Rocker pannels

[Ole Blacky]

I'm gettin ready to weld in some rockers in my new cab. Do I need to do any bracing to the cab before I cut them out. Any other info would be appriciated thanks.

[Jesse Walter]

I just cut the rockers off of mine a couple weeks ago.  I didnt have to do any bracing.  But I think it depends on your cab supports. 

[Ole Blacky]

Well on the new cab to supports are rock solid so I'm guessing it will be ok to just cut them out then?

[jaredts]

If your floor support is good, you might get away with it, but I usually see the door pillar supported when cutting out a rocker--even just a section of rocker.  Haven't done body work on a daily basis in a long time though, so maybe I'm not remembering correctly.  I would at least throw a 2 x 4 under the door hinge for most of the repair, but wouldn't be afraid to take it out from time to time to get things in place.

[Blazin]

I have never braced them off. If they are that bad that the door pillar is going to move you will need it free to reposition it in the correct place anyway.
Check this out, little follow along with one of my customers, and another members cab repairs.

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=5661.0

[Ole Blacky]

Ok thanks guys I was just not sure cause the cab is not on a frame at the moment

[Blazin]

Just fixed my post, must have forgotten to paste the page in!

[HAULIN IT]

If I'm removing the floor & gutter area, I weld a piece across the opening on the inside of the pinchweld, just below the "bulge" area on the door (hidden by the '77-up trim panel, not on the '73-6), this way you can close the door to check fitment. As Blazin' mentioned, the cowl is often back/down if the floor area is weak. A port-a-power or similar jacking tool may be needed, then install the brace.
 As allways...Start by mounting the door your going to use along with good hinges before you start to weld. Lorne