Another Outer Rocker Install question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

70Chevy4x4Nut · 01-02-2003, 01:37 AM

I have gone through as many of the rocker install threads as I could find. I need to install both rockers and one corner. They are not too bad but just starting to rust through and I figure since I've gone this far I would do it right. Sounds like it is best to have the doors on when doing this job. I found this out after I removed both doors and fenders (cab is gutted). The original doors had been scraped on the bottom and were distorted at the bottom and were not even with the rockers. I have purchased two good used doors (original factory doors).

My questions are:
1) Do I reinstall these "new" doors and just line them up as best I can without the fenders?
2) Is the only part you are trying to check is the seam at the bottom?
3) My backing plate or inner rocker is solid. Do I need to brace the cab, or will this piece keep it from getting out of square? (the cab is still mounted to the frame)

The rockers are 95% solid, but wanted to do it right the first time. Could I get by with only a patch repair or is it better to go ahead and replace them?

This is a fantastic forum with lots of good help, Thanks ahead of time

JimKshortstep4x4 · 01-02-2003, 08:09 AM

Fit the door to the opening and line it up so that the gap is even.
We use a piece of cardboard between the door bottom and the rocker to establish clearance.

Fit the rocker to the bottom of the door, we screw the rocker in place before welding when mocking up.

The cab should stay square when you take off the old rocker if the cab mounts are good, the floor is good and the inner rocker is good.

If you are replacing the cab corner, make sure that the angle is right. Someone posted a fix on cab corners recently.

Can't comment on repairing the existing rocker! Depends on the damage and where it is located.

Jim

70Chevy4x4Nut · 01-02-2003, 08:27 AM

Thanks Jim. Do you have any comments on where to get the replacement rockers? I have seen mostly reproduction type advertised. But I did see ones that were advertised as GM originals with a price of $85.00 ea (ouch). Would you think these have the best fit? Any problems from certain venders or just find the cheapest?

Mario

JimKshortstep4x4 · 01-02-2003, 08:57 AM

We bought our last ones from GMC Pauls, (repros) and were happy with them. The fit at the front had to be "massaged" a
little, but nothing serious.

Jim

Huck · 01-02-2003, 10:02 AM

Having recently replaced both inner and outer rockers on two trucks, I feel like I replaced a lot more then I really needed to. Consider replacing the outer skin if the top of the rocker is solid which it often is. the real problem with rockers is with lining up the front and rear to the body. Talked to several body guys who advised that just because you buy a replacement panel, that doesn't mean you need to replace the whole thing. Obviously I talked to them after I made a major replacement~~~~~Da!
Think about cutting the rocker just before it curves to the top flat then lapping or butt welding a replacement section from the new rockers. Cover the inner sections of the old and new with POR15 or some other rust preventative stuff. When you weld in the new section, you can grind the welds smooth and not have to worry about alignment very much at all. Check with efabman as he is one of our best body guys----wish I lived closer to Charlotte and could flood him with free beer!!! Huck

01-02-2003, 01:37 AM	#1
70Chevy4x4Nut Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: TX Posts: 311	Another Outer Rocker Install question I have gone through as many of the rocker install threads as I could find. I need to install both rockers and one corner. They are not too bad but just starting to rust through and I figure since I've gone this far I would do it right. Sounds like it is best to have the doors on when doing this job. I found this out after I removed both doors and fenders (cab is gutted). The original doors had been scraped on the bottom and were distorted at the bottom and were not even with the rockers. I have purchased two good used doors (original factory doors). My questions are: 1) Do I reinstall these "new" doors and just line them up as best I can without the fenders? 2) Is the only part you are trying to check is the seam at the bottom? 3) My backing plate or inner rocker is solid. Do I need to brace the cab, or will this piece keep it from getting out of square? (the cab is still mounted to the frame) The rockers are 95% solid, but wanted to do it right the first time. Could I get by with only a patch repair or is it better to go ahead and replace them? This is a fantastic forum with lots of good help, Thanks ahead of time

01-02-2003, 08:27 AM	#3
70Chevy4x4Nut Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: TX Posts: 311	Rocker quality Thanks Jim. Do you have any comments on where to get the replacement rockers? I have seen mostly reproduction type advertised. But I did see ones that were advertised as GM originals with a price of $85.00 ea (ouch). Would you think these have the best fit? Any problems from certain venders or just find the cheapest? Mario

01-02-2003, 08:09 AM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Fit the door to the opening and line it up so that the gap is even. We use a piece of cardboard between the door bottom and the rocker to establish clearance. Fit the rocker to the bottom of the door, we screw the rocker in place before welding when mocking up. The cab should stay square when you take off the old rocker if the cab mounts are good, the floor is good and the inner rocker is good. If you are replacing the cab corner, make sure that the angle is right. Someone posted a fix on cab corners recently. Can't comment on repairing the existing rocker! Depends on the damage and where it is located. Jim

01-02-2003, 08:57 AM	#4
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	We bought our last ones from GMC Pauls, (repros) and were happy with them. The fit at the front had to be "massaged" a little, but nothing serious. Jim

01-02-2003, 10:02 AM	#5
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	Having recently replaced both inner and outer rockers on two trucks, I feel like I replaced a lot more then I really needed to. Consider replacing the outer skin if the top of the rocker is solid which it often is. the real problem with rockers is with lining up the front and rear to the body. Talked to several body guys who advised that just because you buy a replacement panel, that doesn't mean you need to replace the whole thing. Obviously I talked to them after I made a major replacement~~~~~Da! Think about cutting the rocker just before it curves to the top flat then lapping or butt welding a replacement section from the new rockers. Cover the inner sections of the old and new with POR15 or some other rust preventative stuff. When you weld in the new section, you can grind the welds smooth and not have to worry about alignment very much at all. Check with efabman as he is one of our best body guys----wish I lived closer to Charlotte and could flood him with free beer!!! Huck



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