Rocker Panel removal? (1 Viewer)

[brownbear]

Hey All,
My cruiser is back under the cutting off disk...

ten years ago I did a lot of repair to my cruiser and it did not hold up well. Yah I know it's a cruiser with lovely sub par Japanese 80's metal. Built in rust magnets.

Well my rockers have some holes, and I could patch them. Or I could remove them.

But I need to see some pictures. Does any one have any pictures of a 60 series with no rocker panels?

I would then make sliders come right off the frame, Probably weld them on.

I am considering using a 2x3 or 4x6 (1/4) tube to weld into the rocker position, but the prospect of melting sheetmetal to 1/4 metal isn't all that appealing, It's hard enough welding sheet metal with making a hold with my welder on A voltage. The idea of making a million spot welds isn't tickling my fancy.

My cruiser is a camping, expedition type of truck. Maybe if I can get my work done I could take it to Moab.. ten years after my last trip there.

Let's see some cut up rocker, cut up rear quarter pictures please!

I'd also like an alternative to repairing rear 1/4's again. I was thinking of taking 1/8 inch steel (either smooth or diamond) and putting plate over top of the 1/4 panel and giving it amour, per say, while actually covering rust. (rust cut out first). Like this link.

Rusty's Side Guards - XJ Rear Upper Quarter Panel Guards - P/N: RA-JS80-XJ

 

[gt7058a]

This thread has decent pictures of rockers and rear quarters removed.

Family haulin'

 

[stevebradford]

I vote for cutting the rockers off!

My 60 getting a hair cut.

Also cut the lip out of the wheel wells and welded the inner wheel well to the body panel.

 

[Willard]

I do not have pictures of it cut off,

But the PO usd some 2x4 steel and cut the rockers and then used it welded to the body for rock sliders.
He got the idea on Mud so there is a post somewhere, I will see if I can find it.

Aside from the rough welds it looks decent.
I can take a picture later today

 

[stevebradford]

Some others for inspiration!

landcruiser 60 rear quarter cut - بحث Google

 

[Willard]

Here is the rocker
[

Closeup (again ignore the rough welds, not mine but they hold just fine)

 

[brownbear]

The picture in front of the blue and white house is my cruiser LOL.

I cut my rear quarters on angles after welding in new quarter arches ten years ago. But sadly it's not like that right now..

I did it and cut my rockers off. The metal above the rockers was very good. So now I have to decide if I need to close in this shape, weld in a box, or put sliders off the frame.

 

[cruiserpilot]

Kevin from WagonGear did the same thing a few years ago. You could search his build here somewhere. In it
he incorporated a boxed rocker/slider. Did a very clean job. Certainly worth considering if it's rusted away.

 

[brownbear]

Some pictures of the cut off rockers and one heck of a bad spot to fix on a rear 1/4 panel. right in the compound curve

 

[cruisermatt]

I’d cap the rockers and build real sliders off the frame...

 

[Willard]

I’d cap the rockers and build real sliders off the frame...

Depends how you do it, I could not get a good shot of the underside but mine are attached to the frame.


@brownbear

I see nothing that you have posted in the pics that cannot be cut and rewelded with new metal. Take your time and shape it. Use the other side as a template.

Some small welds (do a stitch weld to keep the heat down) and it will be fine. From there clean it up, use a good filler to smooth it out.
I have used anything from a short stand fiberglass to metal filler (it has metal partials in it).

If you want to get real fancy, use a lead or nonlead body solder. I did this on a corner piece in a window frame on one of the vehicles I had.
turned out great and was a metal filler. (eastwood sells this stuff in a kit) all you need is a propane torch, a wood paddle and some patience.

So long and short of it you can fix this.