Apparently someone did a horrible job fabing my driver side rocker panel... Noticed there was some sponge like bulging under the paint. I put slight pressure on it with my wrench and punched a hole through what looks like aluminum... There's no rust around the area, just a really thin metal.

I'm positive this jeep will last a while (knock on wood), and I intend to get her painted should it last through the year. Of course I'm going to have to tackle this rocker panel. The other one is fine. I noticed they where a tad bit expensive online. Also, I'm not a welder... I know these are welded to the body.

So if anyone has experienced this...

Should I try and tackle the job myself?

Get the rocker panel and have someone else do the work?

Or find a decent one from the scrap yard and go from there?

For now, I'm just going to slap some bondo over this small hole and paint it... I may even sand them both down, body fill the bad parts (if any under the paint), then use a bed liner or something.

 

I personally don't think its a good idea to try and tackle on your own unless you have been an avid welder for years. If you have the ability to do body work and paint on your own, I would send it to a body shop to have an aftermarket rocker put on and just have them throw some etch on the bare metal so it can be transported on a dry day. Good luck with the jeep, hope the damage is very centered and not larger than what it appears

 

If you have access to a welder and some scrap metal to practice some welding. Doing it yourself will safe you a lot of money. Can you post some picts to show the damage that you have to deal with? That would be helpful for us to let you know what would be the best route for you to take.

 

I'll try to get a pic in shortly.

 

Okay here we are...





The hole itself is about the size of your little finger. Looks like someone scrapped bondo over and painted it. I guess I'll know when I sand it all off.

 

I work with a guy that welds. He says he's good... Though he has difficulties operating our lift trucks at work, so I don't know.

 

Well if has a welder have him weld up a couple pieces of scrap metal and check it out to see how he does. Check out the joints that he welds and see if you can break them by flexing them back and forth. Also make sure that he doesn't leave a lot of gaps in the weld.
As far as the pictures it really doesn't look like filler. To me it looks like a lot of rust under the paint.
If you want to give it a shot on your own. Do what I did and like I said in my earlier post. Pick up a cheap welder and some scrap metal and practice your welding. That's how I learned to weld and rebuild my 1965 Chevy pickup. But, What ever you do. Do Not cut anything out or punch anymore holes until you are ready to put on the new panels.

Robert

BTW, Keep me updated on what you decide and your progress.