Lower door frame Question

[1972 Banana]

I just recently repaired the door openings on my blazer, It has had a soft top since I purchased it 5+ years ago. found it had been hap hazardly repaired by the PO. I cut the old lower door frame out and found the torque boxes to be in great shape just the front pillar and back pillar were gone as well as part of the floor. The PO had used Bondo to fill in the floor and even covered the cab bolt. I cut all That out and replaced the cab front support and pillar. I also obtained a top and bolted it on before I stared to weld the floor back in.

here is the problem, when I went to weld in the lower outside rocker/door sill. I found this part to be 1/4 inch too short. There is a gap at each end. Is this normal for this piece to be too short? should I split it and add in a patch in the middle. I cant see where my dash moved fwd 1/4 inch. I am sure I can make it work, just know that there will be no stock door sills in my future!