Symptoms
Rust bubbling along the rockers below the doors, soft floors under the carpet, and doors that sag or won't line up.
The fix, step by step
- Support the body properly and work one side at a time, leaving the doors in place so you keep the gaps.
- Cut out the outer rocker, inspect and replace the inner rocker and floor supports, then fit the new outer panel.
- Plug-weld it at the original spot-weld locations, seam-seal it and cavity-wax inside.
- Mill Supply sells OEM-style inner and outer rocker kits and floor supports for these trucks.
Tools & part numbers
- MIG welder
- spot-weld drill
- cut-off wheel
- clamps
- seam sealer
- cavity wax
Where to buy the parts
1985 Suburban rocker panel repair kit, inner & outer, L & RMill Supply ↗Amazon ↗
1985 Suburban front cab floor supportMill Supply ↗Amazon ↗
1985 Suburban inner & outer rocker, floor pan & support kitMill Supply ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Chevrolet/GMC Suburban (1973–1991 square body) parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.