Should I try to make rocker panel or get a direct fit one? Need help

[pagrunt]

The '78-'80 have just a plan curved contour compared to the '81-'88 styled contour. With some skills with some dollies & hammers one can make fairly nice patch panel to repair. Bad thing about the '78-'80 Monte Carlo's will be the limited restoration support. Other than the panels shared across the '78 up A/G bodies there's nothing for your year. Maybe some fiberglass go fast panels but that'll be it.

 

[Montecarlo79]

The '78-'80 have just a plan curved contour compared to the '81-'88 styled contour. With some skills with some dollies & hammers one can make fairly nice patch panel to repair. Bad thing about the '78-'80 Monte Carlo's will be the limited restoration support. Other than the panels shared across the '78 up A/G bodies there's nothing for your year. Maybe some fiberglass go fast panels but that'll be it.

This wouldn’t work?

 

[pagrunt]

View attachment 255347This wouldn’t work?

It will. Things like these, inner rockers, floor pans & inner rear wheel wells interchange across the board with our cars.

 

[Montecarlo79]

It will. Things like these, inner rockers, floor pans & inner rear wheel wells interchange across the board with our cars.

I noticed that when I bought my floor pans for the front driver quarter section and the full passenger floor pan they were “similar” but not totally the same as the oem.

 

[pagrunt]

I noticed that when I bought my floor pans for the front driver quarter section and the full passenger floor pan they were “similar” but not totally the same as the oem.

Unless the stamper was a GM supplier or bought an old stamping set, they'll be just close enough. Now if we had the likes of a '68-'72 Chevelle, '67-'69 Camaro or a Tri-Five Chevy then the stampings would be OE like.

 

[spongbob]

View attachment 255245In the middle of the driver side rocker panel is rotted about a foot and half of length side to side, I need advice if I should try making this complicated piece or if there’s a patch panel out on the internet?

Ar the risk'.. of sounding like Ai..lol you could fabricate one or better a patch with soft steel and a couple 2x4s and a measure tape if you have experience...at such methods... if not I would get out the drill wire brush it and make some stips of fiberglass and dunk them in a tray and slop them on like a bandage ..thats what I did..if that way your going to feather it with bondo afterwards . Of course there's always cutting it off and welding way more work and skill ( headaches) someone said donar..

 

[Montecarlo79]

Ar the risk'.. of sounding like Ai..lol you could fabricate one or better a patch with soft steel and a couple 2x4s and a measure tape if you have experience...at such methods... if not I would get out the drill wire brush it and make some stips of fiberglass and dunk them in a tray and slop them on like a bandage ..thats what I did..if that way your going to feather it with bondo afterwards . Of course there's always cutting it off and welding way more work and skill ( headaches) someone said donar..

I’m going to try making a patch panel for it, I’m not interested in putting fibreglass though every patch that has been is metal