Repair 83 GMC SWB 2wd Rockers, cab corners, footwells, and more

[sphinx]

I've got o do the samething on my '76.  I have a bit more to do on the floor pans as well.  I be following your thread for good ideas!  Thanks for posting.

[nlauffer]

Following this one might take you awhile.  I am bad at getting in progress pictures and am working on a motor at the same time.  Money going different directions and 3 kids make this a slow build.  But, I will try to take more pics knowing you are watching. 

I know there are not a lot of perfect how to's out there, as I have looked, but one on here is a great start.  It is where I got most of my understanding of this from, but none of totally made sense until I actually started cutting.

[nlauffer]

Make sure you look through this one about a hundred times.

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,5661.0.html 

[nlauffer]

I ordered inner and outer rocker, but then ordered an outer cab floor.  I like the outer cab floor better than inner rocker.  It is a better help for me than the inner rocker.  I will try to get side by side pics.  Also, I wish I would have cut more of my outer rocker off so I could get to the inner rocker better.  I still have the pieces I cut from all my patch panels, but I don't know if I want to try to patch to pieces in to the same one or just order another outer rocker and start again.

[sphinx]

I fully understand the time and money issues.  I have two older kids at home and hold down a 45 plus hour week job.  I am ready to replace my rockers and floor pans, but I have never welded before.  I got a Lincoln and some shielding gas but have not had the time to practice on scrape sheet metal.  Thanks agian for posting our work.  I agree there is not a lot ino on the web that explains what you are looking at when you see the parts.  I downloaded the body manuals studied the parts and still am not sure about the inner, outer, OEM and universal rocker panels.

[nlauffer]

No more pics just yet, but I did get the drivers side footwell panel removed and more sheetmetal cut out. Still cutting and fitting. I did acquire a passenger side fender for free this evening. So I no longer have to fix mine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

[nlauffer]

Here are some more pics if the progress. No real  progress just more cutting and removing. I am close to getting the footwell patch and floor support welded in.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Elpresidente]

I did my cab corners before and it bugs me because they ended up slightly skewed. but you wouldn't know unless you looked at the bodylines of the box and cab corner; so I was going to say try and align the cab corner along the rocker and up to the box bodyline before removing the box....i'm too late. lol

[nlauffer]

My wife always tells me I get too many projects going at one time. I don't want to make a liar out of her, so I've added another project to my pickup build.

It took me awhile but I rounded up the gauges that I want to use. They are Autometer # 1499 5" in dash tach and # 1489 5" in dash 120 mph speedo with Hall effect switch adapter. I don't remember which line they are from. I am using Equus fuel, volts, temp, and oil pressure. I still need to cut out the bezel to fit the gauges and remove the clear shield and gauges from the back green piece. After that I am going to fix a few cracks with epoxy before I reliant it. I want to use the aluminum bezel but I don't think it will fit with my Auto meter gauges. They seem to want to sit on the surface. So I'm not sure exactly what I'll do about that yet. Last I am going to wire up a nice connector to attach to the stock wiring harness. I might use a weatherpac type connector to do this. I don't know how many connections I'll need yet, but I think it might be somewhere around 8 connection connector.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sphinx]

Nice looking guages.  I thought about going that route but did want to give up the $s. How do they set in the dash.  What Im trying to ask is does the angle of the surface mounted guages make them harder to see?  When I was thinking about adding a tach and moving the fuel guage, but I was worried that the placement angle might make them hard to read.  Keep us updated.

[Irish_Alley]

its does mess with the angle that you can see the gauges. when looking at it head on theres no problem but if you are only 3' tall this would be the only time you can look at the head on. you can still get a ideal of where your needles are at but the gauges will be staring down at your lap

[nlauffer]

Here are a few more photos.  These are the frame paint.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[nlauffer]

Couple more. More painting.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sphinx]

Looking Good!  Give us some details on the frame painting.  What prep did you do? What paint? How did you apply it? I really like the motor mount treatment.

[nlauffer]

I scraped and wire brushed the big stuff. Then I sprayed it with Napa brand engine degreaser. That worked great. Then used a pressure washer and let it dry. I sprayed duplicolor undercoating on everything. It gave it kind of a rubbery coating and looked dark brown. So I used black spray paint and coated it.