Rocker patch panel straightness?

[jeromio]

I have a replacement rocker panel re-pop that actually seems to fit pretty well. Except for one issue: straightness.

I presume that this thing ought to be fully straight across its entire length, ya? I did install the door and my door is straight across the bottom, so there is a gap at the front 3-4 inches.

I just want to make sure before I pie-cut it.

[joesscamaro]

Don’t quote me on this, but I would certainly think it would be flat across. I replaced both rockers on mine and never really noticed and sort of bowing like that. If there’s a gap between it and your door...then I’d lean towards yes.

[SkinnyG]

Balance what you find, with how much work it is to correct it, with what your intention with the truck is.

The more I work with the body on my '61, the less I am caring about perfection.

[jeromio]

Ya - not looking for perfection, but after AAAALLLLL this work, I would like it to not look like poop. There's definitely a corresponding gap between the rocker edge and the door. I put the straight edge on the passenger side and it also seems to bow similarly - pretty sure that's are-pop panel too (some previous owner did *really* awful work that I'm re-doing).

It makes sense metallurgically - there's way more folding of the sheet on that end so I can see how it would shrink/snap-back after forming. But I don't have a stock factory panel to compare it with.

I think I'm gonna pie this thing. I did anticipate having to do lots of tweaking to other parts of it that I don't have to do after all, so, on balance it's maybe a wash, labor-wise.

[LT1 Burb]

Can you post a pic of that laying on floor because that does not look like a 60-66 rocker to me.

[SkinnyG]

It is, you're looking at the top of it, standing up vertical with the door jamb.

[joesscamaro]

I think your tell-all is how it fits in relation to the door and to the inner rocker...assuming your inner rocker is stock material. If it were me, I’d base it on those two factors ��

[jeromio]

I went ahead made a cut about 60mm long and pulled it out about 3mm at the front edge. Matches up with the door pretty well now. Had a similar problem on the rear part, but I pulled the jamb out - well actually more like hammered it out - about 2mm. It's all nice and straight now and matches up with the bottom edge of the door. I have an oddly large gap betw the top curve of the door (where the filler was) and the jamb - that's going to be too much hassle to fix and is just gonna bug me forever.

Then I started on the cab corner. Ugh. Seems like same manufacturer as the rocker, but this cab corner is garbage. I've made so many changes to it. Had to add about 20mm of steel to the bottom flange part - which was really challenging since it's a compound curve area. Also had to form that bottom flare out part where it meets the rocker with hammer and dolly. Really NOT looking forward to repeating this on the passenger side.

[SkinnyG]

I've just gone through all this, so I totally hear what you're saying. These trucks weren't really well made back in the day, and the aftermarket parts are even less so.

Good luck!

Post pics!