Rocker Panel Install Details - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

SouthpawGarage · 08-14-2016, 03:55 PM

Hello folks,

I searched through several posts about rocker panels looking for some more detailed info on exactly how to get those aftermarket rockers to fit. Most of what I saw were pictures of a truck without a rocker and then in the next picture a truck with a rocker. I was looking for some more insight on the process, and saw a tidbit here and a suggestion there, but nothing specifically dedicated to this problem. (Not to say it’s not out there, there’s an awful lot of knowledge to sift through on this forum.)

To that end I decided to share my experiences with fitting my first one. I wouldn’t say it’s a how-to – every situation is different – and I’m no expert (as mentioned, it’s my first time), but maybe this will help someone. You more knowledgeable folks feel free to make any comments or suggestions.

The panels I’m using are from Key Parts. Not sure which major vendor sells these, I got mine at a swap meet. I’ve read where other guys have had good luck with this brand, but I’m not impressed.

First thing I did was bolt the door back on temporarily and get it lined up. I won’t get into that process here, that’s on other threads. Mostly time and patience.

The rocker did not fit well at all. It’s almost as if it were slightly too long. Maybe I messed up when doing the door/pillar work? Driver’s side was the same way.

Looking at the trailing edge of the panel I could see it wasn’t quite right.

Ground it down a bit and it improved the fitment at the rear.

At the front, made a relief cut at one corner. Turned out to be the first of many, which are visible in subsequent photos.

After another trial fit and manipulating the panel around some I decided I needed to trim down some of the edges on the cab as indicated on the pictures.

This is a new floor pan, I had to trim it even all the way across the bottom. NOTE: Don’t forget to cut the new notch in for the rocker drain. Despite telling myself this I had to do it at the end from underneath with a dremel.

Some relief cuts at the back. Did some hammering in the corner while it was clamped in place.

Relief cuts at the front. I had to make a new bend because the one that was there was nowhere close. Sorry, no pics of doing that. I ran a relief cut through the badly positioned crease, put in a new crease with a pair of needlenose pliers, flattened out the metal where the bad crease had been and welded it back up.

Once I was reasonably happy with the fit I prepped the rocker and the cab for installation. Drilled the holes in the rocker for the plug welds and cleaned the corresponding locations on the cab to bare metal.

Before starting with the welding the door was put back on to make sure the gap was okay.

Got a few plug welds in.

After a bit of hammering to get the rest of the creases lined up I welded up some of the relief cuts.

Didn’t like some of the gaps left by the relief cuts so I borrowed some metal from the old rocker and use it to fill in.

All ground down and hit with a flap disk.

A coat of cheap paint to protect the bare metal until the cab goes off to be blasted.

The finished product. Not perfect but after the seam sealer and skim coat should look good enough. Like I said, this is my first rocker.

Let me know if you found this helpful. Or useless. Any input from more experienced users is more than welcome. Thanks for reading.

oldarky66 · 08-14-2016, 04:46 PM

Speaking as a complete novice I think you did a fine job, especially considering all the adjustments you had to make in the beginning. I have been on this site a long time hoping to prepare myself as well as possible to begin my build. I appreciate you and all the others who take the time to share regardless of experience level.
You are right though, sometimes the little details seem to left out, maybe because of time constraints or just taking for granted we should know what to do. The good news is I don't know if I've ever seen a posted question go unaddressed. Thanks again a good luck with the rest of your build.

Wade

LT1 Burb · 08-14-2016, 06:15 PM

That's exactly why I bought a pair of NOS ones for 300.00

**Backpayne** · 08-14-2016, 06:21 PM

What perfect timing! I have been looking into replacine both rocker panels.

Looking at the fitment of these, I'm a little nervous now. Is there a brand that requires little to no modification?

racecougar · 08-14-2016, 07:05 PM

Looks good. That's par for the course regarding fitment of overseas stampings. I had to do much the same regarding relief cuts, re-shaping, and welding. The only thing I did a bit differently was to plug weld the bottom edge from under the cab, meaning the holes were punched in the floor pan rather than the rocker panel.

60chevyjim · 08-14-2016, 09:48 PM

I used inner and outer rockers from lmc they fit about the same.
but I have been doing this kind of stuff >auto body repair < for about 40 years
using a lot of aftermarket body repair panels on 50's and 60's cars n trucks .
some parts fit good some fit like crap .
some cars that I do they don't even make the parts for so I have to make some stuff from scratch like some of 1930's and 40's cadillacs that I restored a few years ago .

I cut and trimmed the front of the first lmc 65 C10 rocker because I didn't like the fit
but when I did the second one I found that by compressing the rocker from top to bottom it fits much better than the first one did.
when they come out of the press when they make them they relax and open up a little from top to bottom so they need to be compressed a little bit and they will fit much better .
I got both inner and outer rockers done on the first of the two 65 C-10's that im building
now . a frame off rebuild for my friend and
my rat 65 C-10 that im building from his parts truck and all the left over scraps and
some new parts for safety .

dracko · 08-15-2016, 02:30 AM

Turned out very nice. Mine needed the same modifications on both sides.

Just wondering, did you test fit with the door on? My passenger side rocker I had to cut lengthwise and widen 1/4" because it wasn't sitting flush with the bottom of the door. The drivers side I had to put some shims between the rocker and floor to get the gap right.

SouthpawGarage · 08-16-2016, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dracko

Turned out very nice. Mine needed the same modifications on both sides.

Just wondering, did you test fit with the door on? My passenger side rocker I had to cut lengthwise and widen 1/4" because it wasn't sitting flush with the bottom of the door. The drivers side I had to put some shims between the rocker and floor to get the gap right.

Actually I ended up putting the door on and taking it off a number of times during the process. I don't remember how many times now. And no, it didn't really sit flush with the bottom either at first, but I was able to work the door to get it close.

andyh1956 · 08-16-2016, 10:07 AM

It's no wonder that rocker didn't fit- you got the cab sitting at an angle!

But that's a good job, just think what it would cost to have a shop do that! The 1st rocker I ever did was on an old K5 Blazer & I had to braze it together, didn't have a MIG welder!

Again, good job!

patrickk1 · 08-16-2016, 11:19 AM

Like others have said, this is par for the course. Some panels are easier than others. After you do a couple body parts (not necessarily rockers), it gets easier. You'll see where you need the relief cuts quicker and you have more faith in your yourself that you are doing the correct thing to fix the part. Many times I have found that lower fender corner patch panels are off by a quarter to 1/2" in width. The quick fix is to cut a slit in the wider part and pie cut the other to get them to meet on a smooth transition. Once it's welded and sanded, you could never tell the difference.

oldusafmsgt · 08-17-2016, 01:18 PM

All reproduction sheetmetal, and most reproducttion parts period, come from one place, China. Quality is hit and miss . Most will need massaging to fit correctly. All suppliers get the same parts, so shop around for the best price and customer service.

**AngryPirate** · 08-17-2016, 09:55 PM

Nice. I'm about to do mine as well as the piece before it further inside the cab

Thanks!

RANDY COX · 08-18-2016, 05:48 PM

Good Job...looks good to me...

Bigru · 08-18-2016, 06:08 PM

Nice work!

Indian113 · 08-18-2016, 06:41 PM

Thanks for taking detailed pictures, really helps and looks good.

bstash19 · 08-18-2016, 06:58 PM

nice job.

yours definitely came out a lot better than mine, although i think part of the reason was that i had to replace the outer 12" of both sides of the cab floor. i didn't really have any good spots to work my fitment off of.

SouthpawGarage · 01-02-2019, 11:34 PM

I went back to refer to this post the other day and found that all the pictures were gone. I am reposting with the pictures again. I like to keep this thread in my back pocket, so to speak. Doing my best to remember where the pics fit!

Hello folks,

I searched through several posts about rocker panels looking for some more detailed info on exactly how to get those aftermarket rockers to fit. Most of what I saw were pictures of a truck without a rocker and then in the next picture a truck with a rocker. I was looking for some more insight on the process, and saw a tidbit here and a suggestion there, but nothing specifically dedicated to this problem. (Not to say it’s not out there, there’s an awful lot of knowledge to sift through on this forum.)

To that end I decided to share my experiences with fitting my first one. I wouldn’t say it’s a how-to – every situation is different – and I’m no expert (as mentioned, it’s my first time), but maybe this will help someone. You more knowledgeable folks feel free to make any comments or suggestions.

The panels I’m using are from Key Parts. Not sure which major vendor sells these, I got mine at a swap meet. I’ve read where other guys have had good luck with this brand, but I’m not impressed.