Replacing Rockers

[shoon]

Gonna head to the body shop to get an estimate how much it will cost to have the rockers fixed up. By fixed up I mean cut off all the old rusty metal, and fab up 2 new replacements, and weld them in.

I'll probably paint them and install the rocker moldings after to try and save some cabbage.

Anyone have any idea how much a reasonable price would be?

$500?

 

[Racer X]

You used to be able to buy replacement rockers, but I haven't seen any in quite a while.

 

[Phoenix]

I got estimated 1000$ on my 94 , and that ONLY for the rocker panels. no paint no nothing.

The panels are not made anymore , and they have to fab them up.

 

[shoon]

damnit..

The only reputable body place I would take my car, turned it down. He does not want to deal with it; he doesn't have the time, cause hes too busy painting.

well, the plastic cladding is fairly loose and the rest of the car (bottom of front doors, rear quarter panels above wheel wells, trunk lid lip) are showing signs of rust.

I know if I take the plastic moldings off there is going to be no material left to re-secure them.. Not sure how bad it is; if the uni-body has been compromised or not. I can physically lift the molding off the lip now.. lame!

just put a wavetrac in it too. :cry:

Think I am gonna have to scrap the SHO soon, but hopefully I can squeeze a few more years out of it. Been saving my money and got 20k to put as a down-payment on a house.. was REALLY hoping the SHO would last me until I go through with the house thing.

The power-train is solid (invested lots of money time and parts into it), but the shell is toast.

So.. I guess I'll just drive it for now which sucks.



Drivers Rear Wheel:



Look what I found sitting in the bottom of the rocker!

 

[shoon]

I'm debating whether or not to remove the plastic cladding, and install some of that carpet strip stuff, like the other guy on the forums did.. I'm just really afraid of taking them off and not having material left to secure it too.. but I also dont want these things flying off on the road.

 

[shoon]

Well, I ended up tearing into it today.
Pulled the cladding off, beat the snot out of it, cut off all the old crust metal and tremclad-bombed it.

Used some 4x4 flashing, and some aluminum carpet equalizer bar with self tapping screws.

Not nearly as nice as the other fella who did his rockers.. but for $50 I should get a few more winters out of it.

 

[Ian Macoomb]

Looks like my car. I wouldn't worry about the structural integrity. My car is worse than that and I've auto-x'd and tracked it and it hasn't folded up like a pretzel... yet.

 

[STL. SHO]

www.rustrepair.com

 

[Phokus]

http://www.rustrepair.com/parts_page.htm?r=rr&p=sm-ford.cars-taurus.86
Does that rocker panel fit the 94? It only lists the Gen1 I suppose both bodies are the same down there?

 

[STL. SHO]

http://www.rustrepair.com/parts_page.htm?r=rr&p=sm-ford.cars-taurus.86
Does that rocker panel fit the 94? It only lists the Gen1 I suppose both bodies are the same down there?

I belive they are but not 100% sure.

 

[Phokus]

So if they were; I would just have to cut off the same piece and just weld the new one in?

 

[STL. SHO]

So if they were; I would just have to cut off the same piece and just weld the new one in?

Thats the idea, but your prep work is very important i.e, getting every bit of rust out that you can, using a quality rust inhibitor/sealer, good primer etc. Or just save some extra $$ and have a body shop do it, that way you have a warrenty if anythings wrong.

 

[Phokus]

Oh I was going to ask my regular body shop to do it; but if they said they don't have time to fab rocker panels I'd just bring them those.

I've been to them for a few things and theyre pretty cheap and do good work. I trust them more than Maaco. Maaco is iffy.. for every one fantastic review I see one horrible one.

 

[sperold]

The rocker panel will work for both gen 1 and 2.
Usually the shipping is high on an item like this.
Good luck, that is a good find if it works out (seems dear compared to the fender).
Give some thought to taking a sheet of body metal to a metal working shop (even a heating contractor shop) and having them bend and shape the rocker for you. It is all straight bends, and no merging lines or contours.
You will have enough metal to build a new back for the outside rocker panel as well.

 

[Phokus]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2FMOxaKNR4&feature=related

Doing this doesn't look too bad