Tip is to use panel bond between the welds to help keep water out then drill one hole in rear rocker use then spray in wax with special hose to spray around till it runs out of seams repeat till it seals up all the seams and stop running out. I usually leave hole in rear rocker use a body plug to seal it so I can repeat every 2-5 years. Use same wax spray in cab corners helps them from rusting from inside out also on doors interior. The panel bond also allows you to glue it in place and hold it after it dries to weld.
you make that sheet metal on cars look easy , that is far from the truth . When i lived in Maine just on the other side of Calais i know why so many cars and trucks are so rusted out. great videos.
Thank you for posting this. It's a life saver. I just started the restore on my 86 and I was sitting here scratching my head on where to begin with the rocker replacement. Thanks a million!
Love your videos don’t worry about the length, you show us how long it really takes and give us a proper example of what we need to for these diy repairs keep up the great work
Wow, you work so fast but how can you make any money when you can do all that work in less than a hour? Seriously, great stuff as always. Like being in school but much more interesting. Thanks for making your knowledge of the craft available to all of us who are loving it!
Discovered Fitzee's channel yesterday and now one of my favs.... love the longer length videos. I think this guy can make / rebuild anything. And a good East Coast boy to boot. 🙂🙂🙂😘
Fitzee, as a backyard bodyman, I enjoy watching every one of your videos. Not only for tips and tricks but also for enjoyment...................Keep up the good work..✌
Fitzee another great vid, love watching you make the panels and your tips, don't skip cause you think we might get bored, show more detail, even if it takes the whole vid to make one panel. I have to make my own panels with limited tools so its a great help. Keep up the great work.
Here in western Pennsylvania that truck would be at all the local car shows. Before the repairs! Around here we find that there are panels we need that aren't available. Usually gone past bottom hinge, door striker, and floor to about where the seat track bolts in. Very nice work you did there
I've been restoring old Chevys for nearly 40 years. I just bought both outer rockers for my daughter's '86 CUCV Army Blazer for $60.00 shipped. Some of this stuff is too cheap to make, even though we can fabricate them easily. As I approach my mid-50s, my arthritic knuckles and tendinitis-riddled elbows determine how adventurous I am nowadays. As usual, though, your work is incomparable. Thanks for making such entertaining content. Bravo.
Dude, I'm Impressed. I'm in my mid 50's. I was learning body work and welding when I was around 8 years old. Now new technology, but still, I Impressed
I have a 77 and an 82 chevy, the 82 is straight but the 77 is from Iowa, a real rust bucket , so I really appreciate your training and knowledge sharing! Thank you very much I am in Vancouver Washington. I cannot wait to get started on this project!
I had to see this again, and learned a little more this time. It is your exactness with the details that encourages me not to leaves things half ass. I will be back working on replacing the rusted metal around the front windshield, but this time I will go back to complete the welds 100% and make it look like the original. Thank you very much.
Enjoyed this video a lot. Thanks for all the detail on the cab corner fitting. I felt like we missed a bunch of the fitting for the rocker, but you said the video was getting long. Could have easily been a two part (or more) series. Thanks again!
Thanks Fitzee I do pretty much the same thing for a living except I don't do any customer work I just buy and restore then re-sell . You are much better at this than I am and some stuff I was doing the hard way so I've learned a lot thanks for the fine videos .
There are so many great tips on this channel. A lot of guys are using 100k in equipment to do the same work. That's great for a working shop, but it's nice to see real examples of doing comparable work with basic tools. Thank you for sharing this. I have a lot of videos to catch up on. I busted my vice screw and have been looking to get a new one slightly larger. After watching a bunch of your metal shaping, I think I'm just going to splurge and go overboard with the vice so I can beat the crap out of it ; )
I enjoy the tips! There’s always something to learn from others. A tip I do, drill small holes in the hinges to doors. Use old drill bits to realign in the holes. It makes for alignment a breeze.
Greetings, today , 8/19/22, changed cab corners on my 86 C10. Had the same issue fitting it. I did it as you explained. Thank you so much. It worked perfectly. Thank you for sharing your knowledge .
Instructive as previous vids. You do nice work. I enjoy your videos & learning from your thorough teaching. Thank you for taking the time & sharing your experience.
Hi Fitzee, Sir you are gold. Great instruction video all the way. No fancy tools and still achieved a great result. Thanks for sharing this know ledge.
That one trick including moving the edges of the small piece to the outside....worth the entire video! Appreciate all of the tips and tricks that Fitzee shows but glad they are free because if he charged what they are worth I couldn't afford the price of a single one. They are invaluable.
Hiya Tony great video as always i always mention your channel to other TH-cam users the tips are always good you're a true craftsmen always tell them about your cutt and butt panel techniques and how you make many of you're repair sections absolutely brilliant my friend ❤
I thought for years when I did repair on door bottoms, rocker panels wheel wells and the like. Like you I always had to piece together all the compound angles and shapes that are pressed into them. I thought I was doing it wrong but I couldn't figure how else to accomplish it. Fitzee you are doing it that way and making it look like new. Thank you for showing that it is okay that way. Now all I need is a decent MIG welder. The torch takes too long.
Really enjoy the videos. Not only entertaining but full of tips and tricks. I am not a panel beater, I am self taught on cars I do up and I'd be tackling the job differently and it makes my job easier and more professional looking. Thank you and keep the videos coming
I appreciate the time and craftsmanship you put into your repairs. When you're done all of your work looks like one piece instead of several pieces put together. And that's before fillers and paint. I started watching another video put out by someone else and to cover up his less than desirable welding, he mixed up a bunch of bondo to cover it up. I couldn't watch the rest of it. You might think this video was long, but I wanted to see more. Keep up the great work. :)
We love you Unlce fritzee. Especially when you tackle the 73-87. Technically they made them in suburbans , crew cabs and work truck cabs/ blazers until 91. Thanks
G'morning Fitzee, appreciate the subtitle option, too many years for this guy working in noisy mfg. shops. Enjoy the bonus details of your archaeological finds (socket) while disassembling projects, you are an inspiration to all of us subscribers. Carry on pal.
Excellent save with the small corner patch at the end. Dealing with lightly damaged areas on my van. At first glance it looked fine but the deeper I got into it found similar misalignment. Liked your solution.
Hey Fitzee - great as always. What I really like about this particular video is that you approach the repair of a work truck with the same skill, care and professionalism as you give a treasured antique. Way to go.
oh so glad i found your channel....this is all the stuff i need to learn to fix my van...thanks for videos!! :) im watching them back to bck now ! i dont think your videos too long id watch for an hour mr !
Very, very nice. I've done sheet metal fabrication over the years and yours is impressive. I have learned a few things from you. Thanks for taking the time to do these video's. 5 Stars Fitzee.
Your videos are great. I'm so happy I found your channel. I'm restoring a 82 c10 and am going to attempt the sheet metal myself. You are a wealth of knowledge!
You do fantastic work Fitzee. I've always loved tinkering with cars but never known how to fabricate.I'm off to the salvage yard to find an old rusty fender and practice what I've watched you do.
Amazing what can be done with a welder, some metal and some good grinding discs. I have been doing this myself and once you understand how to weld and grind such metals, there are no seams anymore. Thumbs Up!
First of your content that I have seen and I really liked it. Quite informative and helpful. I need to replace a small section of floor, kick panel and inner rocker panel on my 1980 chevy k10. water apparently kept leaking in from previous owner upper drivers corner of the windshield and ran down and collected right at the base of the junction where those parts come together. Keep up the good work Fitzee!
Big fan here - watched every video. I'm not happy that I've been doing panels and patches wrong for 50+years but I guess you're never too old to learn LOL. Rockers and cab corners going on my 94 Silverado ¾ ton soon and I know it's going to turn out better than the last ones I put on my previous truck.
Your work is truly inspiring. I was suffering from anxiety about the rust that is starting to affect the rocker panels in my third generation Toyota 4runner. After watching you I feel like I can make it like new again.
Love the railroad track anvil.I have the same thing in my shop. Fitzee I love your videos.True craftsman doing metalwork.I hate these shows where its more about covering the whole vehicle in bondo and then blocking it out. To get their gaps they even use bondo which was a sin when I took autobody.
Wow, I really enjoy your videos I learn so much. And I need to do the same panels on my truck and now I believe that I can do it. The only difference is mine is a f-150
Great job man, really professional repair. Unfortunately for alot of low budget driveway restorations, this type of repair is not an option for everyone that's why alot of old cars are full of bondo because it's either spend over a week on one small spot of rust or sand it and spread bondo over it in 30min. Atleast the truck you have has rust in reasonably easy spots to fix. Where I live most cars around here rot around the windshield and windows and roof really bad which is almost impossible to fix. Usually the floors and bottoms will be good but the upper structure will be shot.
Hello from Saskatchewan, great video! Makes me want to cut up a vehicle and weld.....but I know how that will go lol. 👎 you make it look so easy. Looking forward to the next project and the length of the videos in my opinion could be longer. Have a great day sir!
Jesus thats a hell of a lot more work than I expected. I thought that since they are stamped out to the shape of what the panel you are replacing it would just be a remove and replace job. I didn't realize you still had to fab up the shit behind it . I figured you'd still have to trim it and everything but thats a lot of extra work. its worth it though!
Oh this I've fiddled with! When you have a off-center rolled edge+break+rolled before it flats out. At first I made them out of 3-4 pieces, lots of welding and grinding, can still taste the grinding dust! Then I figured I could make it all in one piece by using a table vice and vice grips+hammer, by positioning the piece into the table vice, then start the rolled edge with the vice grips, get the breaks in there, then hammer it nice and tidy from there. Vice grips, good for more than just clamping patches in :)
Very few people left who have your work ethic.........AND talent.....Awesome craftsmanship.
Tip is to use panel bond between the welds to help keep water out then drill one hole in rear rocker use then spray in wax with special hose to spray around till it runs out of seams repeat till it seals up all the seams and stop running out. I usually leave hole in rear rocker use a body plug to seal it so I can repeat every 2-5 years. Use same wax spray in cab corners helps them from rusting from inside out also on doors interior. The panel bond also allows you to glue it in place and hold it after it dries to weld.
Love your show I am 70years Young and learn from your teaching style always something new thank you for doing what you do.
I don't mind your longer videos. It's always good content throughout.
you make that sheet metal on cars look easy , that is far from the truth . When i lived in Maine just on the other side of Calais i know why so many cars and trucks are so rusted out. great videos.
Fitzee you’re a true craftsman and I could watch you work for hours. Keep your videos coming, thanks 👍
Fitzee is like a living sheet metal 3D printer!
No doubt
I see things that could have been cleaned and kept.lol.He goes beyond most fabrication’s s ,i’m sure most wouldn’t have gone that far.lol
Love the way you get around the shop on an executive office chair. No sense in being uncomfortable...
Im amazed watching this, makes it all look simple, when it isnt.
Thank you for posting this. It's a life saver. I just started the restore on my 86 and I was sitting here scratching my head on where to begin with the rocker replacement. Thanks a million!
Hi Fitzee, Your videos could never be too long. Unless you run out of space, then a pt.2 would great. Thanks for knowledge!!
Love your videos don’t worry about the length, you show us how long it really takes and give us a proper example of what we need to for these diy repairs keep up the great work
Wow, you work so fast but how can you make any money when you can do all that work in less than a hour? Seriously, great stuff as always. Like being in school but much more interesting. Thanks for making your knowledge of the craft available to all of us who are loving it!
Discovered Fitzee's channel yesterday and now one of my favs.... love the longer length videos. I think this guy can make / rebuild anything. And a good East Coast boy to boot. 🙂🙂🙂😘
Fitzee, as a backyard bodyman, I enjoy watching every one of your videos. Not only for tips and tricks but also for enjoyment...................Keep up the good work..✌
Fitzee another great vid, love watching you make the panels and your tips, don't skip cause you think we might get bored, show more detail, even if it takes the whole vid to make one panel. I have to make my own panels with limited tools so its a great help. Keep up the great work.
You really learn the importance of getting the sections shaped properly before welding them to the vehicle. Great video!
Here in western Pennsylvania that truck would be at all the local car shows. Before the repairs! Around here we find that there are panels we need that aren't available. Usually gone past bottom hinge, door striker, and floor to about where the seat track bolts in. Very nice work you did there
I've been restoring old Chevys for nearly 40 years. I just bought both outer rockers for my daughter's '86 CUCV Army Blazer for $60.00 shipped. Some of this stuff is too cheap to make, even though we can fabricate them easily. As I approach my mid-50s, my arthritic knuckles and tendinitis-riddled elbows determine how adventurous I am nowadays. As usual, though, your work is incomparable. Thanks for making such entertaining content. Bravo.
Glucose injections will cure tendonitis
Dude, I'm Impressed. I'm in my mid 50's. I was learning body work and welding when I was around 8 years old. Now new technology, but still, I Impressed
Between Fitzee and Ratrod Bob Builds, I'm drowning in old school knowledge. Thank you sir.
Rat rod Bob is too cool. He has some cool idea. Watch him as well.
All those old school experience tips are priceless. Great video!
Very informative, these past 5-6 videos have been rock solid in regards to work I’ve got ahead of me. Thank you.
Really enjoyed the job you done
I have a 77 and an 82 chevy, the 82 is straight but the 77 is from Iowa, a real rust bucket , so I really appreciate your training and knowledge sharing! Thank you very much I am in Vancouver Washington. I cannot wait to get started on this project!
A million thanks for all the tips. I'm working on my rusty Corolla's rockers and your videos are essential viewing!
Year Corolla? I have a 78 here going be a future project. Lots of rust on it.
I had to see this again, and learned a little more this time. It is your exactness with the details that encourages me not to leaves things half ass. I will be back working on replacing the rusted metal around the front windshield, but this time I will go back to complete the welds 100% and make it look like the original. Thank you very much.
Enjoyed this video a lot. Thanks for all the detail on the cab corner fitting.
I felt like we missed a bunch of the fitting for the rocker, but you said the video was getting long. Could have easily been a two part (or more) series.
Thanks again!
Thanks Fitzee I do pretty much the same thing for a living except I don't do any customer work I just buy and restore then re-sell . You are much better at this than I am and some stuff I was doing the hard way so I've learned a lot thanks for the fine videos .
I've said that a circle is made from tiny straight lines that you can't see. You proved that true with bending that arc on the vise. Amazing!
This guy is the sheet metal god. There are no words to describe how perfect and awesome his craftsmanship is
There are so many great tips on this channel. A lot of guys are using 100k in equipment to do the same work. That's great for a working shop, but it's nice to see real examples of doing comparable work with basic tools. Thank you for sharing this. I have a lot of videos to catch up on.
I busted my vice screw and have been looking to get a new one slightly larger. After watching a bunch of your metal shaping, I think I'm just going to splurge and go overboard with the vice so I can beat the crap out of it ; )
I enjoy the tips! There’s always something to learn from others.
A tip I do, drill small holes in the hinges to doors. Use old drill bits to realign in the holes. It makes for alignment a breeze.
Greetings, today , 8/19/22, changed cab corners on my 86 C10. Had the same issue fitting it. I did it as you explained. Thank you so much. It worked perfectly. Thank you for sharing your knowledge .
Instructive as previous vids.
You do nice work. I enjoy your videos & learning from your thorough teaching.
Thank you for taking the time & sharing your experience.
👍👍👍👍nice!! Been 30 years since I done one....but have an 82 I inherited from my Dad in driveway that needs em. Thanks
Never done any replacements so I am soaking up what I can. Your videos are awesome. Thank you.
I'm an amateur at sheer metal work and you've showed me an easier way to do rust repair thanks a lot for the videos
Great program Fitzee, always learning something new, and the tips are great. Thank you for sharing. Be good and take care. 👍
Hi Fitzee, Sir you are gold. Great instruction video all the way. No fancy tools and still achieved a great result. Thanks for sharing this know ledge.
I love your videos Fitzee... just found you a week or so ago and I am very much enjoying every one I watch. I feel like doing some rust repair now!
Nice job. Love the trick using the coat hanger to hold the piece in place.
That one trick including moving the edges of the small piece to the outside....worth the entire video! Appreciate all of the tips and tricks that Fitzee shows but glad they are free because if he charged what they are worth I couldn't afford the price of a single one. They are invaluable.
I use a strong magnet
Hiya Tony great video as always i always mention your channel to other TH-cam users the tips are always good you're a true craftsmen always tell them about your cutt and butt panel techniques and how you make many of you're repair sections absolutely brilliant my friend ❤
I never get tired of watching you work your magic! You're a true artist
Just brilliant, I love watching you work, so well explained too. Makes me want to go and buy a rusty old project.
There's no substitute for experience. Fitzee you make it look easy. Keep the great videos coming. Can't wait for the next.
I thought for years when I did repair on door bottoms, rocker panels wheel wells and the like. Like you I always had to piece together all the compound angles and shapes that are pressed into them. I thought I was doing it wrong but I couldn't figure how else to accomplish it. Fitzee you are doing it that way and making it look like new. Thank you for showing that it is okay that way. Now all I need is a decent MIG welder. The torch takes too long.
Really enjoy the videos. Not only entertaining but full of tips and tricks. I am not a panel beater, I am self taught on cars I do up and I'd be tackling the job differently and it makes my job easier and more professional looking.
Thank you and keep the videos coming
I like your process and the way you approach the challenges you come up on. One step at a time. Thanks for sharing the tip and tricks
I will have to do the same to my 69 c10,plus floor pans !I am glad you put out these videos.
I appreciate the time and craftsmanship you put into your repairs. When you're done all of your work looks like one piece instead of several pieces put together. And that's before fillers and paint. I started watching another video put out by someone else and to cover up his less than desirable welding, he mixed up a bunch of bondo to cover it up. I couldn't watch the rest of it. You might think this video was long, but I wanted to see more. Keep up the great work. :)
I`ve been a body man and painter since the late 70s. I enjoy watching your videos because we do things pretty much the same way.
We grew up in the trade when repairing cars was key. Today they just replace everything.
Great work. The attention to detail and the skill to create that fine detail is valuable to learn from.
We love you Unlce fritzee. Especially when you tackle the 73-87. Technically they made them in suburbans , crew cabs and work truck cabs/ blazers until 91. Thanks
G'morning Fitzee, appreciate the subtitle option, too many years for this guy working in noisy mfg. shops. Enjoy the bonus details of your archaeological finds (socket) while disassembling projects, you are an inspiration to all of us subscribers. Carry on pal.
Fizzy your the best iam amazed what's next.
I'm watching your lesson all the time
Excellent save with the small corner patch at the end. Dealing with lightly damaged areas on my van. At first glance it looked fine but the deeper I got into it found similar misalignment. Liked your solution.
Hey Fitzee - great as always. What I really like about this particular video is that you approach the repair of a work truck with the same skill, care and professionalism as you give a treasured antique. Way to go.
oh so glad i found your channel....this is all the stuff i need to learn to fix my van...thanks for videos!! :) im watching them back to bck now ! i dont think your videos too long id watch for an hour mr !
Great video from a great teacher. I need to replace the rockers on my 97 Dodge. But for now I just tell myself they add character.
Very, very nice. I've done sheet metal fabrication over the years and yours is impressive. I have learned a few things from you. Thanks for taking the time to do these video's. 5 Stars Fitzee.
Once again another amazing piece of craftsmanship. you make it look so easy. Can't wait for the next one
Your videos are great. I'm so happy I found your channel. I'm restoring a 82 c10 and am going to attempt the sheet metal myself. You are a wealth of knowledge!
You do fantastic work Fitzee. I've always loved tinkering with cars but never known how to fabricate.I'm off to the salvage yard to find an old rusty fender and practice what I've watched you do.
Get at it. Any questions just ask
I like the skill you have making your patch panels. I appreciate the vise/H iron time.
Amazing what can be done with a welder, some metal and some good grinding discs. I have been doing this myself and once you understand how to weld and grind such metals, there are no seams anymore. Thumbs Up!
Really enjoyed watching you do the patch work.
First of your content that I have seen and I really liked it. Quite informative and helpful. I need to replace a small section of floor, kick panel and inner rocker panel on my 1980 chevy k10. water apparently kept leaking in from previous owner upper drivers corner of the windshield and ran down and collected right at the base of the junction where those parts come together. Keep up the good work Fitzee!
Im working on a 67-72 series with all the steps to restore these cabs. Thanks for sharing the square body how-to!
so many pointers so little time ,love to watch you work
Big fan here - watched every video. I'm not happy that I've been doing panels and patches wrong for 50+years but I guess you're never too old to learn LOL. Rockers and cab corners going on my 94 Silverado ¾ ton soon and I know it's going to turn out better than the last ones I put on my previous truck.
Thanks. I have to do my 85 C10 later this summer. But, the cab mounts are bad too. Very helpful.
The craftsmanship alone is spellbinding.
You make other guys on TH-cam look dumb...they way over think it...keep it up...I've been telling everyone about your videos!
Your work is truly inspiring. I was suffering from anxiety about the rust that is starting to affect the rocker panels in my third generation Toyota 4runner. After watching you I feel like I can make it like new again.
I read this before from a different follower, you are a metal magician!!!!!
"Nutting Fancy " Great work from the Irish/Italian !! helps me a lot . Thanks
I have to pay attention to this one, I have a 79 chevy 1/2 ton wisconsin truck, full of rust. Thanks for teaching video. appreciate it.
Love the railroad track anvil.I have the same thing in my shop. Fitzee I love your videos.True craftsman doing metalwork.I hate these shows where its more about covering the whole vehicle in bondo and then blocking it out. To get their gaps they even use bondo which was a sin when I took autobody.
Very helpful video as I will also need to replace rocker panels on my 76 C10. Thank you for uploading it.
I’ve seen lots of rocker videos but this is the best one!
Where are all the subscribers? Come on let's support this craftsman !!
Wow, I really enjoy your videos I learn so much. And I need to do the same panels on my truck and now I believe that I can do it. The only difference is mine is a f-150
Thanks great tips welding middle of the bend then tap corners into original panel then tack
i just found your channel short time back and so glad i did great tips thanks
After I’ve seen your videos, I decided to build a binder and to do my Jetta rock panel. Can't wait to see your next video.
Thank you, and we need longer videos like this cause your videos are proper videos. You rock 🤘🏻😝🤘🏻
Another great video! I learn something every time I watch you. Thank you!
Great job man, really professional repair. Unfortunately for alot of low budget driveway restorations, this type of repair is not an option for everyone that's why alot of old cars are full of bondo because it's either spend over a week on one small spot of rust or sand it and spread bondo over it in 30min. Atleast the truck you have has rust in reasonably easy spots to fix. Where I live most cars around here rot around the windshield and windows and roof really bad which is almost impossible to fix. Usually the floors and bottoms will be good but the upper structure will be shot.
Just getting into welding sheet metal I’m hoping I can learn for your teachings keep up the awesome detailed videos
Inspiring. I think I'm now ready to tackle my own cab corner and rocker.
Thanks!
Great work you make it look easy but it is only easy once you know how. Wish I could have seen you make the lower front inner rocker piece. Thanks
Hello from Saskatchewan, great video! Makes me want to cut up a vehicle and weld.....but I know how that will go lol. 👎 you make it look so easy. Looking forward to the next project and the length of the videos in my opinion could be longer. Have a great day sir!
Jesus thats a hell of a lot more work than I expected. I thought that since they are stamped out to the shape of what the panel you are replacing it would just be a remove and replace job. I didn't realize you still had to fab up the shit behind it . I figured you'd still have to trim it and everything but thats a lot of extra work. its worth it though!
Fitzee thanks for the great content. Just starting on my 81 C10 this is gold !!!
if it was as easy as you make it look; everybody would be doing it. THANK you for the 500 tips in the video.
A true artist, you just simply amaze me every time ! Great video as usual keep them coming thanks again.
I don't mind your longer videos either. Great job!
If you are charging what you are worth, that fellow now owes you his truck!
Oh this I've fiddled with! When you have a off-center rolled edge+break+rolled before it flats out.
At first I made them out of 3-4 pieces, lots of welding and grinding, can still taste the grinding dust!
Then I figured I could make it all in one piece by using a table vice and vice grips+hammer, by positioning the piece into the table vice, then start the rolled edge with the vice grips, get the breaks in there, then hammer it nice and tidy from there.
Vice grips, good for more than just clamping patches in :)