lookin for some encouragement/ advice

[ridered333]

ok so i started doing rockers inner and outers and cab corners and cab supports i did one cab corner on the pass side and it wasnt to bad tonight i started on the driver side now ive never done any body work before i just started cutting started with the cab corner then cut out the rocker then the inner rocker man i dunno theres quite a bit of rust not a ton but enough basically im getting disgouraged cuz i dont kno what im doing really and just tryin to figure it out as i go

[Jakeklem]

I saw the pics in your thread in the project section and it seems like you're doing great. You made a lot of progress with the frame and drivetrain, keep it up! And you did a good job on the cab corner too. Body work does take a while though so it takes patience. When I replaced the rocker and cab corner on my cab I didn't know what I was doing. I thought I was going to screw it all up, but when I was done it looked like it belonged.
Just remember measure twice, cut once.
I'm no expert, but I do have experience. Anything specific you want advice on?

[VEGAS84]

Looks like you're doing fine. There's no need to rush it.

Take the time to measure and fit everything before you final weld it. Try to remove as few parts at a time. Since you started with the cab corner, finish it, making sure it lines up in the exact same place the old one did. Double check the back, bottom, and along the door jamb. Then move on to the rockers and do the same.

You may want to reinstall the doors before you finish the rockers to make sure the gaps are good. Align them to the top and back (B-pillar) and then check that the rockers are in the right place.

Like Jakekelm said above, it just takes patience and it will come out perfect. Good luck, looks like it's coming along well, keep your build updated for us.

[ridered333]

thanks alot guys i guess i just gotta keep at it and just take my time right now i think i went a little too far to do one thing at a time cuz ive got the cab corner cut out the rocker out the inner rocker out i guess ill just have to take a little more time when i put it back together... can you do rockers without cutting the cab corners out because they sit on top of the rocker

[Jakeklem]

Ya that will require a little more work to line everything up, but it can be easily done. When you put the new panels in you might want to take measurements from the other side of the cab and compare to make sure you have the right dimensions. That would suck if after all your hard work the door didnt close. lol
As for replacing a rocker without cutting the cab corner.. I dont see why not! You will have to cut the new rocker back a little where it meets up with the cab corner, but it's no sweat. Leave the seam from the old rocker attached to the cab corner and weld to it! Any more pics of your progress?!

[ridered333]

yeah ill prob tack the rocker in place and bolt the door back on to see how it looks then pull the door back off ind finish weld it dont have any pics of the progress right now everything is just cut out im gonna try to get over there tonight to get some work done but im not sure if im gonna be able im still at work right now and i have to go help a buddy out after so well see ill snap sum pictures as i go tho

[44gmcnewf]

i havent seen your pictures ... but it helps if you have the doors on to make sure it all lines up. Also while the tack is hot you can hit it with the hammer to help flatten it out a bit its better to have it low the high. filler is gona end up over your edges anyway. Also i like to use blending disks instead of grinders that way you dont leave big gouges in the sheet metal.

[ridered333]

yeah im using like a flap disk seemed to work pretty good on my cab corner

[ridered333]

well i got some good news this kid i know is going to school for auto body and i just found out hes got his certification in rust repair so i called him up yesterday and asked him if he could give me a hand i offered to pay him for his time but he said dont worry about it itll be cool to say i helped so i think were gonna try to bang out the cab rust the weekend after next because ive got alot goin on next weekend and hes at school during the week

[87classic]

Well that's how I learned, from my father and my friends. I've only been doing body work for a about 5 years now and it seems like I learn something new everyday. Soak it all in.