Author Topic: 73 Barracuda Rocker and trunk floor replacement  (Read 5392 times)

Offline Riceman65

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73 Barracuda Rocker and trunk floor replacement
« on: February 19, 2015 - 10:47:25 PM »
Any one have and tips or pictures of replacement of the entire rocker panel? any ideas n pics welcome.
Looks like a ton of spot welds top and bottom. problems may be the door jamb area and front door hinge area
also trunk floor extension questions. does the extension go over or under trunk at the end and should it be flush all across the back along the bumper crossmember
thanks all




Offline 340Challman

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Re: 73 Barracuda Rocker and trunk floor replacement
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2015 - 10:17:30 AM »
Just got done doing this on my Challenger. I'll help as much as I can. On the trunk drop off, the little flap goes on top of the trunk floor at least it did on my Challenger. The back section of the drop off (the flange portion that folds vertical up) should be fairly flush with the trunk floor flange. That and the floor flange form the shelf for the tail panel. They wrap up on the outside of the tail panel. Again this is how my Challenger is.
As for the rocker panel I hope for the sake of your sanity that you don't need to replace the whole rocker. Mine was only bad on the very bottom and half up the side back at the point where the quarter overlaps. After looking at the complexity of replacing the entire rocker I decided to replace just the bad section. I don't know if there are other areas of the car that have that many panels coming together, I hope not, but I did not want to open that can of worms. I cut off the lower section of the lock pillar to give me access to the inner brace that is spot welded to the rocker. In your first picture if you stick your head down by the rear wheel and look forward towards the lock pillar you should be able to see the flange on the inner brace I'm referring to. It is sandwiched between the outer visible portion of the lock pillar and the rocker. Once I had access to this flange I drilled out the spot weld and folded it up just enough to gain access to that vertical portion of the rocker. I then cut horizontally along that vertical portion forward until I was beyond the rust and then cut straight down to that lower flange where the floor and the inner rocker all meet. There is one problem with this method however, the profile of the AMD rocker did not match the profile of the original rocker very well and needed to be persuaded to the same shape. I have not got to the front of the car so I can't help you much on the front portion of the rocker. I'm hoping mine is good. I'm glad to see that you are replacing the entire outer wheel house completely. That was I think my biggest mistake. I tried to replace only the bad portions and quickly found out that Dodge made the outer wheel houses out of gum wrapper. The metal is somewhere around 21 gauge if there were such a gauge. The AMD outer is close to 18 gauge. Butt welding those two together was not an enjoyable event.    :banghead:
I hope I understood what you were needing and hope that my ramblings helped somehow. It looks like you have an original B5 Cuda there. My Challenger is also B5. Am looking forward to seeing a fresh layer of B5 on mine.  :cheers:
Oh, sorry I didn't take pictures and it is all buttoned up now. sorry for no visual aids.
« Last Edit: February 20, 2015 - 10:20:05 AM by 340Challman »
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Offline 3D

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Re: 73 Barracuda Rocker and trunk floor replacement
« Reply #2 on: February 20, 2015 - 11:30:22 PM »
Hello,
I just replaced the full rocker on the drivers side and I have the drivers rear quarter off on my '70 'Cuda.
I working on it all day tomorrow so I'll take some pics for ya.
Get yourself a good spotweld remover and a narrow step bit. Works like a charm. Just remember when using the step bit that you will have to weld the new panel in from the opposite side as it makes a hole in both panels (not the best if you want to reuse a panel).
When your using the spot weld cutter, mark the center of each spot weld with a paint marker and punch the center of each one. This way when you drill, it helps keep it centererd. Also try and use a nice slow speed NOT full blast. You'll just get aggravated and keep slipping. Wear gloves!
The best way I found to locate the spot weld was holding a small bright flashlight parallel to the spot weld face.
If you have to use the step drill and have to fill the hole back in with weld, hold a piece of brass behind the metal while your welding. It helps to prevent burn through and making bigger holes.
Cheers.

Offline 3D

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Re: 73 Barracuda Rocker and trunk floor replacement
« Reply #3 on: February 20, 2015 - 11:38:10 PM »
Also,
Once you get the old rocker off, I would just screw the new one on in place with some sheet metal screws untill you fit the rear quarter. Same applies to the rear inner rocker.
Once everything fits to your liking, mark all holes that need to be punched/drilled for replacement while it's screwed on. This will eliminate unnessecary holes and make sure you have a backing to your welds.
 :burnout:

Offline Riceman65

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Re: 73 Barracuda Rocker and trunk floor replacement
« Reply #4 on: February 21, 2015 - 04:30:02 AM »
thanks for all the replies.. I did end up putting extension flaps on top. pics would be great. I have spot weld drill and reg spotweld drill bits getting pretty proficient with both. clecos and pliers have been handy also lol
took a break today and removed drip rails. about 20 spot weld total. this drill is great but depth adjustment is finicky

Offline larry4406

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Re: 73 Barracuda Rocker and trunk floor replacement
« Reply #5 on: February 21, 2015 - 07:52:14 AM »
How does that tool work?  What is the purpose of the "arm" on it, to act as a clamp?

Offline 3D

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Re: 73 Barracuda Rocker and trunk floor replacement
« Reply #6 on: February 21, 2015 - 08:42:06 AM »
That spot welder tool looks pretty cool and I bet it works great. What's it worth?
I just used the spot weld remover that fits in a drill.

Offline anlauto

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Re: 73 Barracuda Rocker and trunk floor replacement
« Reply #7 on: February 21, 2015 - 09:50:05 AM »
I'm curious too....With that arm there's a lot of spot welds you wouldn't be able to reach to drill out ? :clueless:
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Offline Riceman65

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Re: 73 Barracuda Rocker and trunk floor replacement
« Reply #8 on: February 21, 2015 - 01:26:37 PM »
arms for bracing (removable)but it work like a regular spot weld remover bit also. the two arms along side control depth.  the whole front assembly moves forward when you pull the trigger. has very precise speed control and the version I have is 500 rpm

Offline 3D

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Re: 73 Barracuda Rocker and trunk floor replacement
« Reply #9 on: February 21, 2015 - 03:42:40 PM »
What's it worth?

Offline Riceman65

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Re: 73 Barracuda Rocker and trunk floor replacement
« Reply #10 on: February 21, 2015 - 04:18:29 PM »
two months ago it was $185.00 on amazon ASTRO PNEUMATIC AIR SPOT WELD DRILL KIT 1755 now I just see the newer model around $220
worked great removing the roof skin. still contemplating that rocker lol

Offline 3D

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Re: 73 Barracuda Rocker and trunk floor replacement
« Reply #11 on: February 26, 2015 - 11:26:58 AM »
what exactly do you need pictures of?

Offline Riceman65

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Re: 73 Barracuda Rocker and trunk floor replacement
« Reply #12 on: February 26, 2015 - 08:29:00 PM »
how you did your full rockers.. I wanna take that on but man o man  what a task.
prob gonna brace then cut door jamb bottom(or get new door jamb)to get to rocker not sure about front half though

Offline 3D

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Re: 73 Barracuda Rocker and trunk floor replacement
« Reply #13 on: February 28, 2015 - 07:13:03 PM »
Here's some pictures, I have a lot more on my other camera.
I was repairing A pillar damage so i just cut it off anywhere, but if your trying to save your A piller you will need to remove the rocker and cut iy off from the bottom as theres a big plate inside it that spot welded to the rocker, same as the door jamb.

Offline Challenger in NC

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Re: 73 Barracuda Rocker and trunk floor replacement
« Reply #14 on: March 01, 2015 - 01:10:57 PM »
Any one have and tips or pictures of replacement of the entire rocker panel? any ideas n pics welcome.
Looks like a ton of spot welds top and bottom. problems may be the door jamb area and front door hinge area
also trunk floor extension questions. does the extension go over or under trunk at the end and should it be flush all across the back along the bumper crossmember
thanks all

If you want to see an exercise in rocker panel replacement, check out

https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PL59MjRcWz6I0JUPS3MXZ-esxnkM0cYYzR&v=ulOsWUzNL0k

If you are not offended by bad language, have a look. This is for a 68 mustang restoration, but there are some interesting tips that might be applicable. Splicing in a rocker may not be the ideal situation but it might save some work, don't know for sure. I have not replaced a rocker before but I know it's a pain in the ass. At the very least, the video series that "My friend Pete"  produces can be informative and entertaining. There is also a part 2 to the rocker panel replacement and a whole series of videos that show the restoration of this mustang. Even though it's not a mopar, much of the construction of the big 3 was the same. Hope this provides some level of education and a few laughs.
« Last Edit: March 01, 2015 - 01:13:14 PM by Challenger in NC »