Author Topic: Rocker Panels - info?  (Read 1186 times)

Offline ChallengerHK

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Rocker Panels - info?
« on: January 28, 2011 - 08:00:24 PM »
After several months, my car is finally in my brother's garage and work is getting started.

I've long suspected that there were problems with the rockers, and I was right, so they need to be taken care of. I see that rockers are being reproduced, and this strikes me as a simple shape that should be hard to screw up. Am I right? Are the repro rockers worthwhile, or should I find an old set from a car to buy?


"She'll make point five past light speed. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, and I've made a lot of special modifications myself."

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Offline dodj

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Re: Rocker Panels - info?
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2011 - 08:10:53 PM »
I made my own with the brake at work. Seemed simple to me. Repro's are overpriced IMO.
Scott
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Offline RUSTY Cuda

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Re: Rocker Panels - info?
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2011 - 11:00:16 PM »
Make sure there full rockers, 8 years ago I bought em for my cuda, they were covers only, lucky for me all I needed was the ends, i adjusted the bends & used em for pieces, this may have been before amd & chrysler got into the picture with all the new factory metal??? Rich.

Offline Challenger6pak

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Re: Rocker Panels - info?
« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2011 - 11:49:10 PM »
I would repair your originals if possible.  If you take a whole one out and put another one in the car should be on a frame machine or jig to keep it straight.  This is basically part of the unibody frame. 
1969 Sport Satellite H code convertible, 1970 Cuda 440+6, 1970 Challenger R/T 440+6, 1970 Challenger 383 R/T auto, 1970 Challenger R/T 383 4 speed,1971 Challenger convertible.

Offline pywell

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Re: Rocker Panels - info?
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2011 - 12:20:53 AM »
I would repair your originals if possible.  If you take a whole one out and put another one in the car should be on a frame machine or jig to keep it straight.  This is basically part of the unibody frame.

No frame jig required for the outer, done many upon many. With the inner and outer... well its a good idea with anything when removing structural peices and I would agree with Challenger6pak to get it reinforced just to be on the safe side.
« Last Edit: January 29, 2011 - 12:26:46 AM by pywell »

Offline ChallengerHK

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Re: Rocker Panels - info?
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2011 - 11:06:09 AM »
Good info, thanks.


"She'll make point five past light speed. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, and I've made a lot of special modifications myself."

- Han Solo, Star Wars

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Offline Challenger6pak

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Re: Rocker Panels - info?
« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2011 - 08:11:31 PM »
No frame jig required for the outer, done many upon many. With the inner and outer... well its a good idea with anything when removing structural peices and I would agree with Challenger6pak to get it reinforced just to be on the safe side.
I guess I should have said complete instead of whole.  I did mean the inner and outer.   Thanks.
1969 Sport Satellite H code convertible, 1970 Cuda 440+6, 1970 Challenger R/T 440+6, 1970 Challenger 383 R/T auto, 1970 Challenger R/T 383 4 speed,1971 Challenger convertible.

Offline ChallengerHK

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Re: Rocker Panels - info?
« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2011 - 08:20:55 PM »
If the inners are in pretty good shape (I haven't seen them yet) is it a good bet that I should keep the original inners and just replace the outers?


"She'll make point five past light speed. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, and I've made a lot of special modifications myself."

- Han Solo, Star Wars

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Offline pywell

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Re: Rocker Panels - info?
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2011 - 09:26:33 PM »
Replace only what you need to expecially considering the difficulty level.

Offline Challenger6pak

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Re: Rocker Panels - info?
« Reply #9 on: January 31, 2011 - 11:29:01 PM »
The inners are most likely good.  If the inner and outer rocker is bad the car will sag and the doors will bind.
1969 Sport Satellite H code convertible, 1970 Cuda 440+6, 1970 Challenger R/T 440+6, 1970 Challenger 383 R/T auto, 1970 Challenger R/T 383 4 speed,1971 Challenger convertible.