About to start my convertible conversion! Rocker boxs ??

[rampage]

View attachment 278807

Did you re-up just so you could post that?

 

[bp71k5]

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

The oblong hole isn’t factory. That flat surface at the bottom where the big hole is, is not where the strength comes from. It comes from the bent up walls on each side of it. They do exactly like I was describing.

 

[bassackwards]

The oblong hole isn’t factory. That flat surface at the bottom where the big hole is, is not where the strength comes from. It comes from the bent up walls on each side of it. They do exactly like I was describing.

The oblong hole is factory. I have pics from a junk one that my windshield frame came from.

 

[bp71k5]

The oblong hole is factory. I have pics from a junk one that my windshield frame came from.

Hmm, maybe added those on the 73+.

 

[bassackwards]

Hmm, maybe added those on the 73+.

 

[bp71k5]

Probably did that in an attempt to keep them from holding debris and rotting out. Can see how well that worked.

 

[bassackwards]

Probably did that in an attempt to keep them from holding debris and rotting out. Can see how well that worked.

That is why I question their effectiveness at keeping the firewall from folding back. Seems like a plate on the kickpanel and a channel along the inner rocker would really keep it from folding

 

[fastazz81]

Hmm, maybe added those on the 73+.

My 73 has the oblong holes also

 

[HankScorpio]

I understand that you are not really into the roll cage. If you are going to run a roll bar then adding 2 A pillars gives you a proven way to really reinforce the firewall at dash height where it does the most good. Its way easier fab work to do it this way than to start making custom rocker boxes. Gm quit doing it for a reason, it never worked all that well. They also trap debris and cause rust issues as shown in photos. Using a roll cage structure has been the go to for full vert conversions on many rigs. You don't need a jungle gym with a million bars everywhere and a little extra safety never hurts. Accidents happen on the street just as much as the trail.

 

[bp71k5]

That is why I question their effectiveness at keeping the firewall from folding back. Seems like a plate on the kickpanel and a channel along the inner rocker would really keep it from folding

I can tell you when I removed mine, the firewall folded back so much the doors would close. They work for the most part.

 

[bassackwards]

I’m sure the Chevy engineer considered all those options and determined the best way (besides a cage) was the rocker boxes.

Back to this comment, it took them 18 years to finally fix the frame where it breaks at the steering box

 

[rampage]

Back to this comment, it took them 18 years to finally fix the frame where it breaks at the steering box

Actually they never fixed it in the square bodies. They redesigned the frame on a new platform. But if you’d like to redisign the rocker boxes then be my guest. I’m done with this post.

 

[nvrenuf]

Imo, the hole on the flat horizontal pan is irrelevant, the strength for the firewall is in the vertical panels.

 

[bassackwards]

Imo, the hole on the flat horizontal pan is irrelevant, the strength for the firewall is in the vertical panels.

This is what I think as well. It helps to support the floor channel with a small vertical running along the inner rocker.

 

[imiceman44]

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

The bottom part is not the biggest part of the reinforcement, the vertical side is.
The bottom works in tension.
The floor with box works like a box girder it might look flimsy but the volume makes it strong.

 

[imiceman44]

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

If you weren't so far I could show you what you need to do.
I don't have pictures, it's all in my head.
I will see if I can get a picture for you.
I have a 74 but I believe the po removed the boxes after building a cage

 

[bassackwards]

Does anyone have pics of where the body folds?

 

[imiceman44]

Hmm, maybe added those on the 73+.

Not my 73.
No holes on it.
I did a full frame off restoration and I know every inch.
I ended up cutting a square in the back to access the inside and spray it and then made a cover and used it as a hiding place during the war.
If it had an opening like that I would not have needed a hole cut.

 

[btblazer]

I am doing a Frame Off restoration of a 1979 blazer, one big problem is the rocker, inner rocker, and both "A" and "B" pillars are rusted so bad that I had to brace the hell out of the cab prior to removing them. The problem is they were rusted so bad that I don't have a reference point for the front of the rocker and inner rocker. The "A" pillar is rusted so bad that it doesn't exist below the door hinge mounts. Does anybody have any measurements for the locations of said items. Also do they make a patch part for the area of the lower part of the "A" pillar where it curves down to meet the rocker panel?

 

[bassackwards]

I am doing a Frame Off restoration of a 1979 blazer, one big problem is the rocker, inner rocker, and both "A" and "B" pillars are rusted so bad that I had to brace the hell out of the cab prior to removing them. The problem is they were rusted so bad that I don't have a reference point for the front of the rocker and inner rocker. The "A" pillar is rusted so bad that it doesn't exist below the door hinge mounts. Does anybody have any measurements for the locations of said items. Also do they make a patch part for the area of the lower part of the "A" pillar where it curves down to meet the rocker panel?

Does this truck have special meaning to you?

Mine has almost no rust at all and I paid $2200 then sold off $1000 worth of extra parts that I will not be using.