Hi, has anyone used the us made repro full rocker panels for their 1st gen convertible. The original is about 1/8 steel while the repro's are 1/16 (nice eh?). I know I have to cut the repro's and re-use the upper part of the door sill and use 2 steel ribs on the inside. But, is that still enough? Please let me know.

Thanks!

I bought two of the full outer rocker panels from Rick's with the idea of doing the same thing. After comparing the repros with what I had, I realized that the metal was way too thin to give the support necessary for a convertible. First gen ragtops have enough inherent body flex in them to start with. Going to a much thinner gauge metal in a critical area like the rocker seemed to risky to me. The rockers are the only substanial rigid structure between the front of the car and the rear. Just about everything attaches to them one way or another (I found this out when I removed the passenger side!). After much thought, I returned the repros. I was going to rebuild (build from scratch) my orginal rockers. After talking to about a half of dozen metal fabrication shops and finding out just how much serious money I was going to spend on new rockers I gave up that idea and started searching for a pair of intact donor rockers. My advice to you would be to do the same if yours are pretty well shot. They are out there ....if you look long and hard enough!!
Doug

i used the repo rockers on my ragtop.however i went with thicker ribs.i had them made up out of 1/4 steel.i was told by a guy who build customs that it will be enough.also i plan on putting subframe connectors on.i'm going to make them up and fully box them in and weld them,not only to the frames but to the floor itself.good luck.