Rocker Panels
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 605
Likes: 28
From: Havelock North Carolina
Rocker Panels
Just read a thread about fitment of rocker panels and didn't want to hikack it although my issue is similar. I think the difference between the stock 78 rocker panels and the pace car is that the pace cars are chrome and the stock are painted. Replacements for the pace car are hard to find and I would like to know if the 77 panel would fit.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 721
Likes: 105
From: hernando fl
I don't think a 77 will fit a 78. to the best of my knowledge ,78/79 are a little shorter than the early ones. 80/82 are shorter than the 78/79.
in a nutshell there are 3 different length rocker trim pieces.
i'm not stating a carved in granite fact , just what I think to be correct
in a nutshell there are 3 different length rocker trim pieces.
i'm not stating a carved in granite fact , just what I think to be correct
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,372
Likes: 223
From: Beecher Illinois
78 and 79 with the 225-70 tires used one particular rocker panel.
Same years with the optional 255-60 tires used basically the same thing but 1/4" shorter to provide clearance when turning.
80-82 used panels an inch shorter to go with the newly designed front fenders. As many owners have put the bigger tires on earlier Vettes with no problems I'd say the 77(longest of the 3) would probably work. Just check your turning clearance.
My 79, original with 225-70s, now running 255-60s, no problem.....
My former 78, 255s from the factory.....
Same years with the optional 255-60 tires used basically the same thing but 1/4" shorter to provide clearance when turning.
80-82 used panels an inch shorter to go with the newly designed front fenders. As many owners have put the bigger tires on earlier Vettes with no problems I'd say the 77(longest of the 3) would probably work. Just check your turning clearance.
My 79, original with 225-70s, now running 255-60s, no problem.....
My former 78, 255s from the factory.....
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,683
Likes: 3,136
From: Shamong, NJ
The 70-77 rockers are 65 1/2" long. The rockers used on 78-79's with the base P225/70R15 tire, were also 65 1/2" long. 78-79's with the optional P255/60R15 Goodyear GT Radials, and 78 Pace Cars, used a slightly shorter 64 1/8" long rocker. All 80-82 rockers were 64 1/8".
The difference in length of the Pace Car rockers, is at the front of the rocker, to allow more clearance for the wider tire. Chevrolet wasn't looking for warranty issues, so they shortened the rockers, to eliminate any chance that a rocker could be damaged by a tire. You can probably get away with the 70-77 rockers, on your Pace Car, but there's always the chance that you might catch the rocker, in certain full lock situations?
The difference in length of the Pace Car rockers, is at the front of the rocker, to allow more clearance for the wider tire. Chevrolet wasn't looking for warranty issues, so they shortened the rockers, to eliminate any chance that a rocker could be damaged by a tire. You can probably get away with the 70-77 rockers, on your Pace Car, but there's always the chance that you might catch the rocker, in certain full lock situations?
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Good Information. Thanks.
