Building rocker panels

[Boghog1]

Hi folks,
I'm looking for input on building my own rocker panels. I was going to do them like Manhatten did but it was going to cost me 300 for the stell, I do have access to a sheet metal brake capable of bending up to ½" sheet steel and experienced person to bend them up for me. I ordered ZMs rockers from BJ to use as a template or just to use in general and then make some sliders. The question is what thickness do you think would be ideal in compramise between weight and strength ?

[Bama Burden]

There are a few very recent threads about this. The consensus seemed to be that 3/16" was acceptable but some were considering 1/4"......I assume you're talking about the slider thickness?

[Boghog1]

Actually about the rocker themselves, I figure if I build them beefy enough I would not need to make sliders

[rustywagoneers_com]

i am doing a set right now, i took the outer skin all the way off, and then measured 2 inches down against the inside skin and took that off at theat 2 inch line... i am using 3x4x1/4 angle 3inch leg against vertical rocker skin - 4 inch leg pointing out toward the outside of the truck (leg is down, under the door area)
then, i took 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" x 3/16" angle and placed that 'up' against the 4 inch leg, and squeezed the 4 inch up toward the body until the 1-1/2" was lined up along the outside line of the old outer skin...

not sure that makes any sense to read...

I will make a DWG and convert it to a PDF if you want to see a little better what i am describing... however if you are actually getting them bent, then you can do whatever you want, just be ready to weld dissimilar thicknesses of steel... and be ready for the quality of the outer skin material to change several times along it's length...

peace
Dave

[Boghog1]

i am doing a set right now, i took the outer skin all the way off, and then measured 2 inches down against the inside skin and took that off at theat 2 inch line... i am using 3x4x1/4 angle 3inch leg against vertical rocker skin - 4 inch leg pointing out toward the outside of the truck (leg is down, under the door area)
then, i took 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" x 3/16" angle and placed that 'up' against the 4 inch leg, and squeezed the 4 inch up toward the body until the 1-1/2" was lined up along the outside line of the old outer skin...

not sure that makes any sense to read...

I will make a DWG and convert it to a PDF if you want to see a little better what i am describing... however if you are actually getting them bent, then you can do whatever you want, just be ready to weld dissimilar thicknesses of steel... and be ready for the quality of the outer skin material to change several times along it's length...

peace
Dave

Thanks, I'm a little worried about the welding so my bender that has about 30 years in the welding business may get used for that too if I have too much trouble doing it myself. He is also collecting some scrap for me to practice with first.