53 Chevy Panel Van Rockers Question

[nite53]

I have 1953 Chevy Panel Van needing rocker panels. The design is totally different from the pick ups as the bottom of it comes out towards the doors.
Anyone know of replacement panels?

[Steve@OldSub.com]

Can you post some pictures showing how they are different from the pickups. I've never noticed any difference.

[nite53]

I'll try to figure out how to post some pics. My panel is a one ton if that could make any differences.
Mike

[Steve@OldSub.com]

I don't think there is much difference from the doors forward on a 1-ton panel, 1/2-panel and a pickup. I have a 1-ton panel and may need to go out and look at it again.

What do you mean by rocker panels? I'm thinking the panel that is between the floor and the running board that ends up behind the door when closed. Could you mean the body panel that is between the door and the rear fender?

[nite53]

Steve,
The panel I'm referring to, is behind the door, and the door closes up against it. Yes, right below the floorboards, and goes to the Lower Hinge pillar and the rear door jamb verticals. I'll try to get some pics.
Thanks

[nite53]

I've taken some pics of the rocker panels, but can't figure out how to post tehm! Steve@oldsub, I sent them to you to see if you would post the pics. Thanks, Ya'll,
Mike

[nite53]

http://s981.photobucket.com/albums/a...20Panel%20Van/

[Steve@OldSub.com]

I've been busy this morning and apparently you solved the photo posting problem without me.

Those look to me just like the pickup ones. But I'll walk outside and look at a couple of them and compare to my Suburban and 1-ton panel to be sure. I might even take some pictures...

[Steve@OldSub.com]

Its hard to be sure when looking at photos if you're seeing distortion from the lenses or camera angle or if something is really curved or bent. The photos are small enough that even at maximum zoom some details are hard for my aged eyes to see.

I just took a walk and looked at two Suburbans, a panel, two pickups, a 1-ton and a GMC 3-ton.

They all look the same to me. Not all of mine have running boards, but those that do the lower edge of the rocker lines up with the outside edge of the upper edge of the running board.

This picture is of my 1-ton GMC truck. Note how the rocker lines up with the running board and is really over it from this angle.



Here you can see the curve in the front on this 3-ton GMC cab.



And here is the same curve in the front of a Suburban.



Sorry about the dry grass right across the part you want to see... And for the poor cell phone pictures, but they show what you want to look at.

More pictures at higher resolution are parked here and they include a couple more trucks if the photos I choose don't show it clear enough.

[1sik52]

looks the same to me!

[nite53]

Steve, and everybody,
Thanks for the pics and all the help! I'm sure, after looking at the pics, the rockers are teh same, p/u, panel, and burb.
I've got the right corner to rebuild, I want to patch the floorboard, since building a rod,
but I'm thinking I will replace the rocker, the inner cowl patch panel,
and scab on a kick panel.
Also will need to get a lower hinge pillar.
Where do I begin, to hold it all together, is there a procedure ya'll would recommend?
I'm thinking floor,
door pillar,
rocker,
inner cowl.
Your thoughts, and again, a BIG thank You!
Mike

[Steve@OldSub.com]

It really depends on what panels you need to replace. Brace the door openings and between the openings.

As for which panels it really depends on which ones you need to do. Think through what order they need to go back on in and make sure your' approach lets it happen.

[SUBURBANlinoleum]

If you end up needing any patchpanel from the "B" pillar, BACK (anything SUBURBAN/PANEL-specific...and you likely will), here is the only guy I have heard of, making them.

Not sure how complete his product line is, but he is highly recommended on the Stovebolt.com thread I am giving you the link to:

Good luck.

AS I WAS TOLD,

"...Ray Stanley is the guy that makes the panel/suburban patch panels. He does nice work and will do some custom pieces too.

http://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/...rue#Post596784

"Some of his parts are available form Jim Carter's too".

[Big Port Jimmy 6]

I have a set of Rays 1/4 panel patches, from the rear fender forward and they are NICE. Jay

[Fred T]

Here's the contact for Ray (Metalman)

Ray Stanley
Wheelwright Restorations
92 Pine Street
Wheelwright, MA 01904
1-413-477-6467

[nite53]

thanks for Ray's info.