LUVTruck.com

Anyone have a good way to make my own rocker panels for a 1982 chevy luv?
There bad and So far I have not found any place on line that has them for sale.
Or does anyone know of a place that makes them?
How about the Isuzu that model? Will they fit the luv?
Thanks in advance
Pete

Pete are you trying to make panel backings and cover them and do you have your old ones for templates?? i'm not sure what the material is called but it is the same stuff that peg board is made of but without the holes, i made custom panels before with this stuff. maybe it is called medium density board? i can't remember but lowes and home depot have it.

No I am trying to make the rocker panels that are under the doors. Part of the cab.
Pete

Ok has anyone built a set of Rocker panels for a 81 or 82 luv?
I think I can do it. but it always helps if theres any little tricks to it.
Would rather just buy a new set. But that I have not found yet.
Pete

I have seen where someone has cut the top part of the sides of a junk Luv's fleetside bed out and flipped them over to weld them on as replacements for rotted out Luv rocker panels that they have had to cut out before - but I've never personally tried it. They kinda look approximately close enough to the same shape to work.

But everyone else I've seen has just bent sheet metal to fit or cut out their pieces from another donor Luv to use.

I built a patch for one out of flat sheet metal. I bent the crease using a 2x4. since the rocker is pretty much a strait bend. they are also in an inconspicuous place. the main thing is to make sure you wire wheel all the rust out and put a good weldable primer on the inside. next thing is to make sure you have a way to keep the watter form getting back in or make it easy for the water to get back out so your new panels don't rust.
Here are some pics of my fix. Mine was on an 80 luv Not sure if they are the same on your truck

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Did a v8 conversion in 1981 on my '76 luv
Current Fleet
#1 1980 Black 2wd, #2 1980 Blue 2wd, #3 1980 Black 4x4 #4 1980 black 2wd Long bed #5 1979 black 4x4 #6 1977 red 2WD
pics
http://s137.photobucket.com/albums/q223/gs11x/

You can buy flat sheets of steel at most hardware stores , and if you use an angle finder and map out the angles an air conditioning & heating shop can usually bend the angles for you .

Thanks guys I think I can handle that. I have a cousin that has a full body shop. And could turn this baby back to factory. But he lost his mind 2 years ago. And has not see the real world yet.
But I think I may get him to help out some. It may be what he needs to get over his Ex Wife.
Thanks again guys I think I can handle it. but tips sure help out.
Pete

Hey, what's your timeline on getting this done? I'm scrapping an '82 and the passenger side rocker panel is in good condition if you want me to cut it out send it your way. The only problem is I'm a procrastinator so not sure when I will get to this.

Eric Q.

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'75 body with '82 diesel running gear
My build thread.

My time line is when ever I can get it done. I hope to get it done within the next year.
Its one of those deals. That when its done its done. Sure not going to stop me from driving it. Also the back corner of the cab about 12" high is also bad wonder if it could be cut out at the same time?
I will sure pay you and shipping. Just let me know and when you get it off. Thanks and I will PM you my address.
Just let me know when you need it.
Pete

Cool. PM Sent.

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'75 body with '82 diesel running gear
My build thread.

Thanks.
Pete

Well I hope to get started on the luv in a few weeks. Plans are to at least get where I can drive it again. Then work on the Rocker panels at a later date.
Pete

Hey Pete, let me know how it turns out as far as making the rocker panels. I think it's a great idea for someone to custom make them as I found out they are not available aftermarket or even new directly from Isuzu. I've got a pickup cab that will need a set and keep us updated. I might even buy a set off of you if you do plan to make an additional set after the originals. Thanks.

Salvy

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1982 Chevy LUV diesel
2.25" stainless exhaust
w/ MagnaFlow performance muffler

Wished I would have kept my good rockers from my 78 I took to the crusher. I started cutting the whole rocker from floor and all and said the heck with it. They were rust free. Could have made patterns.
Oh well, hindsight you know what they say.
Kept the doors and fenders and glass.

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Too much to do and not enough time or money!
Courage is the other side of fear!
Pain is the weakness leaving the body!

Heck you could keep a lot more parts than that and sell them on here.
Though I realize that somtimes space is a isuse. =)

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1980 Luv 4x4 with a 5 speed tranny.



"When all else fails, follow the directions".

Gs11x, you did an awesome job on that. I just got a mig welder. Although it's real easy to burn holes in sheet metal.