Convertible conversion/rocker panel questions

[sixpack340]

I know this topics been touched on before. But I haven't found an answer to a few questions I have about it. I'm sure some of you have reservations about convertible conversions and some of you think they're cool. I happen to like the idea. But only on a car that isn't some special cuda from the factory with nice options. I love the idea on a 318 plain Jane 73 or something of the like. So anyway....all the reading I've done, guys say you have to reinforce the rockers as the convertibles have a thick c channel inside and so on. Question is, how would anyone put a strengthening piece of metal in a rocker for a conversion? Ive never pulled a rocker panel apart, so I may be asking a dumb question. But I'm just curious how this would even be done. I know guys have done this conversion and added torque boxes and subframe connectors and so on. But I would think they'd have to have put something in the rocker. I'm just curious as to what? Anyone that's done this conversion, I'd love to pick your brain. I'm not sure if I'll ever attempt this as it may or may not be cost effective. Just morbid curiosity. 

[1 Wild R/T]

Not what your asking, but here are photos of the reinforcement removed from a Challenger...

[larry4406]

Not mine, some pictures I snagged years ago off the net showing another in rocker approach.

[sixpack340]

thanks for the pictures fellas.  so i would assume that these channels run the length of the rocker and then dead end where? at the lower cowl behind the front fender maybe? where do they stop on the quarter panel end? it seems to me if a guy braced the dog **** out of the car before removing the outer rocker skin, it wouldnt be very hard to slip a channel in there, weld it and then put the rocker skin back on and weld it up.  is it easier said than done?

[1 Wild R/T]

I would think thats completely doable.....   One point. on the second set of photos the guys reinforcing stops at the torsion bar crossmember..  It should extend forward & use rocker box reinforcement to tie the rocker to the frame... Currently the floor section is stronger & the front frame is OE strong but all the torsional flex is focused on that short area of the torsion bar crossmember between the rocker & the front frame rail....

I made that mistake once on reinforcing a HD Truck... Guess where it cracked...

[swordfish71]

Have you ever gone forward with converting the car? I am looking at the price of real convertibles, versus possibly doing something like this on, as mentioned, a less than special project car.

I am leaning on the "too many places to mess up on" opinion when dealing with these projects, but if you have been successful in doing so, it could be quite the money saver if well planned and well done...

[crocha617]

I owned a couple of converted cars. Unless you have acess to a rusty convertible for all the parts it's not really practical. There are a ton of parts you'll need including lots of specialty sheet metal parts.