OEM Rockers vs Aftermarket Rockers

[Captainfab]

I did a quick search and didn't find anything concerning my question.

Has anyone bought the actual OEM rocker panels for the '67-'72's and are they exactly like the ones originally on the trucks? I've got a set of rockers made by Key Parts and I'm really not happy with them. I know everyone says that all aftermarket parts need a little work, but these need quite a bit of work to get them to where I will be happy with the results. I'm just thinking I may be better off getting the OEM ones instead of re-working these aftermarket ones. Especially since it is a customers truck, I don't want to have to explain to him why I have "X" number of hours re-working the new rockers. I've already spent several hours re-working the other parts I've installed. Some guys just don't understand....

[special-K]

Most folks don`t understand what it takes to do someone else`s job.The problem is they need to start understanding.Does that customer want to wait for you to locate a pair of minimum $100 a piece N.O.S. rockers?i`m sure it would be less money vs your time,but locating them is time,not that it`s all charged time.What are the problems you`re having,overall?

[70cst]

In the Circuit Rider's resto...I had an option of NOS rockers or repops. I purchased repops from one of our Site Vendors and Curt (he is doing the resto) said these went in w/o any issues and the quality was top notch. That was my experience. I have bee told there are various makers of these rockers and the quality varies. There are good repops.

[special-K]

Isn`t Key Parts Tri-Plus?The best repro.

[Curt's_72]

My experience has been the aftermarket rockers are fine. I scored a set at a swap meet for cheap and they weren't even from the same manufacturer. The guy doing my bodywork had no issues installing them. His issue was reworking previous shoddy cab corner repair. I'd use OEM if these parts were easy to aquire and reasonable in cost, but in most cases they aren't.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by special-K

Isn`t Key Parts Tri-Plus?The best repro.

I think the rockers that I used came from Tri-Pro Automotive.

[leddzepp]

You can still get NOS ones from gmpartsdirect.com, but they are pricey.

[Livrat]

I have installed dozens of sets of both OEM rockers and the Tri-plus/key parts ones..
Even have used the very early other manufacturers repros.. (those are horrible).

Even the OEM ones do not always fit.. same of the Tri- plus ones.. but personally I will always use the new versions of the aftermarket ones over the OEM ones because to me they are "stupid expensive" (you can buy dozen Tri-plus ones for the price of a pair of OEM) plus the quality and fit is the same if not at times, better (the tri plus ones even weigh 1 lb more than OEM) .. but every truck is different.. an OEM part from one truck will not fit great on a different truck..

On a side note. Just in case you are interested I do have a set of NOS ones that have been sitting on my shelf for at least 20 years that I would sell.. $250 plus shipping

[Skirkpat]

When I bought mine at Chevy duty about three years ago, I held both NOS and repop, compared the opposite side to the other back to back, and could find no noticible difference, I bought the repop. Classic still sels the NOS if interested, but they have gone up from the 80.00 that I thought was outrageous.

[mbgmike]

We install them without many problems. Of course we may not know what a problem is anymore cause we just do it without thinking. I have not installed an OEM rocker that fit any better or worse than a TriPlus one. the rockers are usually one of the easiest part to install. There are some crappy rockers being sold however. Each truck is a little differant.

[STP67-72]

I have used both. I have put dozens on through the years. I built a truck years ago that had one of each and nobody could tell me which was GM. Triplus parts fit the best. If they do not say that i want use them or sell them. I have GM rockers that i just keep saving for my keeper trucks one day. Good luck.

[Captainfab]

Originally Posted by special-K

Most folks don`t understand what it takes to do someone else`s job.The problem is they need to start understanding.Does that customer want to wait for you to locate a pair of minimum $100 a piece N.O.S. rockers?i`m sure it would be less money vs your time,but locating them is time,not that it`s all charged time.What are the problems you`re having,overall?

Well for one I'm thinking I'll need to stretch them about 3/16" to make them the same length as the originals. Then the fitup at the A-pillar will require cutting and adding metal to fit the contour. The fitup at the B-pillar is not perfect but acceptable. And then I still have the passenger side to do. Who knows what that will fit like.

Maybe I'm expecting too much from aftermarket parts I don't know. I was just looking at a post in the 'Paint and Bodywork' section about another members rocker issue and his fit much better than mine. Aside from the fact that I've already spend a lot of time re-working the cab corner and floor pan, I'm just frustrated that better/ more consistent quality parts aren't available. Like I said, this isn't my truck it's for a customer and I'm trying to educate him on just what it takes to get his cab in good shape again.


Thanks for all the replies guys, I guess I'll just re-work what I have.

[special-K]

Hey Captain,I know how frustrating it is.The parts are specific application.If it doesn`t fit that,what does it fit?...Right?
Did you just get these parts or have they been around?Who did you get them from.Was it Key Parts directly or a more local distributor?And,they had Key Parts stickers on them?Same questions with the corners.I know there were aweful corners made,bad batch or whatever.But,I don`t think those were Key Parts.The corners don`t wrap far enough(not enough radius).They needed sliced in the corner and welded.Nothing like a welded seem in a rust-prone area.Not to mention a good bit of bondo.It made me wonder if tiger hair and`glass wasn`t better.I wonder if your parts were the earlier junk and not the new and improved.That`s what I`m getting at with all the questions.I don`t doubt your problems with fit or ability to deal with it.Many of us have been there/done that.

[Captainfab]

Originally Posted by special-K

Hey Captain,I know how frustrating it is.The parts are specific application.If it doesn`t fit that,what does it fit?...Right?
Did you just get these parts or have they been around?Who did you get them from.Was it Key Parts,directly or a more local distributor?And,they had key Parts stickers on them?Same questions with the corners.I know there were aweful corners made,bad batch or whatever.But,I don`t think those weren`t Key Parts.The corners don`t wrap far enough(not enough radius).They needed sliced in the corner and welded.Nothing like a welded seem in a rust-pron area.Not to mention a good bit of bondo.It made me wonder is tiger hair and`glass wasn`t better.I wonder if your parts were the earlier junk and not the new and improved.that`s what i`m getting at with all the questions.I don`t doubt your problems with fit or ability to deal with it.Many of us have been there/done that.

All of the parts for this cab were purchased from Classic parts a couple months ago. Every part has a sticker that says 'Key Parts' and it also has a Tri-Plus part number. So far about half of the parts have a decent fit, but the rest have been a PITA. Nothing I can't handle, just wasn't plannig on this much extra labor.

I went ahead and took a few pics today so you guys can see just what I'm talking about. Half of the fitment problem at the cab corner is the cab corner needs some more re-work. The gap that you see there is with the rocker and cab corner actually overlapping slightly down at the bottom edge.

[Richard8971]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

All of the parts for this cab were purchased from Classic parts a couple months ago. Every part has a sticker that says 'Key Parts' and it also has a Tri-Plus part number. So far about half of the parts have a decent fit, but the rest have been a PITA. Nothing I can't handle, just wasn't plannig on this much extra labor.

I went ahead and took a few pics today so you guys can see just what I'm talking about. Half of the fitment problem at the cab corner is the cab corner needs some more re-work. The gap that you see there is with the rocker and cab corner actually overlapping slightly down at the bottom edge.

I got mine from Action Crash parts and mine looked exactly like that.

But for less than $20.00 each, what did I expect? with a little working and help, they were fine.

NOS stuff is fine when you can get it, but people who have it want usually way too much.

I mean did the stuff fit THAT great when they made it from Chevrolet???

My truck had so many shims in it that were factory when I took it apart I had to laugh. Most "factory" stuff is not what it's cracked up to be.

Example. Back in '07 I had a customer who had a mid-90's burb in my shop. It got hit in the rear and front and he insisted on OEM parts, ONLY! He would even pay the difference if the insurance company wouldn't. So I ordered factory OEM headlights at a tune of almost 200 each!

I got the lights and guess what? They were DEPOT lights with GM stickers pasted on them. The aftermarket lights (Depot) were $90.00 each from Action Crash. (Over half the price!) Go figure... BTW, the Depot lights fit perfectly and looked great.

I learned a very valuable lesson that day. Not all OEM stuff is what they say it is.

I never told my customer about the lights... but he would have been pissed. Besides if Chevrolet trusts them, why shouldn't we???

Don

[special-K]

Richard,GM didn`t use the practice of substiting aftermarket with their parts stickers.N.O.S. means the same part your truck was made with on the line.These days,with GM licensing being sold,you see parts marked as gM made be vendors who never provided factory parts.It`s more about GM making more money than your assueance on quality of the part.With 67/72 N.O.S.,if there`s a bar code,it ain`t N.O.S.
N.O.S. is rare and costs way more for that reason as well as it`s being "the right stuff" and nothing compares.

I have a question about this repair job.Is the door mounted and used to fit?

[Richard8971]

Originally Posted by special-K

Richard,GM didn`t use the practice of substiting aftermarket with their parts stickers.N.O.S. means the same part your truck was made with on the line.These days,with GM licensing being sold,you see parts marked as gM made be vendors who never provided factory parts.It`s more about GM making more money than your assueance on quality of the part.With 67/72 N.O.S.,if there`s a bar code,it ain`t N.O.S.
N.O.S. is rare and costs way more for that reason as well as it`s being "the right stuff" and nothing compares.

I have a question about this repair job.Is the door mounted and used to fit?

??? I wasn't referring to NOS parts with what I posted about the headlamps. I know what NOS means.... New Old Stock.

I just told the story to mention how GM even uses aftermarket parts to fulfill their needs when they feel it is necessary. Some aftermarket stuff is crap and some isn't. Personally if my truck was in an accident, I would not hesitate to use quality A/M parts from our site vendors in repairing my truck. But I do understand the importance of having found nice NOS parts.

Don

[special-K]

Richard,we must be miscommunicating.I guess my point is your point about the current practices has no bearing on 67-72 parts.I never questioned your understanding of what n.o.s. is.By your point,in the future n.o.s. could as likely be aftermarket as oem.My point is that would not be the case with these parts.N.O.S. "is" what it`s cracked up to be when talking this old.

[Richard8971]

Originally Posted by special-K

Richard,we must be miscommunicating.I guess my point is your point about the current practices has no bearing on 67-72 parts.I never questioned your understanding of what n.o.s. is.By your point,in the future n.o.s. could as likely be aftermarket as oem.My point is that would not be the case with these parts.N.O.S. "is" what it`s cracked up to be when talking this old.

You are correct. I am refering to new factory stuff, not NOS. Sorry for making it sound that way.

D

[OrangeCrush1970]

I just put a set of Goodmark rockers in. They fit very well w/ minimal work-
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=341198

[Captainfab]

Originally Posted by special-K

Richard,GM didn`t use the practice of substiting aftermarket with their parts stickers.N.O.S. means the same part your truck was made with on the line.These days,with GM licensing being sold,you see parts marked as gM made be vendors who never provided factory parts.It`s more about GM making more money than your assueance on quality of the part.With 67/72 N.O.S.,if there`s a bar code,it ain`t N.O.S.
N.O.S. is rare and costs way more for that reason as well as it`s being "the right stuff" and nothing compares.

I have a question about this repair job.Is the door mounted and used to fit?

Yes I have been using the door often to check the fitup of the various parts. I also have an un-molested '68 that I've been using to verify measurements since the PO had attempted repairing the '67 cab.

Originally Posted by OrangeCrush1970

I just put a set of Goodmark rockers in. They fit very well w/ minimal work-
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=341198

Those Goodmark rockers look like they fit like they should. I've heard that even though Goodmark parts are made in Taiwan as are the rest, their quality is better. Where did you purchase your rockers from?

[Skirkpat]

I know that when Goodmark started (with Chevelle parts), they were using Genuine GM stamping dies, I also know that GM destroyed alot of thier dies after they were out of production. I do not know about 67-72 rockers, but that might be why they are as nice of a fit as they are?

[Captainfab]

I had a member contact me asking what I did to get the rockers to fit, so I thought I'd post the pics here for all to see. In addition to the issues preciously mentioned, I discovered that the rocker wasn't out far enough where it meets the cab corner. After inspecting an original rocker I decided to make a cut horizontally about 6 inches long to allow the lower part to move outward to line up with the cab corner. You can see this in the pic as I haven't completed the weld yet.

[mclairmo]

That gap is huge. Is it possible that the distance between the front and the back of the cab at the bottom has stretched? Maybe when the new floor pan was installed? I would mock up the door and make sure the gaps are all correct before moving forward.

[Captainfab]

Originally Posted by mclairmo

That gap is huge. Is it possible that the distance between the front and the back of the cab at the bottom has stretched? Maybe when the new floor pan was installed? I would mock up the door and make sure the gaps are all correct before moving forward.

No the distance from the A pillar to the B pillar is as cxlose as possible to the original factory measurement. And the door has been used all the time to check fitup and alignment. The gap at the rear of the door was crap to start with, and isn't much better on my '68 that hasn't been touched. Just the way some were from the factory.....these were just trucks in their eyes.