55.2-59 55-59 rocker panel support bracket pics please

[dsraven]

hey everybody. I have rebuilt my step/rocker but the new panel didn't come with any support bracket for the bottom edge behind the rocker. my old steps were rotted badly but had some sort of bracket under there. I HAD pics but that was a couple of computers ago and I have lost some info. if anybody has a pic of the back side of their rocker panels, showing thaty support bracket, that helps keep the shape of the last angle of the rocker, that would be great and much appreciated. if not i will just carry on making stuff up as i go along, lol.
thanks in advance
Dennis

[bowt1ed]

Dennis, are you talking about the step bracket or the support rods that goes from bottom of step to frame? Jim

[dsraven]

thanks for the response and pic. I'll try to snap a pic of where i am talking about.

I'm talking about the back side of the rocker panel where the step is. my new panels (welded in several years ago.....) have a U shaped brace under the ribbed surface of the floor where your foot would contact but I am sure there was some sort of brace or support where the bottom of the sheet metal returns back. I'll get a pic but my truck is a frame swapped unit where I have used the floor and firewall from the donor, it will look a little different than a stock unit.
so, the back side of this panel, the part you would see when the door is closed, had some sort of bracket that would keep that bottom edge straight
https://www.autometaldirect.com/rock...hevy-gmc-truck

[dsraven]

here is a pic of my mess. the bracket or brace would go where the tape is attached. if somebody has a pic showing that area, with the brace, that would be great. otherwise I'll fly by the seat of my pants again. lol.

[dsraven]

I have seen pics where guys have used that area for a hidden antenna, just can't find those threads when I search.

[dsraven]

the pic is the under side and back side of the step, showing the lateral brace under the step tread area. the tape is on the back side of the rocker panel

[bowt1ed]

Gotcha, somehow I thought you were talking bedside step. I'll go out and look at mine in a bit.

[unclebrad]

Here is what mine looks like. (Driver's side) Hope you can make sense of it.

IMG_2349 lo.jpg (29.5 KB)
IMG_2354 lo.jpg (22.4 KB)
IMG_2351 lo.jpg (31.4 KB)
IMG_2352 lo.jpg (26.0 KB)
IMG_2353 lo.jpg (21.8 KB)

[dsraven]

thanks. looks like no brace or filler panel then, unless that panel was replaced at some time maybe.

[dsraven]

found it!
on a thumb drive tucked away. anyway, this pic shows the little brackets that help stiffen the rocker panel's lower edge to keep the profile of the bends correct. I see only one in the pic but know there were a coup[le or three on each side. pic also shows why I am taking forever to get my old project done. nothing there but rusty metal, lol. well, that and other important things to get done that take priority.
thanks for the responses given, appreciated. if anybody has a better pic of the original stuff or knows how many of those brackets there were that would help.

[mr48chev]

I checked a couple of sites including The Filling Station that usually shows just about any Chevy part that exists in the aftermarket and no go. Nothing on Premier Street rods that makes new cabs either.

[dsraven]

Thanks for that. I think it may have been a factory thing for heavier trucks. The was a heavy duty equipped 3/4 ton long box. Canadian version as well, so maybe some stuff that USA models didn't get. It was factory original but totally rusted out under the paint. More dirt on the floor than body panels when I took it apart, lol.

[Stepside Jim]

Here is a pic on mine. I believe this is all original metal and there is only this 1 actual reinforcement bracket along the length of the rocker.

This is the passenger side and the driver side has the same reinforcement, only 1 also.

Hope this helps.

[dsraven]

Yeah, that's it but a decent picture. Thanks.

[dsraven]

thinking of something like that which would run the length of the rocker for full length support. i would do a few reliefs in the panel so dirt and moisture can't get locked in but also so the area behind can be properly cleaned out.

[Stepside Jim]

That small brace only being up front seems strange.

I suppose the rear of the rocker is fully attached the the rear cab corner and the front is dead head with no full support. This brace evens the hold.

The clear pic was convenient, mine is in the shop getting the A/C under the passenger seat treatment. Once finished I'll load pics on my build thread.

[57tailgater]

This thread has some pics of that area and the steps being repaired that may help. The factory assembly manual shows some details too on sheets Section 1, sheets 12.00, 20.00 and 33.00
https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=850982

[dsraven]

I went under the truck today and have a plan. I am going to use a filler panel from one end to the other. 18ga, rosebud welded to the step floor and the inside edge of the rocker where it returns back toward the center of the truck. I'll put some drainage slots on the bottom edge and also some holes higher up to access with the hose when washing the truck so that any dirt or crud can be flushed out but also so the area can be sprayed with undercoating. this should stiffen and support the area well. I find the aftermarket panel is quite flimsy. if I grab it to help slide under the truck on my creeper it is easily bent or distorted.
thanks for all the replies everybody. appreciated.

[57tailgater]

Given your solution, I did notice in the assembly manual on bigger trucks it looks like they put a reinforcement on in this area - see Section 1 sheet 63.03:

[dsraven]

Thanks. That's kinda what I had planned, just a slight variation in shape and not likely gonna be screws holding it.

[dsraven]

looking at that diagram in post 19, after a second look, the larger trucks got an add on rocker profile part that actually protrudes from the original rocker part. this actually makes the rocker panel under the step protrude more from the body as well as makes the rocker stiffer in that area. maybe because he workers would kick the muck off their boots before getting into the cab, or maybe because they found that area on the bigger trucks needed to protrude more to look correct with the wider fenders? who knows. anyway, my thoughts are to build something that goes on the back side of the rocker and welds to the under side of the step panel

[dsraven]

it also looks like that part continues on rearward to the rear of the cab corner and wraps around that section somehow a little. I wonder what the forward section looks like against a big truck fender. it must match up so it makes me think the big truck fenders are wider at the bottom to match that profile. I have seen some big trucks but not paid attention to that little detail so I just can't remember.
thanks for posting the diagram tailgater

[dsraven]

I found a few pics on google of viking and spartan trucks that show the rocker panel add on. I just can't seem to save the pic with anything that becomes a valid file to post here. dunno why but anyway, if somebody want s to see one just google 55-59 chev spartan truck and look for a good side shot. that panel does match up to the fat fendered trucks and also extends past the door opening to the rear.

[57tailgater]

Let me see what I can find. If you can post a link to one of those pics I'll see if I can post it.