Re: Help wanted, I'm getting depressed!!

Posted by Rusty O\'Toole On 2012/12/6 1:25:52

I worked for 20 years in body shops in Canada when rusted rocker panels and fender panels were common. Have NEVER removed a body from the frame to replace rocker panels or floors. It is not necessary.

Have also made my own rocker panels, inner and outer, with a brake and also using just a piece of angle iron, clamps and hammers.

One time I replaced the rocker panels on a 1947 Dodge 8 passenger sedan, a limousine type body with jump seats in the back. The rocker panels were so long the shop brake was not long enough, I took the sheet metal to a shop that had a brake 12 feet (4 meters) long. Made the rockers by hand, inner and outer, and welded them to the car in 1 piece, also made and installed new floors, and made a gas tank from scratch.

I am shocked that there are no old fashioned panel beaters in Belgium that can do a proper repair for less than the cost of a new BMW.

Rocker panels are straight, no curves, and are easy to make. The main difficulty in welding them in, is in supporting the body so it does not sag when you cut out the old pieces. This is not a problem if the rocker needs only a small patch.