Rocker panels
 

I'm fixing to start on my rocker panels and I have been thinking, Should I put the cab back on the frame and bolt it in place before I start cutting it a part? I have some rebar I planned to put across the door opening to hold it in place to check the gaps. But I thought I need to have it sitting on the frame to get all the gaps right?:chevy:

Re: Rocker panels
 

Use new cab mounts and have your frame level

Re: Rocker panels
 

Thanks I will be sure and level it.

I also drilled holes in all 4 door mounts to the cab so when time comes to pull them and replace I can use it as a guide hole.:chevy:

Re: Rocker panels
 

Well we got the cab sitting down on the SWB frame today temporarily to get the rockers tacked in. Only got a few hrs of work done had a retirement lunch to go to.
New cab & radiator mounts are all in but not tight. Tomorrow we will start leveling it up on the lift and cutting out the passenger side rocker I hope. :chevy:

Re: Rocker panels
 

Andy, if your not cutting into the floor or inner rocker you won't need any bracing. I use some 1 inch square tube and weld it from the floor to the top of the window hole. But when I have done that it was on trucks that was getting floor pieces and inner rocker as well as A and B pillar patches. it is looking good but I would'nt expect anything less from you. Jim

Re: Rocker panels
 

Thank you sir. I'm just worried about the door spacing more than anything. I don't want it to spread on me after I cut them out. I'm just doing a rebar across the door opening about half way up on each side.

I do have to replace the drivers side inner piece behind the rocker but not the tubes.:chevy:

Re: Rocker panels
 

Passenger side old rocker is gone and part of the back cab corner. I'm not sure about the corner yet. I may cut a little more out but I don't want to use that whole big piece.
I have my good friend Jesse coming over in the morning and helping tack it all in. He retired from the local vocational school as the welder instructor. He is going to setup the machine and get everything good for me to do the drivers side.:chevy:

Re: Rocker panels
 

I finished up the passenger side repairs today. Being my 2nd try at welding on sheet metal panels I had a good friend come over and give me some good instructions on heat settings and feeding. He is the retired welding instructor for the local vocational school here. The welder had .030 wire in it and he suggested we swap it to .024 and man what a difference it made. I had a good day. I started working at 9:30am this morning and I'm basically 2 days ahead of what I thought I would be on the truck right now.
Is it perfect.... heck no but man it feels good to know I can repair sheet metal panels if I ever have to again.
The door lines up good also. The edges all line up good enough for a Pantina truck.:chevy:

Re: Rocker panels
 

I told you about the smaller wire night and day difference, right. And on top of that it grinds so much better. Anyone can weld up something thick but sheetmetal, is a hole nother story and you just cant imagine till you do it

Re: Rocker panels
 

Yes sir it is. It was a nightmare but in the end I think it turned out fine. I got some copper to use on the drivers side if I need it.:chevy:

Re: Rocker panels
 

I got started on the drivers side and after 8.5 hrs I'm tired and almost done. Having a cold didn't help but I got it done. My son & daughter both helped today. It was a great day. Some more welding and grinding she will be good to go.

My black Friday turned out great!:chevy: