YES they are structural! They help keep the cab square! Thus keep your doors square! they tie your floors into the cab!
YES Serious!
I replaced both rockers on a lot older PU and got them from Year One. There are a few companies out there that sell replacement panels, I made sure I got panels that were made in the USA! You can buy junk but your getting junk!
If you have a shop replace them make sure you specify parts made in the US.
Old rockers need to be ground out and any other rust in those areas. You will be surprised how deep the rust is once you tear into it! CLEAN that out!
Then burn the new panels in and be one and done with it.

 

There are good quality rocker panels out there that are not made in the USA if you cannot find US ones. Get the full die stamped ones not the slip-ons. You can also get the inner rockers as I’m sure you’ll need them too. Check the cab corners as they might be going.


2013 Sierra SLE 2500HD CC 4wd Z71 6.6 Duramax

 

I think if you read thru this thread, you'll find Eric recently replaced rockers on this truck. If you need additional help you can message him and he can probably give you some pointers.

19trax95's Brothers 06 1500HD Build

So today I picked up a 2006 GMC 1500HD for my brother's first truck. Him and I both have been looking for a good truck for a little while now. He originally wanted a jeep, but after some talking and looking, he decided to look into the trucks. At first he liked the smaller trucks like the S10...

www.silveradosierra.com

 

I've been collecting some tools to replace my rockers myself. Watched quite a few videos now. It's not the easiest job in the world. The 06 shows the rockers below the doors so they need to be paint matched. Depending on where the damage starts you may be able to keep some of your old ones. Most of the people in videos are using a mini angle die grinder with cutting heads and roloc adapter for 2" and 3" polishing disks. Air hammer with a v head for busting loose spot welds. MIG or TIG welder is best.

I have an 08 so the rockers don't show below the doors. The doors go all the way to the corner of the body on the bottom. Pretty sure I can cut on the vertical flat part right in front of the door openings and make the patch way easier to fit in. I think I'll just paint it flat black since I can't see it with the doors closed. I have to do inners and outers but my damage is pretty centrally located. The cab corners, floor pan, and door frames are still good. The whole bottom in the middle on both the inner and outer just fell apart on the bottom right at the pinch weld.

 

I am the one who did the rockers in the thread that Roo linked.

I am by no means a body work expert, but for my needs, they came out great. I did not do them the right way technically, but they look great and are just as strong, if not stronger than what was there originally.

A few absolute must have tools are a grinder, with assortment of cutting wheels and flap disks, small Sawzall it get in where the grinder won't, and a spot weld cutter. Also need some chisels or better yet, a seam buster. I used my mig welder for the welds and then body adhesive for the areas that weren't welded. Super strong shit. You'll tear the metal before pulling the glue off lol.

I didn't paint match the rockers, but rather used the 2k raptor liner. I did paint the cab corners though. The color of my brother's truck is surprisingly hard to find paint for, so I had a company mix me some spray cans. I used an etching primer then paint, and covered with a 2k clear coat.

 

Thanks guys! I'll get some ordered, in the meantime do you have any links to a good video on replacing them? Any good tips? Not looking for a high quality cosmetic job just something to keep it going.

 

There's a bunch on youtube but 1A auto always has good repair videos. They are one of my favorites for watching small repairs.

 

This is another one I've watched.

 

For general tips on welding in patch panels and metal working I really love this guy.

 

In case you want to go MIG.