The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks New after market rocker panels

I have replaced rockers on two cabs now, and I am disappointed in the quality of the aftermarket ones readily available. They don't have the same contour as the originals. They are flatter and though it doesn't seem to be too noticeable in primer, the difference is huge with glossy paint. I have seen some high priced restos on line and my eyes are really drawn to these bad rockers if they are just left as is. Does anyone else share this opinion?

I am not trying to dis anyone's truck, I am just very picky about details. That's probably why I am 4 years into my truck and the cab and box are still not on the frame.

On the last set of rockers, I cut and filed a hard plastic 4" wide putty knife to match the cab corner and the front fender contour and then built the rockers up with all metal. This worked okay, but on this one, I am going to weld a 3/16" pencil rod along the lower edge of the rocker to give me something solid to screed the all metal filler to. I would like some feedback on this and any ideas that will save me time.

Thanks,

Look for a set of NOS on e-bay, I've seen them on there in the past they just go to high $$$$$ for me.
Bob

I've noticed it, but life is too short IMO to worry about minor stuff like that-to get around patents etc many aftermarket parts are intentionaly different.

The patch panels are not patented items and if they were, the patents have, long since, expired. Having been through the patent process, the notion that a part is changed slightly, to skirt the patent, is an oft spewed myth.

I disagree tony-look at repro VS OEM 64-66 hubcaps-but it is not necessarily the patent or copyright, but the patent or copyright-holder's team of lawyers you must worry about. We sell late model aftermarket parts and it is definately an issue.

Trademark is the infringement element. If a part is produced, with the Bowtie or it's likeness, the manufacturer is infringing on the Trademark, not a patent. The reproduction items, ie, the dog dish hub caps, have a GM Licensing agreement and they are marked accordingly, or the legal team will unleash their dogs on the manufacturer with a cease & desist, followed by legal actions. The reproduction hub caps are licensed, through Counterparts, which is one of the licensed manufacturers, with the written consent of GM and each item sold is closely monitored and a royalty is paid.

You can produce any patch panel, you chose, without infringing on a patent, copyright, trademark or intellectual property, as long as a you don't stamp it with the corporate identity or likeness.