Re: replacing rocker panels. Depending upon where the rust is, replacement can be anywhere from expensive to outrageous. I choose outrageous because the ST I purchased was a one-owner with 53K on it with the interior and body in fantastic condition (with the exception of the rockers. It was a WVA truck ie, snow, ice, salt). Had the frame and related items under the body inspected and all seemed structurally sound. I used a classic car resto shop because of their rep and I want the job done right because I knew I would keep the truck for a long time, maybe the rest of my life (75). Due to the location of most of the rust, which was a good part of both rockers, to included the rear cab corners, the shop recommended the fabricate the rockers as well as the cab corners. Rockers might (MIGHT) be found on the net but not the corners. Bottom line: $4K for the repair. The caveat here is that the moron who owned the truck before me had put a aftermarket hood scoop on the hood. Just a little TOO redneck for that truck and my taste. (The kicker is, it also had a color-matched spoiler on the rear that I really liked and it's still there!) I wanted the hood scoop gone and the body shop said the only way to properly match everything to factory would be to sand and block the hood and repaint. So that was part of the cost. If the truck is as nice as you say and you intend on getting your money's worth by keeping it, get it fixed properly and not some "we specialize in Bondo repairs" body shop. Nothing wrong with Bondo in certain applications. Rockers ain't one of them.
