Hello all, I have done a search for the past few days looking for a detailed thread with pics on replacing rocker panels and floor on a 53 2dr Chevy, I have found some good threads on replacing panels and floors but no rockers. Im sure it's been covered before and any help is greatly welcomed.
There are some pics on my photobucket page that is attached to my sig. Not a hard job, Measure twice cut once!!! Todd
Check out the new issue of Rod & Custom April 09. There is a nice article in there of them doing a 51. Should be very similar to yours.
Hey cool, you can find a couple of pages of pics including floors and rockers on our 51 Fleetline here: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=1403
Maybe these can help? This is my 52 Fleetline, but I did pretty much the same thing on my old 52 2dr Sedan, except I shaped them more like the rockers on a 55 (sorta flared out). On both cars, since I wasn't gonna run the stainless trim piece, I wrapped the new rocker under the pinch weld so the pinch weld wouldn't be visible unless you crawl under the car. Also, I only replaced the outer rockers, as the inners on both cars were still in decent shape. I haven't done the floors yet, but plan to do so. Oh, and these rockers were made on a regular (but big) sheet metal brake.
Awsome, big help thanks guys. I need the insperation as I started loosing hope for my 52. I'll take some pics of my progress once I get started on the replacement.I was quoted $1,500 bucks by a local body guy to replace both rockers and floor areas (WHAT the f%$K) I know thats alot of work but thats more then what I paid for the car, Im not building a show car so I dedided to do the repairs myself. Keep up the good work.
For what it's worth, National Chevy Association, EMS and probably some others do make replacements for rockers and floors. Quality is directly proportional to price (though none are anywhere close to perfect). $1500 might sound high, but that sounds pretty much in line with most shops that know how to do anything more than hang a new fender on a Camry.
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