What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

About to start my convertible conversion! Rocker boxs ??

bassackwards said:
What are the supports shown in this pic called? The one right below the hole for the steering column?

firewall_right.jpg
Click to expand...
I think the inner fender well also bolts into that and also the rocker box does too a bit below that along the horizontal seam.
 
Are those the floor support braces? I'm thinking about putting one of those on each side further out from the original then adding some diy4x sliders that tie the pillars together then finally maybe a T brace from the center of the rollbar to the center of the windshield frame if it really needs it.
 
When I did the conversion on mine, we swapped just the upper firewall and windshield frame. But I planned on putting a full roll cage in anyway.

B1AF3EBF-A8E4-4E44-A711-313A238DB870.jpeg

3730E125-622C-48F5-9A8E-F30135B179E6.png
 
bassackwards said:
Are those the floor support braces? I'm thinking about putting one of those on each side further out from the original then adding some diy4x sliders that tie the pillars together then finally maybe a T brace from the center of the rollbar to the center of the windshield frame if it really needs it.
Click to expand...

Don’t brace the top of the windshield frame, it’s not strong enough. The goal is to keep the firewall and floor at a 90 degree angle (or whatever angle it’s at now). Once you cut the top off, the whole front will want to fall back by pivoting at the bottom of the lower door hinge. You need to counteract that by bracing as high as possible on something strong enough to handle it. The factory has it right I think in that the strong area is footwell section on the driver and passenger side. Near the upper door hinge is even better but that’s possible with a cage only I’d guess.
 
What about something over the trans tunnel tying the firewall to the rise in the back floorboard?
 
bassackwards said:
What about something over the trans tunnel tying the firewall to the rise in the back floorboard?
Click to expand...

you only get one brace that way. The weight that is causing it to fold is the doors, so I think you want the bracing out at the edges and you get two braces that way as well.

Also pictures are super easy to host on the site. It’s kind of a pain to host them other places. I can understand people not wanting to deal with the hassle
 
What about heavier plate on the kick panels behind the plastic trim and rods running from the firewall forward to tie back into the frame near the engine crossmember?

Where exactly do they fold?
 
bassackwards said:
Where exactly do they fold?
Click to expand...

Find the lower door hinge and then follow it down to the floor. It’ll hinge right about there on the first gens and I expect second gens in the same place. The 69-72 models actually use the door for a bit of bracing as there’s a small striker plate to help keep the door from crashing into the b pillar. 73-75 maybe they improved it. A rock slider isn’t going to do much of anything unless it’s ties into someplace higher than the floor. Higher the better.
 
The rock sliders only tie the cab mounting brackets together even better. I am also wondering about doubling up on those braces that come down the firewall and wrap under the floor all the way to the 90 degree turn up near the rear seat. They run front to rear outside the frame rails. They may be called floor supports.
 
I’m sure the Chevy engineer considered all those options and determined the best way (besides a cage) was the rocker boxes.
 
rampage said:
Well you’re going to need to fab and weld something up so why not do what already works instead of reinventing the wheel?
Click to expand...

I can't seem to get any pics of what they are supposed to look like, how they tie in, etc

Has anyone tried rocker boxes out of a 67-72?
 
I saw that but isn't the later model longer between the firewall and the 90 degree turn up behind the seats?

I'm not an engineer but those things look pretty flimsy with the giant oblong hole right where the firewall would fold.

It seems like their designed to keep it from folding in the middle right under the seats
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom