Rocker panel help

[mrbill426]

After cutting out the quarters we have discovered rust-through at the rear portion of the left and right rockers.   We are trying to identify exactly what the rusted area is called in order to find possible patches.  Classic industries has what they call rear inner rockers that sort of look like this area, but their image is not that good.  The list an outer piece too but it runs the whole length, practically  wheel well to wheel well.  we only need to fix a few inches on each side of the car.   Can anyone tell by my photo if this is considered to be the inner or outer rocker? 

 

[mrbill426]

One more photo of before the quarter cam off.

[Topcat]

Cut, Fab, and butt weld in a new piece.

Not going to be seen so make that piece and forget trying to order something like it.

[mrbill426]

Had thought of that but not sure about structural.  I guess that area supports the rear corner of the roof?  I have a great body metal, and paint guy, but this is his first E-body so he is cautious.  Here is a view of the end/wheel well.

Thanks

Cut, Fab, and butt weld in a new piece.

Not going to be seen so make that piece and forget trying to order something like it.

[72cudamaan]

The bright red rusty piece on the right in your last picture is a separate piece. Replace that (it would be very difficult to fabricate)
and patch the rocker. When you fab the rocker piece remember that the quarter panel will
lay over a portion of it so you need to make a z bend or flange on the back edge of the rocker.

[GCC]

The piece in your first photo is the end part of the outer rocker panel.  The inner rocker panel is further inboard and is mostly vertical.  The inner & outer are spot-welded down the entire length and form a box section rail.  If you are good with metal, you can fab a patch for this area.  I had the same problem; just be sure to have good clean metal to weld onto.  As far as structure is concerned, there are spot welds all over in this area; just be sure to duplicate them and use the same guage metal.  The piece in your last photo that spans the rocker & frame rail is available as a repro, I've seen them out there, just can't think of what they are called; hope that helps!

[jimynick]

Once they get rotten, they're all the same. Mine was gone just like yours and I just used a chunk of 18ga. and rolled the side to conform (over a jack handle) and bent the lip in the vise. The end cap is a bit odd, but nothing that an experienced body man can't make in an hour or two. As mentioned, be sure the patch is recessed enough for the 1/4 skin to fit in tight enough, seam weld the whole thing together and congratulate yourself on saving some $ and actually strengthening the area. Rustproof the bejeezus out of the area once the 1/4's are on and welding complete. Good luck! 

[Edison1970]

Mine was close but not as bad.  As the others said, cut some steel and patch it.  You'll never see it again since it gets covered by the quarter.

[mrbill426]

Thanks folks, it seems that no one makes a patch for this rust problem so we are gonna fabricate and hope for the best.