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Posted by: KevinP Sep 24 2009, 10:26 AM

I'm finishing up on my restoration (71) and I installed steel flares. I dont want to put on FG rocker panels but I know that is gonna be the easist way. I don't usually take that route.

So..., I'm sure that to fabricate the flared ends is gonna be labor intensive with the cut ,weld, english wheel work and all that crap.

I'm taking recommendations from the club... what do you guys think? I have looked for steel flared rockers and can't find a thing. I know that even if I could find some I would need to cut and weld to adjust for my flare install.

Anyone have a solution or been there?

TIA,

KP

Posted by: r_towle Sep 24 2009, 11:11 AM

If you installed flares WITHOUT using the final rockers to align them...I suspect that no matter what you buy, you will need to modify it to get the flares to line up with the rocker properly.

The ideal way to install flares, and really the only way to do it properly is to use the flared rockers as the alignment tool to get the flares properly spaced.

So, given where you are now...I would suggest you modify a set of metal flares...it will be better in the long run and probably the same amount of work as modifying the fiberglass ones.

Personally, considering where the rocker is located..I prefer fiberglass for that part due to corrosion, dirt, rock chips etc.

If you like metal more...start modifying a set of metal ones...

Rich

Posted by: jasons Sep 24 2009, 11:23 AM

Have you considered buying glass flares and using them as donors for your steel flares? Cut the flared ends off and bond them to the steel. Its kind of a practical compromise in my mind.

Posted by: my928s4 Sep 24 2009, 12:20 PM

I tried that but found that the drivers side rocker is like 1" shorter than the passenger, evidently that is how they came from the factory also. I decided I wanted the flares centered at the same point on each side so have the same problem as Kevin.

Figured I would be modifying fiber glass intrigued if there are other solutions.

Posted by: KevinP Sep 24 2009, 12:30 PM

Let me add this, are the metal flared rockers available? If so, this is the way I would like to go.

KP



Jasons, that is a great Idea if all else fails- Thanks

Posted by: JRust Sep 24 2009, 12:52 PM

New Paint! Love new paint

Posted by: dakotaewing Sep 24 2009, 02:34 PM

The only metal flared rockers are custom made...
Clay has them on his car ( the best set I have seen)
Joe at Series 9 has some on his car, and I am making them for
my car as well -
Here is a few shots of the rockers on Clay's car - I think they were done by his paint and body guy -


Attached image(s)

Posted by: bperry Sep 24 2009, 10:51 PM

I saw a thread a LONG time ago where somebody showed how to modify standard steel rockers for flared fenders. It may have been before the club/world split.

It showed how to cut the rocker then bend it and re-weld in few small patches.
Looked great when done.

--- bill

Posted by: dakotaewing Sep 25 2009, 07:57 PM

I believe that these are the images you were referencing..
These are from Joe's build -




Attached thumbnail(s)

Posted by: dakotaewing Sep 25 2009, 07:59 PM

more...


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Posted by: PanelBilly Sep 25 2009, 08:24 PM

I'm thinking of making boxes and going for a different look. Jim said he's seen photos of 914 with boxed rockers, but I haven't been able to find any

Posted by: KevinP Sep 26 2009, 10:20 AM

That didn't look as difficult as I thought... I think I may very well try and tackle it!

I'll let you guys know how it turns out-

thanks for the input all.

KP

Posted by: jasons Sep 26 2009, 11:43 AM

Take some pics during the process. I want to see how it goes.

Posted by: ClayPerrine Sep 26 2009, 05:23 PM

Yea, those are picts of my car. The body man I had do the work absolutely forbid me to use fiberglass rockers. He insisted saying "You are not putting fiberglass rockers on my car"...

I watched the process. It is not easy. they used an english wheel to rework the end of the rockers to match the flares, and tapered them down at the bottom so the flare disappears at the bottom. Then they enclosed the front edge to keep the dirt and crud out from behind the rockers. It looks great! They also flared the front and rear valences to match the rockers.







I have more pictures of the flared rockers in primer, but these are the most detailed.

Posted by: jim912928 Sep 26 2009, 06:11 PM

hmmm...anybody think of holding up either the front or rear bumper extension pieces from a 911 SC/Carrera etc. to see if it could be donor metal to graft in? Just by eyeballing those pieces they seem to have the right edges that might line up...at least as a starting point to weld on and pound into the right shape.

Posted by: Mountain914 Sep 26 2009, 10:05 PM

I had the advantage of a more gradual (longer) flare for a single bend on the rocker - but hope the pictures help you have more of an idea about what you want/don't want.
Clays look great.


And no - that's not rust you see

Posted by: charliew Apr 9 2010, 02:01 PM

I know this is a well worn topic but it still is one of my biggest challenges. The way the rockers bolt on and the 45 angle on the body edge makes it real hard to get the gap and transition right. I saw Clay's car and the rockers really look nice. I didn't even notice that the valences were massaged also. I'm sure the valences and rockers are far more work than the flares. I personally can work faster with fg than forming sheetmetal to compound curves. This is a real challenge for me as I would like to only do it once. I got the fg flares with a group buy. At first I didn't like the way they fit but after thinking about it, it's really the way the bottom edge of the body is shaped that makes it hard to fit up. The flares are very close in shape side to side, no difference in length and they fit the stock body good. So I will just use them as a starting point. Clay did point out the fact that a wider front tire makes the front flare positioning a little critical though so the length of the rocker might need to be adjusted for where the front flare ends up.

Clay's car gives me a good example to shoot for.

Posted by: 1968Cayman Apr 9 2010, 09:47 PM

Assuming you have body hammers and wood working tools, I suggest you buy some oak, carve two mirrored bucks and beat them out. Small piece like those don't really have to be wheeled- you can finish them by running over them with body clamps (in lieu of actual wheeling).