Rocker Panel for 2006 Tacoma

Hi,

I'm looking for rocker panels for my 2006 tacoma(both sides). I tried all local shops they don't have them. And tried some websites as well. No luck. Anyone have any recommendations?

 

You aren’t going to find one…unless you go to a salvage yard with a grinder and cut off wheel. If you have damage from rust you’ll be looking at $$$ for a repair or taking the time to learn how to cut and weld thin gauge metal. If your damage is from hitting something your kind of in the same boat for repairs but it might not be necessary if your truck isn’t going to rust to pieces.

There’s only a handful of useful threads on rocker panel repairs, only one that someone actually did any actual repair (it was a 1st gen) but a couple of thread on 2nd gens asking what to do about rust and holes in rockers caused by rust and the rest with dents caused from running into something.

A photo would be helpful. If it’s just a dent throw some sliders on there and call it a day.

 

These are some pictures

 

@ShifuTheDoom whats your time to available cash ratio? That’s going to be a lot of work. The frame looks pretty rusty as well. Lots of time and effort will go into fixing that truck and in the end it may not be worth it as the rust may be too bad and come right back.

I guess what I’m saying you you need to weigh the cost benefit analysis of is it worth fixing.

If you decide to try and fix it you may want to get creative. Rather than going back to what it looked like stock you could weld in some tube steel.

Here’s a photo of the rust hole on my Tacoma rocker (near the rear of the cab) and the place I cut it out.

before cutting:



after cutting:



Next step is fabricating a patch and welding it in. I’m not a pro welder so this will be my first real project other than a welding table.

I figure I have nothing to lose trying to fix it, but it’s a relatively small hole out of sight. Yours is more visible and will require more skill to fix.

 

I had the frame checked out and it's the mechanic said it's fine. Mostly surface rust. I'm planning to grind it down and paint them. As for the rocker, I've a buddy who is willing to help me. He is pretty good. I found a rockers in the local yard but they are asking 200$ a side.

 

Color me skeptical. Your first pic shows frame delamination, and that's not even the worst location for chassis rust.

 

It really can’t hurt as your rockers are already rusted through.

Here’s the thread I was talking about on fixing rusted rockers.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/finally-fixed-some-rusted-rocker-panels.779609/

Keep us posted on the process and good luck!

Where are you located?

 

Also, OP I found the best tool for working on the underside of the rocker is a corded dremel tool with a cutoff wheel and also a flap disk. You’ll need to get down to good metal to weld in a new piece and the flap wheel does a good job on that dremel for right spaces.

 

Thanks brother

 

Also check out page three of this thread:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rocker-panel-modification-and-or-replacement.604910/page-3