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

foxyjoe · 07-30-2003, 08:56 AM

Any tips on removing rocker panels in preparation of replacing them?

dubie · 07-30-2003, 09:47 AM

I just layed the new one over the existing one , traced the line and cut it out with a grinder and cutting disc.

sweet n rare67 · 07-30-2003, 10:50 AM

just started to do my floor and rockers last weekend and when i had about half of the floor cut out i just checked how much it was going to cover. then i ground out the welds, got the floor back in place and tacked it in place. it is harder than is sounds though.
Good luck

foxyjoe · 08-02-2003, 01:27 PM

I started to drill out the spot welds, which is a clean way but can be time consuming! Anyone try this? I don't know if will work alng the floor pan though.

Southpa · 08-02-2003, 01:53 PM

The hard part is locating the spot welds. Your old rocker is trash anyway, right? So it won't hurt to use a little well-placed force and leverage here and there. Take a sharp edged prybar and start tearing it out. When you locate a spot weld don't pull any further, you will rip the metal underneath, you want to keep that. Drill out the top layer of metal, pry again and it should pop off. Then continue until you find the next spot weld. I've heard some people raving about spot weld cutting bits. I priced them out and found that they weren't, aren't and won't be used by me.

foxyjoe · 08-02-2003, 02:11 PM

Thanks for the tip!

A friend gave me some of the spot weld cutters you mention. They work well, but the spot weld on the truck are so small in diameter that a 1/8" drill works fine.

See ya!

07-30-2003, 08:56 AM	#1
foxyjoe Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Holland, Ohio, USA Posts: 10	Rocker panels Any tips on removing rocker panels in preparation of replacing them?

07-30-2003, 09:47 AM	#2
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,853	I just layed the new one over the existing one , traced the line and cut it out with a grinder and cutting disc. __________________ 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

08-02-2003, 01:53 PM	#5
Southpa Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 2,409	The hard part is locating the spot welds. Your old rocker is trash anyway, right? So it won't hurt to use a little well-placed force and leverage here and there. Take a sharp edged prybar and start tearing it out. When you locate a spot weld don't pull any further, you will rip the metal underneath, you want to keep that. Drill out the top layer of metal, pry again and it should pop off. Then continue until you find the next spot weld. I've heard some people raving about spot weld cutting bits. I priced them out and found that they weren't, aren't and won't be used by me. __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Original 350/TH350 Victoria, BC, Canada You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. See which one gets filled first. Last edited by Southpa; 08-02-2003 at 03:56 PM.

07-30-2003, 10:50 AM	#3
sweet n rare67 Young truck fanatic Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: The wonderful Mat-Su Valley....Palmer, Ak Posts: 253	just started to do my floor and rockers last weekend and when i had about half of the floor cut out i just checked how much it was going to cover. then i ground out the welds, got the floor back in place and tacked it in place. it is harder than is sounds though. Good luck

08-02-2003, 01:27 PM	#4
foxyjoe Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Holland, Ohio, USA Posts: 10	I started to drill out the spot welds, which is a clean way but can be time consuming! Anyone try this? I don't know if will work alng the floor pan though.

08-02-2003, 02:11 PM	#6
foxyjoe Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Holland, Ohio, USA Posts: 10	Thanks for the tip! A friend gave me some of the spot weld cutters you mention. They work well, but the spot weld on the truck are so small in diameter that a 1/8" drill works fine. See ya!



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