Rocker panel replacement

[DustyDave]

Working on my ‘78 spider restore, next up is rocker panels. Current ones have holes due to rust, so planning to replace them. So a few questions... replace with steel or ABS? Has anyone used new ABS rockers? And if so, any feedback on quality, fit, paintable, issues, etc? I would like to use ABS to protect against rust, but I worry there may be other issues. Second question on either material... where to get replacements ready to go? ... meaning it fits and has all needed extras... the hold down screw on the rear and screw down plate/lip on the front in wheel well. Would prefer not to have to modify it to make it work. Thanks for any advise.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

My answer isn't "ready to go" rocker panels, but I'll toss it out there just for consideration. Last summer, I spotted a pair of new steel rocker panels on eBay for $78 for both with free shipping, and so I figured, what the heck, let's give it a try. Advantages: Cheap, a much heavier gauge steel than the original, and coated with a grey primer of some sort. Disadvantages: Did not have the holes pre-drilled, and did not have the bolt tabs for the front and rear wheel well attachments. Nonetheless, I secured them with new screws all around, and they feel tight and secure. Look fine, and for $78, I'm happy.

-Bryan

[DieselSpider]

The front and back ends were in decent shape on mine so I bent up new middle sections and welded them in. I mounted the rockers in a frame before cutting the middles out so they would be exactly the same length when I was through and replaced all the fasteners aside from the stud bolts already welded to the ends with stainless steel. It cost about $10 for the steel to repair both sides.