Chevy Silverado Rocker Panel Replacement Cost Breakdown

“Whats the Chevy Silverado rocker panel replacement cost?” is the first query you ask yourself when you see rusted rocker panels on your vehicle. The rocker panel keeps the car together, therefore when it deteriorates and breaks down, the vehicle may disintegrate.

 

Thus, it is vital to replace the rocker panel as soon as possible to help keep the front part and rear parts of the vehicle compact. This article will look at the replacement cost of the rocker panel and how it has evolved over the years.

What’s the Cost of a Chevy Silverado Rocker Panel Replacement?

The cost of a Chevy Silverado rocker panels replacement is around $2,350, depending on the year of manufacture, type of rocker panels and labor costs. Note that this figure accounts for labor cost which is usually around $2,050 and the cost of the rocker panel which averages $300.

However, these figures are just an estimate based on our research and could vary by a few or several hundred dollars. Factors that influence the cost of replacement include individual labor costs by mechanic shops, the model of the Silverado, and whether or not you’ll do the replacement yourself.

Below, we’ll go through the various factors that affect the cost of replacing the rocker panels of the Chevy Silverado. First, we’ll look at the cost of parts.

– The Cost of Chevy Silverado Rocker Panel Parts

Generally, the cost of Chevy Silverado rocker panel parts is between $120 and $350 and this depends on the manufacturer and type of rocker panels. For instance, 1999 – 2006 1500 Chevy Silverado Extended Cab driver-side rocker panel costs around $120.

Meanwhile, the Slip-on Style rocker panel for the driver’s side of the same vehicle goes for $68. The reason for the low price is because of the style, which is a slip-on rocker panel and was made for models of the vehicle between 2007 and 2013.

Also, there’s the two-piece rocker panel set that costs $310 and perfectly fits the Chevy Silverado models between 2007 and 2013 as well. The one-piece rocker panel for the passenger side slip, Replace RRP3178, goes for $46 and is perfect for older models of the vehicle.

Then Chevy Silverado Extended Cab driver and passenger side inner rocker panel which is two-piece is sold at $175. This rocker panel is suitable for 1500 Chevy Silverado models produced between 1999 and 2019 and 3500 Silverado models as well.

The two-piece outer rocker panels for the Chevy Silverado Extended cab go for $100 and they can fit any Chevy Silverado model whether it is 1500, 2,500, or 3,500. These panels have to be welded and then painted with a color that blends in with the car’s original color.

– The Labor Cost of Replacing Chevy Silverado Rocker Panels

The factors that influence the cost of labor include the number of rocker panels that need to be replaced and the part of the Silverado that is being replaced. However, as already stated, the average labor cost for replacing rocker panels is $2,050.

Nevertheless, the cost could go down low to around $1,000 or be as high as $4,500. The reason that the labor costs are high is because of the amount of work that goes into replacing the rocker panels.

Our research indicates that it takes between 8 to 10 hours to replace the rocker panels on one side, thus it may take between 16 to 18 hours to replace the full set of rocker panels. When we checked the hourly rates for replacing the rocker panels, we discovered that the average was $106 in the US.

Thus, the average cost of replacing one side of the rocker panels is between $848 and $1,060. This also means that to replace rocker panels on both sides of the Silverado, you’ll between $1,696 and $1,908.

However, if you need to replace your cab corners, then the price could even go higher. This is because the process of replacing them is very laborious and time-consuming.

– The Costs of Replacing Cab Corners of Chevy Silverado

The cost of replacing the cab corners of the Chevy Silverado is between $710 and $2,010 depending on the model and year the vehicle was manufactured. The labor costs are also high because it involves removing other parts of the vehicle to get access to them.
The parts themselves sell as low as $120 with some going up to around $150, but the majority of your money would go into labor costs.

What Factors Affect the Silverado Rocker Replacement Cost?

The factors that affect the Chevy Silverado rocker replacement cost are the age and type of the vehicle as well as the type of rocker panels. Also, deciding to either do the replacement yourself or use the services of a mechanic is a factor.

– The Year the Silverado Was Manufactured

The age of your vehicle plays a significant role because some of the old models have expensive parts because they may not be in stock anymore. This is common in Economics where the price of a commodity goes up due to its rarity.

On the other hand, newer rocker panel covers may be expensive due to modern technology and quality design. If you’re lucky too, you could get a cheaper rocker panel despite its age or design. However, it appears the newer models have pricier rocker panels than the older ones.

– The Model of the Chevy Silverado

Another factor that drives up the cost of replacing rocker panels is the model of the Silverado. There are 1500, 2500 and 3500 models with trim levels such as HD, Custom, High Country, etc. Interestingly, the price of a two-side rocker panel set for 2500 and 3500 Chevy Silverado is small. However, replacing the rocker bottom and cab parts of both models can be expensive.

– The Number of Rocker Panels Being Replaced

This is obvious because the more panels that need replacement, the more money you’ll spend. If you’re replacing one panel on one side of the vehicle, then you’ll spend less than when you’re replacing two rocker panels on both sides of the vehicle.

Also, the price of labor will go up because the hours that’ll be spent on changing one panel would be less than changing both panels. Also, the effort required to either change one or both rocker panels will be factored into the final labor cost.

– The Type of Rocker Panels

The cost or replacement will also be influenced by the type of rocker panels you’re purchasing. There are two types of panels: slip-on rocker panels and welded rocker panels. As the name suggests, slip-on rocker panels are just fixed onto the vehicle while the welded ones are joined by the welding.

Slip-on panels are less expensive due to their low quality compared to welded panels and also labor costs are cheaper because less time and materials are required to finish the job. Welded panels are of high quality and require lots of hours to do a thorough job, therefore, they are expensive to purchase and fix.

– Professional Installation or Fixing It Yourself

Fixing the panels yourself saves you a lot of money in terms of labor costs than allowing a professional to do it. As we’ve already seen, labor costs take up a majority of the expenses related to replacing rocker panels on a Chevy Silverado.

However, you’ll need to have the technical knowledge of how to fix rocker panels or you’ll end up making matters worse. You’ll also have to know how to remove and fix other parts of the car before you get to the rocker panels.

We advise that if you’re not a professional mechanic or have little to no experience fixing rocker panels, then allow the professionals to handle it. This is because you may think you’re saving money but may end up damaging other parts of the vehicle including the panels, which may cost you more money to fix or replace.

How Do You Save Money on Replacing Chevy Silverado Rocker Panels?

To save money on replacing Chevy Silverado rocker panels, buy the panels in a set, replace the rocker panels at an auto repair shop, take advantage of promos online, and make use of used parts. However, you have to ensure you don’t purchase inferior rocker panels.

– Buy Panels in a Set

This follows the principle that buying things in bulk is relatively cheaper than buying the same thing individually. Thus, if you know you need two rocker panels, make sure you buy them in a set rather than individually. If you do this, chances are high that you’ll get a good deal.

– Replace the Rocker Panels at an Auto Repair Shop

Make sure you fix the rocker panels at an auto repair shop rather than a dealership because prices at a mechanic’s shop tend to be higher than at a dealership. This is because of the overhead and operating costs at a car dealership. Also, the mechanics at the dealership tend to charge higher labor costs than those at the auto body repair shops.

– Take Advantage of Online Promos

Browse the internet for shops and manufacturers that are running a promo on rocker panels and take advantage of the situation. However, be warned of scams and malicious websites that would want to steal your data or infect your device with viruses. Make sure you browse credible websites and stay away from suspicious ones.

– Purchase Fairly-used Rocker Panels

You can purchase fairly used panels that are in good condition and fix them on your car. This helps save a lot of money as they come cheaper than brand-new ones but still get the job done.

The caution here is that make sure you physically examine these parts before buying them to avoid purchasing damaged panels.

Frequently Asked Questions

– What Factors Cause Chevy Silverado Rocker Panel Damage?

Several factors cause Chevy Silverado rocker panel damage, including impacts with rocks and gravel, impacts from accidents, and rusting. Other factors include the age of the panels and natural wear and tear. Most of these can be avoided by driving with care and regular washing of the vehicle.

With this in mind, you might be asking “Is it worth fixing rusted rocker panels?” No, it is not worth fixing rusted rocker panels because the panels may have developed holes in them and that’ll be difficult to repair. It is best to do full replacement rocker panels with slip on rocker panels or welded panels.

– Is It Possible to Drive Without Rocker Panels?

Yes, it is possible to drive without the panels but we will advise against doing so because it will affect the integrity of the car. Rocker panels serve as your vehicle’s structural reinforcements, preventing the cabin from deforming in case of an accident.

Conclusion

We’ve discovered the cost of replacing a Chevy Silverado’s rocker panels and explained the various cost components.

Here are highlights of the most important points discussed in this article:

• The typical cost of replacing Chevy Silverado rocker panels is $2,350, depending on the make, model, labor costs and other factors.
• The cost of the panels themselves averages $300, but the labor costs are quite high, averaging $2,050 due to the amount of work required to replace the panels.
• Also, you may need to replace the cab corners of your vehicle, which should cost between $710 and $2,010 depending on several factors.
• However, there are several ways to beat down the cost of replacing rocker panels, including taking advantage of online promos and replacing the panels at an auto repair instead of a dealership.
• Also, you can purchase fairly used rocker panels that are in good condition, but be sure to examine them physically so that you’re not duped.

Take note that though it is possible to drive without rocker panels, you’ll be endangering the integrity of the vehicle and the lives of the people on board. To help your rocker panels last, make sure you drive carefully, avoid rocky roads, and wash your vehicle regularly.