Rocker Panel Replacements? - Subaru Impreza GC8 & RS Forum & Community: RS25.com

DGaboury · 07-02-2009, 09:42 AM

So after hours of google searching only to come up dry... does anyone know where I can purchase replacement rockerpanel sheetmetal for my 1996 impreza L? The rockers are rusted out bad, and I dont mind replacing them myself as i've done it before on a bunch of trucks, but i cant find where to get the sheet metal for the life of me!

Any help is appreciated

Thanks in advance!

David

**brdrhopper** · 07-02-2009, 10:41 AM

im not sure maybe get lucky at a junk yard but my car the shop i had it at had to order them from subaru

DGaboury · 07-02-2009, 11:09 AM

i've already given a few subaru dealerships around here a call... =/
i dont think they like me anymore lol...

NYRfanGuy39 · 07-02-2009, 01:46 PM

dumb question, but is the rocker panel the same as the rear quarter panel?

DGaboury · 07-02-2009, 02:05 PM

The panel that the jackstands are holding up... thats a rocker panel

Atlas · 07-02-2009, 04:47 PM

Dealer absolutely sells them... about ~$200 a side IIRC.

NYRfanGuy39 · 07-02-2009, 06:36 PM

so isnt that just called the side skirts then? or are you referring to the actually chassis underneath. I ask cus if its the sideskirts, how the hell are the rusting when they are plastic.

OConGnar · 07-02-2009, 06:39 PM

biGshizzle79 · 07-03-2009, 09:54 AM

yes the dealer will sell replacement sheet metal for the body.. 90% sure..

you might get on a national backorder, or get screwed if it's out of production tho..

---

salvage yard will rough cut them off for you, and prolly deliver..

you'll need to cut them the rest of the way off tho, and there's usally something wrong that needs a repair on a salvage part...

----

aftermarket is a possibility, but I doubt it.. keystone, lmc, tong yang, wellfit, certifit, etc..

---

post a pic of the damage...

sounds like you have experience with bodywork..

if it's covered by the plastic rocker, you could always fab some sheetmetal into what you need..

simple curve on a pole by hand, then add a 90 bend for the flange.. lots of test fitting, then MIG it in..

it will be covered, so if it's a little butchered, noone will know, and the steel will be good again..

just a thought

DGaboury · 07-03-2009, 02:00 PM

thanks everyone... so far the dealerships i've talked to on the phone don't know what they're talking about unfortunately.

it looks like i'll end up fabricating something out of 3x2x1/16th rectangular beam, which i'm not opposed to i guess, i'll just have to make sure I can fit the RS sideskirts over them w/mounting points.
btw: biGshizzle79, i never thought of using a straight piece of sheetmetal and bending it up on a pole or pipe for the curved section, that was the part i was mostly worried about... props to you bro

the end result after all the crazy amounts of rust replacement is to wind up with something like this...

07-02-2009, 09:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
DGaboury 1.8L Car: 1996 BRIGHTON coupe baby! Fav Mod: ... eg33 swap... My: Subaru Parts Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Worcester, MA Trader Rating: (0) Posts: 24	Rocker Panel Replacements? So after hours of google searching only to come up dry... does anyone know where I can purchase replacement rockerpanel sheetmetal for my 1996 impreza L? The rockers are rusted out bad, and I dont mind replacing them myself as i've done it before on a bunch of trucks, but i cant find where to get the sheet metal for the life of me! Any help is appreciated Thanks in advance! David

07-02-2009, 10:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
brdrhopper Premium Member Car: 2000 RS SRP Fav Mod: intake,exhaust,need moar My: Subaru Parts My: Subaru Blog Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: OC Trader Rating: (3) Posts: 1,152	im not sure maybe get lucky at a junk yard but my car the shop i had it at had to order them from subaru __________________ WTF! I get off my computer and then there's 4 page thread about me being dead. (Trix)

07-02-2009, 04:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
Atlas 2.2L Turbo My: Subaru Parts My: Subaru Blog Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NYC Trader Rating: (88) Posts: 2,197	Dealer absolutely sells them... about ~$200 a side IIRC. __________________ The last of my GC / WRX parts....

07-02-2009, 06:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
OConGnar 2.5L Car: 1999RS RBP Fav Mod: 12 inch springs My: Subaru Parts Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Truckee, CA Trader Rating: (9) Posts: 214	wow. __________________ im either very smart or incredibly stupid

07-03-2009, 09:54 AM	#9 (permalink)
biGshizzle79 2.2L Turbo Car: 00 2.5 RS BRP Sedan Fav Mod: chop, drop, n channel My: Subaru Parts Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: dusty body shop Trader Rating: (6) Posts: 3,220	yes the dealer will sell replacement sheet metal for the body.. 90% sure.. you might get on a national backorder, or get screwed if it's out of production tho.. --- salvage yard will rough cut them off for you, and prolly deliver.. you'll need to cut them the rest of the way off tho, and there's usally something wrong that needs a repair on a salvage part... ---- aftermarket is a possibility, but I doubt it.. keystone, lmc, tong yang, wellfit, certifit, etc.. --- post a pic of the damage... sounds like you have experience with bodywork.. if it's covered by the plastic rocker, you could always fab some sheetmetal into what you need.. simple curve on a pole by hand, then add a 90 bend for the flange.. lots of test fitting, then MIG it in.. it will be covered, so if it's a little butchered, noone will know, and the steel will be good again.. just a thought __________________ Learn how to weld, you ricer! Last edited by biGshizzle79; 07-03-2009 at 09:59 AM..

07-02-2009, 11:09 AM	#3 (permalink)
DGaboury 1.8L Car: 1996 BRIGHTON coupe baby! Fav Mod: ... eg33 swap... My: Subaru Parts Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Worcester, MA Trader Rating: (0) Posts: 24	i've already given a few subaru dealerships around here a call... =/ i dont think they like me anymore lol...

07-02-2009, 01:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
NYRfanGuy39 2.7L Car: 2002 2.5RS & 1996 Impreza L My: Subaru Parts Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Simsbury CT Trader Rating: (0) Posts: 320	dumb question, but is the rocker panel the same as the rear quarter panel?

07-02-2009, 02:05 PM	#5 (permalink)
DGaboury 1.8L Car: 1996 BRIGHTON coupe baby! Fav Mod: ... eg33 swap... My: Subaru Parts Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Worcester, MA Trader Rating: (0) Posts: 24	The panel that the jackstands are holding up... thats a rocker panel

07-02-2009, 06:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
NYRfanGuy39 2.7L Car: 2002 2.5RS & 1996 Impreza L My: Subaru Parts Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Simsbury CT Trader Rating: (0) Posts: 320	so isnt that just called the side skirts then? or are you referring to the actually chassis underneath. I ask cus if its the sideskirts, how the hell are the rusting when they are plastic.

07-03-2009, 02:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
DGaboury 1.8L Car: 1996 BRIGHTON coupe baby! Fav Mod: ... eg33 swap... My: Subaru Parts Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Worcester, MA Trader Rating: (0) Posts: 24	thanks everyone... so far the dealerships i've talked to on the phone don't know what they're talking about unfortunately. it looks like i'll end up fabricating something out of 3x2x1/16th rectangular beam, which i'm not opposed to i guess, i'll just have to make sure I can fit the RS sideskirts over them w/mounting points. btw: biGshizzle79, i never thought of using a straight piece of sheetmetal and bending it up on a pole or pipe for the curved section, that was the part i was mostly worried about... props to you bro the end result after all the crazy amounts of rust replacement is to wind up with something like this...

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