Patch panel alignment (rocker)

[Garagely5150]

So I'm half embarrassed to say this bc I've been a bodyman for 15 years but I'm having a hell of a time getting my patch panels aligned. I'm doing the floors rockers cab corners kick panels body mounts and floor braces on my truck and I can't get the putter rocker to line up it's like it's too short and doesn't reach. I got Everything from brothers bc I heard they were good. But I'm used to using factory replacement parts and these nothing like factory. Idk how anyone is gonna be able to assist me with out physically being here but maybe some advice will help. Thanks in advance

[Garagely5150]

Here's my cab on the cab dolly

[mongocanfly]

There's many a man on here that'll feel your pain..

[Nick_R_23]

I hate to sound like a smartass, but if it's too short, can you simply cut the panel in half and weld it on each end so it fits well, then fill in the center?

[rwhit57]

I'm sure there's guys here way more experienced at this than me, but I've done a few. Some of these parts and trucks aren't exactly perfect so I know the frustration. I would think you would want the doors hung and make sure everything fits before cutting and welding. I know you can shim fenders and doors but I would think it's best to make sure it all fits first.

[cadillac_al]

I'm not quite seeing it. You mean the tops of the rocker isn't matching the door frame perfectly? I think that could be massaged and hammered down a little. I would see how it fits around your door to see if it is really too short to fit around the door. I have to tackle the same job next week.

Many people say a rust free cab isn't worth $1000 but it would be to me. This is quite a bit of work to make a solid cab.

[Garagely5150]

The pic i posted is from when I had the door off and I used a ratchet strap to pull the cab 2gether bc I thought it had opened up bc of having the floor and everything cut out. I pulled the door opening together until the rocker fit then tacked a brace the tried the door. I couldn't get the door lined up to save my life bc it was aftermarket. I got some factory doors last wknd and got it aligned no problem. But I cut the brace off the door opening and let the cab go back when I Lined the new door up. I think the cab is still square

[cooperhw]

I agree with another poster that I would hang the doors you plan to use, then maybe install a square tube to maintain that opening. Pull the doors and "make the rockers fit the cab" instead of trying to pull the cab in to fit the rockers. It's just metal, hack it apart and spread it out a little.
"I know, you shouldn't have to", but, one size woman don't fit all either.

[mongocanfly]

In hindsite you should have welded all kinds of x- braces in the door opening and across cab...before you ever started cutting out all the old metal and fitting the new parts... and not remove them until you were done..

[Garagely5150]

Yea I know that. But I forgot. I will brace the driver side b4 I cut anything

[wazzabie]

take measurements and compare https://ck5.com/forums/attachments/1...wd-pdf.145040/

use gm rockers. they can be found stil for about 150

[3drburb]

I don't know if you are still dealing with this but I would think that if you reverse most steps you can then go forward.
Remove the rocker.
Hang the door.
Remove one side of the weld on the brace.
Line up the both doors.
Re weld brace.
Add braces to both sides including to the floors.
Start adding sheet metal.
Good luck moving forward.