Bolt in Rocker (Torsion) Boxes?

[cleszkie]

I am in the home stretch of the metalwork phase of restoration on my Blazer, and the last thing to do is install the sweet set of original take-off rocker boxes, end caps, and side braces i recently acquired. I have bolted in the side braces to the floor bulhead, B-pillars, and bed floor, the end caps to the side braces and bed floor. All I have left to do is bolt the rocker boxes to the end caps and side braces and weld them to the outter rocker lips, inner rocker box 'floor rails', and front floor pans. My question is, has anyone not welded, but bolted the rocker boxes in along the inner floor rails and outter rocker lip? I was thinking I might try this because it would allow me to simply unbolt the entire rocker box assembly and clean out/maintain that area every now and then without having to cut/grind out welds. I put a lot of work into restoring this area and have done my best to treat all of the metal with Rust Bullet Automotive coating, but I still want to be able to check up on things that would otherwise be hidden. Let me know your opinions, good or bad. Thanks.

[1972CST]

I have thought many times about this same problem... just havnt settled on a solution.

[jaros44sr]

me too...I would hate to seal it up solid, just to have it deteriorate again. But, having said that, it did take 40 years to rust out!

I was going to use those aluminum inserts to hang the panels

[mustardjimmy71]

a few months ago a guy put a few big holes in his with flaired lips to restore strength and drainage. ill see if i can find it. it was from cali in the middle of being built

[mustardjimmy71]

these are them!!! definately what im gonna do when it comes time

[cleszkie]

I've seen those holes and they are great, but there are two main problems with them. 1) They allow stuff in the box that ordinarilly would not get in there, along with a greater quantity of water and mud, and 2) you still cannot access the trouble area behind the brace that bolts to the B-pilar. This is where 99% of Blazers rust from the inside out (lower front rear quarter panels by corner of door). By having a removable rocker box, the end caps and b-pillar brace could be unboted, inspected, cleaned, and reassembled. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but I don't want any more rust to star in this area for many, many years to come.

[383Blazer]

I am currently working on the rocker boxes in my Blazer too. One idea i thought of was taking out the rocker box sheet metal and replacing it with metal bars instead. I think that way the rocker box is very open, keeping anything from getting stuck inside it, while still maintaining strength and ridgidity. Just a thought.
Cody

[mustardjimmy71]

i like the big holes idea cause u get the hose in there can rinse out the dirt better. Ever consider making an access from the top if your that scared?

[mustardjimmy71]

they rot because fine dirt can get in and not out and it holds moisture

[mcmlxix]

If you maintain the rockers by washing them out, they will last. You can unbolt the end caps and power wash them if you were out in the dirt and mud, or on salty winter roads... As long as there's nothing left to hold the moisture (dirt, leaves, etc.) it shouldn't be a problem... The holes are made my dimple dies and I would like to do that to mine...

PS: the dimples also add rigidity to the metal because its now 2 dimensional.

[mustardjimmy71]

put dimple die holes in the other sub pannels as well! unbolting them just sounds like a pita, and i wouldnt want to take them off when the top is off incase of body sag. and yes, they do add ridgidity to the pannels.

[Dads72Blazer]

Originally Posted by 383Blazer

I am currently working on the rocker boxes in my Blazer too. One idea i thought of was taking out the rocker box sheet metal and replacing it with metal bars instead. I think that way the rocker box is very open, keeping anything from getting stuck inside it, while still maintaining strength and ridgidity. Just a thought.
Cody

I think Im going to do the same thing.

Jason