hey haven't been on this forum since I had my 1995 f150 (miss that strait sixer). Here is my question I bought a 2001 ford f150 supercrew with rusted rocker panels a year ago now there gone I have some tube steps attached wondering what the panel is that they attach to cause that seems pretty rusty as well and wondering if there is anyway of replacing it and if so where can I find it? I found all kinds of the outer rocker but not that inner rocker? if that is what you call it.
Thanks if anyone has ideas.

 

I had the same problem with an extended cab (2000 F150 Lariat). I took off the running boards, ripped and cleaned out all the rusted metal of the outer and inner rockers I could get to, and painted the edges with POR15. I'm not a welder, so I cut (had to buy an angle grinder) and bolted on some panels of 16 gauge steel to the good metal that was left of the inner rockers (about half of the original). I also painted the new panels with POR15. I cut out thinner gauge galvanized steel sections, bent them to the approximate shape of the outer rockers, and fastened them to the good upper sections of the outer rockers with panel cement and rivets. I also had to fix a section of cab bottom near the parking brake pass-through. I used fiberglass and regular body putty to smooth it out and painted it. I fastened the running boards back on to the inner rockers with new bolts and they are solid. You can tell it isn't a professional job if you get under the truck, but it was a lot cheaper than one. It looks a lot better than most of the trucks I see with the rotted panels hanging down. Total cost was probably $200 or so including the angle grinder. It did take a lot of time last summer and I had to learn to use the grinder and how to make rough bends in metal with hammers and boards.

 

They have a body and paint section in the forum.do a search for
rocker panels you might find something
Paint & Bodywork - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

 

THe brackets that mount the running boards are like 1/8 inch thick heavly angle iron / plates. They are not part of the rocker panels. Im not sure you can remove them, think they are welded on. You can add stiffeners with a welder, or grind off and build new ones on a bench. I did not replace mine when i did the rocker panels (just cut them off) as the heavier plates were still 90% intact.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l-repairs.html

 

On my 2000, the running board brackets are bolted to the inner rocker panels and are easily removable (with some allowance for rusted bolts).

 

Yeah I guess I was just looking to see if anyone had any ideas where I could find those inner rocker panels. Like I said I can find the outer panels in a half dozen places but I cant find the inners. I need to put the side steps back on so my old relitives can get in the truck cause a couple are just too old to drive. I guess I can just reinforce the old stuff.

 

take one off and run down to a fab shop. I think someone could make a reasonable looking replacement from 1/8 inch plate pretty easy.

 

thanks for all the replies guys. I am not looking for the bracket plates that hold the running boards I was actually looking for the sheet metal that is the actual inner rocker panel all the rocker panels that I find are just the outers i think not inner where the plate bolts to. the running boards are brand new along with all the mounting hardware.

 

As suggested above, I think you will need to take some measurements and get a "custom fab" of some 1/8" metal sections to weld or bolt to the existing inner rockers, unless you want to cut and shape some panels yourself as I did. It would take a lot of cutting to remove all of the old inner rockers from the cab body. They aren't just fastened on to the outside of the cab as the outer rockers are. What I did was just to cut away the rusty parts, rustproof, and fasten metal sections to what was left. I'm sure a body shop would do it for you, but I just wasn't prepared to spend $1000 or more on an old truck.

Here is a link to a picture of one section of the inner rockers showing the "patch panel" I added. I also had to drill holes for the bolts that hold on the running boards
https://picasaweb.google.com/1133845...33334057399682

 

These replacement inserts can be purchased. It is a cut and weld operation from there. Are the cab door bolster areas sound? Here is where things get touchy, will it last, repair options critical to ownership smiles. Usually the rust is cancerous spreading throuout the near area as much as a foot away from obvious ground zero. Possibly the floor panel needs repairs also. It has also been true, somewhat, the higher up the ruck sets the less rust problems in these areas.


http://www.lmctruck.com/scripts/mgrq...K,-AFE&Make=FD

 

no aftermarket panel replacement companies make the inner rockers or the rocker braces that mount to the cab floors. you either have to make them yourself or go to ford and see if they are still available. I am having the same issues with my 98 expy.. and as far as I can tell on the outer rockers you can only get them made for a screw cab and have to make them fit your application. hope this helps.

 

not sure about this application, but a company called LMC truck makes sections of replacement panels for a number of different trucks. ex-girlfriend had an s-10 and i ordered the lower cab corners and rocker. they fit well, i tack-welded them in, then the usual bondo and sanding.....etc. good luck on your project!!!

 

on a hunch i went to LMC truck web site and found the rocker covers '97 to '03 f150 available in standard, super, and super crew on page 17 of their icatalog. good luck again, and if i was any help, alittle positive feedback is always appreciated by clicking the red heart in the upper right corner of my post.

 

I understand exactly what you are looking for. I'm posting a link to some pictures of the job I did on my 2000. Pictures 5, 7, 8, and 13-16 are of the "patch" panels I put on the inner rockers. As you can see, this was a lot of work.
https://picasaweb.google.com/1133845...Onn7JmurtSVCg#