Ok, I received my new rocker panels today (outers)They look really nice, heavy gauge steel and good bends. The full floor pans arrived to. Now, when i install the rockers how should i support the car? The floors have a fair amount of rust the only holes seem to be by the seam at the inner rocker, the inner rocker above this seam looks solid. I have not removed the outers yet so i dont know the extent of rust on the inner section. I have raised the car at the front spring mount (rear leaf spring) and the door jamb gap opens up about 1/16" more then when the body weight is on the chassis so i dont think it is really weak. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
Rick

Having only done it once I am no expert but I suggest you do the floor pan first leaving the rocker panel in till the floor is done. I raised the car on the rear frame right above where the axle would be (rear was out) and had no flex problem.

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1969 Camaro 350 & 1969 Impala SS 427/ 4-speed (restored)

Thanks for the info, that does make alot of sense to do the floor first, any other things that you might have run into?
thanks again.


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[This message has been edited by sad67 (edited 06-16-2001).]

Well since you asked I use a sheet metal drill or mill drill to drill out spot welds. It cuts through 1st layer of sheet metal and leaves the 2nd in tact. This was great for putting things back together like the front frame mounts and seat brace as it leaves no doubt on alignment and even if you drill through by mistake it leaves a nice clean hole in each piece to line it back up with.

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1969 Camaro 350 & 1969 Impala SS 427/ 4-speed (restored)

I have the drill bit type spot weld cutter sounds similar, i know they wear out quick though. I was looking and it seems like my inner rocker has some holes also mainly at the point where the floor was welded to it. I think i can just fab something here though, its just the bottom edge in about two places 6" long.I want it to look close to factory from the bottom you know where the floor meets the inner rocker and then the outer is welded to those. Looks like a pretty involved job but thats half the fun i guess.Thanks again for the replys though. I searched the board about rockers but couldnt find anything on the way to support the vehicle.I would really like to find a website with some pictures of someone doing this, i have done quarters before but this looks a little trickier.

I will send some pictures that someone sent me.

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1969 Camaro 350 & 1969 Impala SS 427/ 4-speed (restored)

I also replaced the rockers and floor pans on my 68. One other thing you may want to do is temporary weld a bar across the inside of the door opening. This will add a lot of strength until the new panels are installed. Once the panels are installed simply grind off the welds, then repeat for other side.

Thanks for the pictures DanBnis(Dan)thats what i needed to see it helps visualize the project.From the looks of the inners in those photos, Mine need help at least the passanger side havent checked out the driver side thoroughly yet.
Dan Trafford:Good idea with the brace i may do that on the inside below the dash and to the rear quarter window area, that way i can leave the door on to measure alignment. Thank You for the suggestion. All is appreciated
Rick