1952-59 Ford Rocker Panel Mess/Questions

Texas57, thanks! I appreciate it. Any insight on the construction is appreciated. As you can see in that picture, there's not much left and unfortunately it got worse. There was nothing left of the forward section of the rocker so I don't have anything to reference. my lower front quarter is nothing but bondo either. I can tell there is a seam and looks like an overlap where the rocker meets the inner rear quarter, which also looks like the inner rocker.

 

chris,, how are you doing? feel free to call customer service, a few more pics are always good, we will help as much as we can "the ems guy"

 

Getting there, thanks. Made some more repairs and very close to being able to start installing the inner rockers

 

chris, now with your new pics, the problem you're an into is the lower front door post, these rust often, this part is on our list of things to make soon

 

yeah, that whole front area around the toe board and door post was all rotted out.

 

I might be a bit late but I've just repaired that area on both sides of my 56 victoria

Put the doors on and the ratchet strap the car into line as the rockers kind of hold the whole body in line. Do this when its on its wheels or at least jacked up on the A arms and rear axle. A point of interest is to note that the inner rocker actually meets behind that apron where the shoulder of the rocker meets.

That is an EMS replacement rocker. I've put both outer rockers, and drivers front and rear quarters and the inner rear quarter on this 56. She is now 100% metal and rust free... finally.

Also... I'm in New Zealand... its not too far away to get good quality bits shipped to.

 

Looks good. I am curious why the need to jack it up on suspension components rather than the frame when lining things up though?

 

Because the frame will bend and deflect differently depending on where the load is going into it. If you are supporting the car by its wheels or somewhere close to them, the frame is going to be loaded the same as it would be if it was sitting on its wheels. Fitting panels with the frame not supported by the wheels creates the possibility that the frame flex will pull the panels around and cause panel alignment issues.

 

Ah, that makes sense. I guess I should not ***ume the frame had the integrity to keep it all in line. Glad someone mentioned it as I'm pretty close to putting my rockers and quarters on.

 

yup... what he said. there is a bit of flex in these old girls too...
I find getting the doors to fit right depends on it. The rockers and quarters provide structure to the body and to get the panel gap for the doors right, everything has to sit right. The strapping is to provide structure until the the rockers are welded.