just a reminder to anyone that will cut the longs for any repair, seeing how this is a major part of the superstucture, the proper way to replace this piece is to do what i-car and ase manuals are calling a butt weld with backing, this is to insure the structal intregraty of the rocker, you must first suport the door opining with a bar so the car does not flex, you will also need another outer piece from another car , this piece should be at least 12 inches long 6 inches for either side, on either side of the cut you will need to drill 1/4 inch holes to plug weld the spare long piece to the inside, on the car on both sides,then drill on both sides of the new or exsisting long plug weld in place then stitch down the cut, hope this isnt to confusing, any side or strucual part that is replaced cannot be over reinforced, this is for safty and structal intregraty, this also is a better way to weld back up and be usnoticed, i splice side pieces all the time on all kind of cars ,mainly brand new ones, a and b pillers and also rockers, hopee this helps steve