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> Rocker panel rivets, (Again)
chmillman
post Oct 16 2025, 04:56 AM
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Thinking about pulling my rocker panels and having them repainted - they are looking a bit dingy and grayish. Plus all the discussions here about looking underneath…

They are currently held on by the plastic rivets - I think - they don’t look great and probably not salvageable. I thought I would put the panels back on with pop rivets, which seem like a more solid solution - black ones are available - I don’t mind having to drill them out if I want to remove the panels again at a later date. I don’t anticipate doing it often. Is there anything that argues strongly against this?
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emerygt350
post Oct 16 2025, 05:12 AM
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I use aluminum rivets, drill out real easy. I have a grey car so the color doesn't matter. I pull mine once or twice a year.
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bdstone914
post Oct 16 2025, 05:14 AM
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I just installed a set with aluminum pop rivets. I don't mind the aluminum look. It was quick ans easy. If it ever bugs me I will use a black paint pen on the heads
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cassmcentee
post Oct 16 2025, 06:04 AM
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I used Rivnuts and stainless hex bolts (same bolts for engine tin)
Easy to take on and off
This corner is a little tricky...
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Millerwelds
post Oct 16 2025, 06:06 AM
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I am in the process of replacing all the miss matched hardware with M5 rivnut's. The rockers, front and rear valences, headlight covers, sill plates, etc. One allen wrench covers everything. Using black on mine.
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930cabman
post Oct 16 2025, 02:38 PM
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I use aluminum pop rivets, a dab of black paint on the head.

done
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chmillman
post Oct 16 2025, 02:47 PM
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OK, thanks all, I can easily get black ones here anyway. Before I start pulling the old ones out - what diameter are they? 3.2mm? 4mm?
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Front yard mechanic
post Oct 17 2025, 06:22 AM
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Black screws easy on and off ( stupid little plastic rivets are for people with little fingers)Attached Image
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rick 918-S
post Oct 17 2025, 06:33 AM
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914 Rubber has the plastic Rivets
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bdstone914
post Oct 17 2025, 07:19 AM
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QUOTE(Front yard mechanic @ Oct 17 2025, 05:22 AM) *

Black screws easy on and off ( stupid little plastic rivets are for people with little fingers)Attached Image


Those take screws. He is talking about the rocker panels not the carpet strips
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Root_Werks
post Oct 17 2025, 09:31 AM
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Dunno if this helps, I'm using SS rockers which are thicker metal than stock. I don't use rivets. Not needed. Sure looks cleaner and way easier to remove and clean.
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FlacaProductions
post Oct 17 2025, 09:53 AM
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@Root_Werks - did the stainless come pre-drilled or did you have to line 'em up and drill the mounting holes? How did you finish them?
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Root_Werks
post Oct 17 2025, 10:12 AM
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QUOTE(FlacaProductions @ Oct 17 2025, 08:53 AM) *

@Root_Werks - did the stainless come pre-drilled or did you have to line 'em up and drill the mounting holes? How did you finish them?


Powder coated satin black.

Holes on the bottom were drilled as well as the fender holes. No rivet holes were drilled. The panel is rigid enough the rivets aren't needed.

Not a very good picture from years ago. You can sort of see no rivets:



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Literati914
post Oct 17 2025, 11:02 AM
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QUOTE(bdstone914 @ Oct 17 2025, 08:19 AM) *

QUOTE(Front yard mechanic @ Oct 17 2025, 05:22 AM) *

Black screws easy on and off ( stupid little plastic rivets are for people with little fingers)


Those take screws. He is talking about the rocker panels not the carpet strips


I used black screws in both places, worked fine and I prefer this solution for ease of R/R - but not before messing around with the infuriating little nylon rivets. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)
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Montreal914
post Oct 17 2025, 11:10 AM
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@chmillman

Not sure you got your answer on the hole diameter in the body for the rivets. I measured a few and got 3.3 - 3.5mm for the holes. I would assume more readily available(?) 1/8” (3.125mm) rivets could work. Then again these are probably made in China so would they actually be of metric OD? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

I was thinking about using the plastic ones.

Good luck!
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FlacaProductions
post Oct 17 2025, 11:15 AM
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@Root_Werks - thanks - that's helpful.
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bkrantz
post Oct 17 2025, 08:04 PM
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QUOTE(Literati914 @ Oct 17 2025, 11:02 AM) *

QUOTE(bdstone914 @ Oct 17 2025, 08:19 AM) *

QUOTE(Front yard mechanic @ Oct 17 2025, 05:22 AM) *

Black screws easy on and off ( stupid little plastic rivets are for people with little fingers)


Those take screws. He is talking about the rocker panels not the carpet strips


I used black screws in both places, worked fine and I prefer this solution for ease of R/R - but not before messing around with the infuriating little nylon rivets. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)


I think screws are the way to go for anyone who plans to (or just doesn't avoid) getting their 914 dirty. In that case, removing the rocker covers with every serious wash. Garage queens can have rivets.
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