aftermarket rocker panels (rust repair)

[sandrew]

When searching I only found posts referring to Gen 1 & 2 rocker panels being available. Nothing for Gen 3.

Digging through Google I found these: http://www.rustrepair.com/repair_panels/onlinecat.htm?r=ru&p=sm

(the link doesn't go directly there...you have to choose 'Ford Cars' then 'Taurus 96-07')

I have a friend who is a welder/fabricator who could probably fit these. If he can't, his Dad is a retired Boilermaker (master welder) who has been restoring Harleys for the last 10 years and has all the toys...err...tools.

Do these look like they'll work?

If so, any tips? It looks like the doors will have to be removed for access when cutting/welding. The fronts will be a bit of a PITA since I've run new speaker wire. I'll have to pull the carpet back in the front and splice in some bullet connectors so the doors can be removed.

thanks,

Scott

 

[HotRodKid]

as far a im concerned, aftermarket body panels are only a good option when:

a) good used parts would take months or even years to find
b) you want a fast repair and dont care how it fits (ie: ins repair on a borderline totaled daily beater thats already got 200k on it)

if you want to put on new rockers, find a JY down south that will give you COMPLETE rockers from a car in the yard. they will come w/ a bit of floor and a bit of the pillars / quarter panel attached.

your speaker wires are of no concern here, expect to have to rip out all the lower interior panels, all the seats, roll the carpet onto the center console, pull the fenders, weather stripping ...

enjoy

 

[shadownos4]

I redid mine on the old 97 and had my friend here at the shop I work at fab them up. We did not have to take off the doors on mine, but it all depends on how far up the rust goes. Plus the dog legs are probably rotting out, also the door bottoms might need to be looked at. All I can say is find a good fabricator/welder and have at her.