Making Rear Quarters: If a fabricator can do it, how hard can it be? (2 Viewers)

[1973barnfind]

Wow! i'm digging the quarter panels, but that tub floor looks awesome!
I wander, what do your rocker panels look like?

 

[sterling]

Wow impressive man , just read the whole post.

Keep it up!

 

[duffontap]

Wow! i'm digging the quarter panels, but that tub floor looks awesome!
I wander, what do your rocker panels look like?

Thanks barnfind! The floor was a really fun project. Finding a way to put corrugation in heavy 16 gauge steel with no special tools was gratifying, even though the finished product isn't pretty. It's functional and rust free, and that's good enough for me. Oh, and my driver's side rocker needs to be replaced, so I'll need to figure that out.

@sterling, thank you for your kind words. Updates in the next day or two.

 

[skully3]

Oh, and my driver's side rocker needs to be replaced, so I'll need to figure that out.

I have a set of new rockers that were made by a shop....i will try to post up some pictures of how they are made tonight. they look really simple compared to what you have already done. the inner is real easy just some bends, the hard part will be the door seat. lookin good on the progress!

 

[duffontap]

Oh, and my driver's side rocker needs to be replaced, so I'll need to figure that out.

I have a set of new rockers that were made by a shop....i will try to post up some pictures of how they are made tonight. they look really simple compared to what you have already done. the inner is real easy just some bends, the hard part will be the door seat. lookin good on the progress!

Thanks skully, I'd love a pic of the rockers; right now it looks like the only part I'll need to replace is the driver's side outer (you can see in the fitment photo how tweaked it is, but there isn't any rust to speak of).

 

[skully3]

rocker in and out

here are the inner and outer rockers that were made for my 73. LMK if you need better pics or some dimensions.

 

[Hoz FJ40 CO]

Check out my old build thread, page 4 and 5 for custom made rear quarters/rockers. Mike at Vonhagen Offroad makes these from 16 gauge steel. Subscribed, this is a great thread. Nice work btw.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/492295-hoz-78-fj40-restoration-4.html

 

[duffontap]

here are the inner and outer rockers that were made for my 73. LMK if you need better pics or some dimensions.

Thanks skully! Someone did some nice work on those rockers. I'll look into mine a little more and see how far I need to go. I'm hoping to be able to just cut below the door seal seat and work with 90 degree angles. We'll see.

@Hoz FJ40 CO, don't know how I've failed to ever turn that build up in my searches. Nice work!

 

[duffontap]

Back at it . . .

Well, it's about time for photographic evidence of the 3 hours I've put into my rig since my last post. My holdup was a butchered set of rear corner channels. I know they're cheap, but I wanted to see what I could do with some scrap first. Then, life got busy with grad school, etc., etc.

Turns out you can produce pretty good 90 degree angles with a vise, a hammer and a cold chisel. Old news to most of you I'm sure. Anyway, here is what I managed:

This probably took about an hour per channel. They're ok. About as pretty as the floor is--a little hammered but functional.


The profiles are decent and test fitment was mostly good news.


Now my holdup will be trying to decide if I want to try and sponge some paint onto the insides of the top rails. They're starting to rust inside and now's my chance with the corner channels off. Anyone ever try that?

I have a little time off coming up starting late next week, so progress should pick back up.

 

[belaw]

Well, it's about time for photographic evidence of the 3 hours I've put into my rig since my last post. My holdup was a butchered set of rear corner channels. I know they're cheap, but I wanted to see what I could do with some scrap first. Then, life got busy with grad school, etc., etc.

Turns out you can produce pretty good 90 degree angles with a vise, a hammer and a cold chisel. Old news to most of you I'm sure. Anyway, here is what I managed:

This probably took about an hour per channel. They're ok. About as pretty as the floor is--a little hammered but functional.
[URL="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/duffontap/Vise.jpg"] [/URL]

The profiles are decent and test fitment was mostly good news.
[URL="http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q35/duffontap/Profiles.jpg"] [/URL]

Now my holdup will be trying to decide if I want to try and sponge some paint onto the insides of the top rails. They're starting to rust inside and now's my chance with the corner channels off. Anyone ever try that?

I have a little time off coming up starting late next week, so progress should pick back up.

I was following this thread but missed your latest post until I picked it up in a search for "corner channel."

I'm about to have to replace a rotten sill, and I'm confused how it ties in to everything. Are the corner channels the full extent of the pillars on either side of these doors? The reason I ask is that my current sill and the pillars are non-original 2x2 square tube installed by the PO. I'm wondering if the original design had the entire load between the upper rail and the sill carried by sheet metal channels.

 

[duffontap]

I'm wondering if the original design had the entire load between the upper rail and the sill carried by sheet metal channels.

On my tub it is (other years may be different), but it's a lot of sheet metal. You have the quarter panel itself, which laps the corner channel, which laps the wheel well, which also connects to the quarter panel. On my '77 tub the upper support for the spare tire mount also bridges the gap between the top rail and the wheel well.

Here's a CCOT pic that may help:

I should be installing these this week. I'll try to take good pics. In the mean time, I'll lower my standards even more so I can actually get something done. Making a mental note to not view any of the high-end builds for a few days. Cheers, JD

 

[bikersmurf]

How long is that piece supposed to be? I've seen it elsewhere, but it's not easy to find.

My tub was so far gone, I had to guess...

 

[alaska60]

This thread brings back some memories........

nice work. Very impressive for a first attempt.

looking forward to seeing it all buttoned up and the wifey all proud of you too!!!

 

[acoleFJ80]

Nice work. Some day I will tackle this...

 

[belaw]

On my tub it is (other years may be different), but it's a lot of sheet metal. You have the quarter panel itself, which laps the corner channel, which laps the wheel well, which also connects to the quarter panel. On my '77 tub the upper support for the spare tire mount also bridges the gap between the top rail and the wheel well.

Here's a CCOT pic that may help:

I should be installing these this week. I'll try to take good pics. In the mean time, I'll lower my standards even more so I can actually get something done. Making a mental note to not view any of the high-end builds for a few days. Cheers, JD

Pics would be appreciated (mainly because I still can't get my head around how the sill attaches to the channel)

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[belaw]

On my tub it is (other years may be different), but it's a lot of sheet metal. You have the quarter panel itself, which laps the corner channel, which laps the wheel well, which also connects to the quarter panel. On my '77 tub the upper support for the spare tire mount also bridges the gap between the top rail and the wheel well.

Here's a CCOT pic that may help:


I should be installing these this week. I'll try to take good pics. In the mean time, I'll lower my standards even more so I can actually get something done. Making a mental note to not view any of the high-end builds for a few days. Cheers, JD

JD:

Did you ever install the corner channels? Were you able to take pictures to share????

Brian

 

[mudpaws]

Sick job...those look just like factory! Now if I could just make a set here...hmmm

 

[Slickdog]

Just found this thread, what were the final results?
you should be able to get a job in one of those TV show custom shops. Really good work and lots ingenuity! Necessity is the mother of invention as they say.

 

[Townsend]

Just found this thread, what were the final results?

Second...