Rocker Panel dents (14 Viewers)

[Dudleyfj40]

Hello again, I have a pretty solid FJ55, the rockers had some well earned dents from her working days in the past. Well, this weekend I had it out on the trails and rubbed her in a couple more spots. What are you guys doing to get them out? I see a lot of solid body work jobs on here. I was thinking of drilling holes on the inside, using them to get to the dents, then putting plastic plugs. One to get out the dents, two to get it a good rust preventions coating in there. I have cut rockers on my 80 series and added a slider in there in the past. Don't want to do that with this one. Wanting to keep the factory paint and patina.
Thanks!

 

[RUSH55]

Try the painless dent removal techniques like the glued-on studs that you pull with either a slide hammer or a bridge. I think @Gordobe used one of these to pull a dent recently with good results.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Rockers are going to be much more difficult to pull (or push for that matter) than body panels. Given the other love taps (driver's rear quarter for example), why are you concerned with the rockers? Driver's side rocker looks okay from the photo. Maybe a photo of the area would be helpful.

 

[Dudleyfj40]

That was the before picture. Passengers where dented, now drivers are dented.
I tried the glue and slide hammer on the rear quarters with no luck. Too thick of metal.

 

[bobm]

Just gonna dent again

 

[Dudleyfj40]

Im going to attach real sliders if we take it out on these trails again. I had a plan to stay on beaten path, I strayed, I paid.

 

[bobm]

Adds character . Mine dont dent sorry had too .

 

[Old Nick]

Im going to attach real sliders if we take it out on these trails again. I had a plan to stay on beaten path, I strayed, I paid.

Since bobm isn't making rockers any longer, we're basically out of luck if we want factory style replacements for repairs.

I will add this caveat in advance: I have not bought these panels, and the seller has taken a bit of a beating in recent years for slow transactions... but, this option is out there if you want to bring your rockers back to something close to factory:

Outer Rocker Panel - Right - FJ55 - 1968-1979

Outer Rocker Panel - Right - FJ55 - 1968 - 1979

cruisercorps.com

I'm likely going to spring for a pair as my rig had the outer rockers cut off, years ago, and replaced with rectangular tubing.

 

[bobm]

 

[Old Nick]

I can't tell if you're running away from, or toward those patch panels... lol.

 

[Old Nick]

Also, there was this thread posted a couple of months ago.

Thread 'Need rockers for your 55?'

Jun 4, 2025

Just looking to see if anyone needs some of these. In the past, when the 55 rockers were rusted, I had a method to repair them. I would cut access holes in the rocker, sandblast them and then seal with a POR15 type product. My feeling is, with the 55, there is usually some rust in the rockers...even if it isnt showing yet. Anyway, rather than patch each cutout, I have had luck with my HVAC guy bending me some rocker covers. There is plenty of room under the doors to fit these in. I know I can have both sides made for under $200. Not sure how I would ship. This is really not my thing, but I...

• wdukes
• Replies: 0
• Forum: FJ55 Iron Pig Preservation Society

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[Dudleyfj40]

If they were rusted I would cut them out. Their not dented to bad, I will get something figured out to keep the original paint intact.

Thanks for the links.

 

[bobm]

Heat, dentpull, repeat

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I will get something figured out to keep the original paint intact.

Looks close to rusting through on the roof. Driver's door hasn't been "touched up"? Maybe quite a bit of the white as well? I think you're going to have to do something at some point. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Dudleyfj40]

I have plans of coating the patina on the roof. I also have a search out for the proper Nebula Green driver door. Shown is a later year that the po had put on. It's a rescue, I love the way it looks now except the door and the new dents. Ha