i did a pie slice and grafted in some metal.. I think i had Key parts also.

[GR8-68]

Okay here is a comparison for you the rockoer with my two fingers on is a nos GM rocker for drivers side and the other is a key parts rocker for passenger side, comparing the two they really are not to far off. And someone correct me if I am wrong but I believe key is only a distributor not a manufacturer. On my label it says tri plus no. GM27006r

[718jwh]

Larry
So the NOS rocker you have has the same distance between the bend and weatherstrip lip like in my picture ?
I got the Key rocker from LMC if that's a tri plus hate to order another one with same issue

John

[GR8-68]

I will run out and measure real quick

[GR8-68]

Label

[718jwh]

That looks like my label as well it says tri plus number wonder if that means it's made by tri plus or just referencing there number
The picture you sent looks like maybe there is more metal between bend and weatherstrip lip but hard to tell from back side
John

[GR8-68]

the measurements seem real close the biggest difference I would see and you can tell in my first pic is the radius's are a bit tighter on the nos rocker that may make the difference.

[GR8-68]

I saved your pic to my computer so I could enlarge it to see the trouble area better, are you positive you have enough cutout of the old rocker ? Even enlarging it it is hard to tell. Do you already have it tacked in ?

[718jwh]

It's not tacked in yet, I removed old rocker completely it's all original metal above rocker in picture but like swamp rat said I will need to cut the area between the weatherstrip lip and first bend to move the weatherstrip lip to line up with pillar then weld in a piece I was hoping to find a better fitting rocker instead
John

[718jwh]

Might be easier to see in this picture

[GR8-68]

For some reason that first 90 degree bend after the weather stripping lip looks real narrow compared to mine

[718jwh]

That's what I was thinking would you mind taking a picture of yours at about the same angle
John

[GR8-68]

I think it is their radius's that is making it not fit well. It is about a 1/2" right there. And the weatherstrip flange is also about a 1/2"

[elf w/capital T]

yeah that isn't fun and I used some wood and bent to fit lol

[718jwh]

Yeah that is it, thanks for your help Larry !! guess I am going to have to beat it in to submission.
John

[GR8-68]

The other thing I noticed compared to the nos one is the lip for the weather strip is to wide on the repro

[projectking]

https://tabcoparts.com/pickup-trucks...1967-1972.html

Throw that one away and try one from them. I'm not trying to offend anyone but regardless of the screen size that thing is dead wrong.

[swamp rat]

I was also told that Tri-Plus and Key parts are the same, i often wondered if its possible the die press sometimes does not stamp all the way and as such does not form the bends properly? Factory reject passed on to someone? One dealer gets the crap at a discounted price?

I also had to clearance the Tri Plus inner rocker around the A pillar area. And both my Tabco and Tri Plus A pillars needed a lot of persuasion to get aligned.

I have seen and subscribed to a thread showing all the cab corners stacked on top of each other and it looked like the Tabco was the best, i'm still undecided on the outer rockers tho.

[Gmc.guy]

I use the same name parts a few times a year (rockers,cab corners, inner rockers) for the square body trucks 73+. There is a big difference in parts. I have had terrible parts that were short and exchange for another and its same as before but fitting perfect. I have done that a few times. If the 2 one is better I make it fit

[Gmc.guy]

^^ I mean semi major fails. Not simple tweaks and pulls

[GR8-68]

Pretty good video from brotherstrucks.com

https://youtu.be/plkeMVRUcyI

[718jwh]

Going to order a Tabco rocker and see if it fits better I will let you know when I get it

Thanks everyone
John