Re: Newbie with a 65 Chevy
 

My five lug is from a 72 truck. Both front and rear. It was a direct bolt in except I had to elongate two holes on each side of frame on the frontend. The rear is same as 65 but it is like 1 3/4" wider. I used power steering box and have brake booster also.

Re: Newbie with a 65 Chevy
 

I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas. I sure did. About to start on my cab to repair some rust spots and was needing some advise on replacing rocker panels. Do I need to replace the complete rocker or use the slip on ones? The cab corners are fine it is just the middle edge that is rusted. Also the bottom side in the middle is rusted out.

Re: Newbie with a 65 Chevy
 

I will try to post some pics of my rockers.

Re: Newbie with a 65 Chevy
 

Here are some pics of rockers.

Re: Newbie with a 65 Chevy
 

More rockers.

Re: Newbie with a 65 Chevy
 

Why do you guys think? Patch or replace.

Re: Newbie with a 65 Chevy
 

Personally I'd cut out all the rot and replace with new metal but thats just me.

How far do you want to dive in?

Re: Newbie with a 65 Chevy
 

Thanks Bomp that's what I was thinking. I thought I could just cut out the rust and put in a patch. The rockers are solid underneath I just was concerned about the rust where it meet the floor about middle way.

Re: Newbie with a 65 Chevy
 

Ok getting ready to put some new metal in. Bought some new .023 wire for my welder. I had .035 in it and it was a little tough last time I tried to patch weld the floor in my Camaro.

Re: Newbie with a 65 Chevy
 

I finished running new brake lines to rear axle.

Re: Newbie with a 65 Chevy
 

0.23 is what I use also. You'll notice welds much better with less build up.
Also, replace those rockers. I wouldn't use slip on panels. You are just covering the rust not replacing it. I'm getting ready to do mine this week while on vacation.

Re: Newbie with a 65 Chevy
 

Gotta agree with the previous sentiments... Replace those rockers...;)

Re: Newbie with a 65 Chevy
 

Ok y'all talked me into it. I will get some new rockers ordered. :metal:

Re: Newbie with a 65 Chevy
 

Nice job so far! Keep it up!:chevy:

Re: Newbie with a 65 Chevy
 

Thanks TJ. I am about to roll the donor truck around in front of my shop so I can take it apart. :) To bad they don't go together as fast as they come apart.

Re: Newbie with a 65 Chevy
 

Took me about 4 hours to pull the front clip off my 64 donor. Depends on how bad the parts are....I was dealing with 30+ years of road grime and rust when I pulled the clip...and when I transferred some of the parts to my '66...it took a 1/5 the time....just depends on how clean everything is I suppose. :lol:

Re: Newbie with a 65 Chevy
 

Yea that's right. I am bad to pick up my torch when I disassemble stuff that is rusty. :)

Re: Newbie with a 65 Chevy
 

I ordered my new rocker panels and lower front fender patches today.:metal: Maybe I will have some new pics to post soon.

Re: Newbie with a 65 Chevy
 

Man it is brutally cold here. It's 9 degrees and like -10 wind chill. I am not use to that. But I went ahead and went to the shop and got the rock panels removed.

Re: Newbie with a 65 Chevy
 

I decided to use my blue cab instead of the red one. Since you guys talked me into replacing the rockers I just started taking the rockers off the cab I had inside the shop. Here is more pics.

Re: Newbie with a 65 Chevy
 

More pics

Re: Newbie with a 65 Chevy
 

Looks like I am going to have to replace the cab corner also. It has been hit in the corner and it goes up high on the corner. I am going to have to cut the piece out of the donor truck I guess. Does anybody know if there is an aftermarket piece I can get. The cab corners I have seen are no tall enough.

Re: Newbie with a 65 Chevy
 

Worked on the drip rails today. PO had bondo all over the driver side roof rail to makeup for the rust that had eaten the rail. I am thinking about modifying the rail. Here is a pic of it.

Re: Newbie with a 65 Chevy
 

Here is another pic. I am thinking about making the rail thin starting at the front edge of cab and tapper it back to original size at the back of the cab. What do you guys think?

Re: Newbie with a 65 Chevy
 

Here is pic of original.