Where to start

[bboyd]

Ok guys i need some help here on where to start, Im about to get going on my cab(saved the best for last) and i need to replace all the common stuff (rockers,cab corners,and inner rockers) but im not to sure where i should start i was thinking i should just cut  out all the old and start at the inner rocker then the rocker and finish with the cab corner?my experience with body work is very little and the last guy that showed me how to do this said to pop rivet it over the old stuff and well i was young and gullable so i did,just incase you dont already know thats a really bad idea any help is much appreciated thanks
 
also i would just like to say 73-87 chevytrucks is the best site ever it has saved me tons of time and money... keep up the great work capt

[jaredts]

I agree, this is the best site ever.  Search this site for info.  Almost everything you need is here.  I am basically finished with one side of a similar cab repair.  I couldn't have done it without a few key people's input from this site.  In short you need to cut everything out, trim new panels, and screw everything in place.  Check door fit and weld only once every piece has been verified.  The cab corner does go on last.  You didn't mention cab floor support.  If you haven't checked that out yet you might want to have a look.  Another sneaky one is the footwell.  Mine looked perfect until I looked closely at where it met the floor.  One of the biggest challenges is getting up to speed with tools and welding skills if you don't already have that.  This is the best post to start with, although there are others:  http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=5661.0

[bboyd]

Thanks jared i had never even thought about screwing them together first but that sounds like a great idea, i already have the cab floor support aswell just waiting to get some buddys out here to help flip the cab, i just read that post and it looks asthough all the old metal was left on to do that,i dont reeally want to do that it makes a spot for the metal to rust from the inside out

[Captkaos]

Leaving good metal in is fine.  There is no reason to replace a whole section if you don't have to.

[jaredts]

I'm not sure if I know what you mean by "all the old metal was left on to do that".  In the post they cut out what was not sound.  Nothing more.  You definitely don't want to use the entire rocker panel if you don't have to, for example.  On the other hand never weld to rusty, thin metal.  Its always a judgement call.

[Blazin]

When it come to floors etc. I cut out the bad, and trim the new panel to fit  about an 1/8 to a 1/4 bigger. As for rockers. I replace the whole thing 99% of the time even if its only rotted part of it. 9 times out of 10 there is more rust than you can see. But welding is the best but not a must. On a restoration job to a pristine show car yes, but for what most of us are looking to achieve a slight over lap works fine.

[bboyd]

Jarred i was talking about the cab corner at the bottom where he screwed it on, there must have been old metal left in behind that to screw it to.

[Blazin]

The inner cab corner.

[bboyd]

the inner cab corner? on the bottom? mine doesnt have an inner cab corner that goes all the way to the bottom it must have been cut out in one of the previous patch jobs

[Blazin]

Most times you have to replace them too.

[1980c10]

I would start by removing the seat and carpet to see how your floors look. also look at your cab mounts.

[bboyd]

ya the seats and carpet are long gone thats all ok and like i already said in a previous post i already have new cab mounts and the support aswell but thanks c10