I've done a lot of searches through the site and found bits and pieces of info but not quite enough to answer my question.

I'm getting ready to cut out of my 72 chevelle the trunk pans/braces and replace with a 7pc kit from Goodmark. (3 pans and 4 braces). Currently my plans are to

1. Cut the old floor and braces out.
2. Weld the two center (fuel tank) braces in.
3. Weld the outer two braces to the bottom of the pans
4. Install each outer pan and butt weld each end (if possible)
5. Lay the center pan on top of the outer pans and use seam sealer underneath where it's sitting on each outer pan. (no welding along those seams)
6. Plug weld center pan to the fuel tank braces.
6. Butt weld each end of the center.(if possible)

My questions, First is this a good plan? If so, I read that duramax sealer would be best for the pan seams so where do I find it? Any other suggestions or thoughts would be great.

Thanks!

Hoppy, I wouldn't want to have any lap welds in the trunk floor. I had mine butt welded. Where the pan lays over the braces, I had holes drilled in the braces and used them like a spot weld to hold the pan to the braces.

The pans almost look like they were made to overlap. Does anyone else have any thoughts?

Hi,I would ditch that 7 piece kit and buy the one piece trunk floor with all the braces installed.That way you can install it in the factory seams and no one will ever know if it was changed.Trust me,it will be quicker in the long run than building it piece by piece,I just finished doing a 69 chevelle for a customer and that is the last time I will use the 7 piece kit.HTH

crazy, Can you install the one piece without the body off the frame?

I would say yes to that,you would probably have to undo the body mounts, steering,anything that might stop you from being able to lift the body up.You don't have to take it right off the frame but you might have to lift up the body to slide the new part in.IT's also a good idea to have the vehicle on the frame to aid you in getting proper alignment.I'm doing a 69 chevelle rigt now and here's what I have replaced.Floor braces,left floor pan,trunk braces,outer sides of trunk floor, trunk braces,used tail panel,used dash panel,trunk dropoffs,inner and outer wheel wells,full quarter panels,patch front fenders.This has been a ton of work and its the second 69 I have done this year.I have been a body and paint guy for 18 years and work in a shop full time and do chevelle's and camaro's on the side.No one in my area seems to want to work on these cars in my area.If you have any questions I can help along with any of the other many talented guys on this site.

Hoppy,
I used the same 7pc kit,after I had it all cut out,I first installed the 2 outer braces making sure to keep the proper gap for the body mounts.I then spot welded in the 2 fuel tank braces to the rear support under the tail panel,the frt of the brace I left hang until I got the pans in because I replaced the trunk all the way to the rear seat and had nowhere to attach yet.I had to install the pans left to right due to how the seams overlapped together. The worst part was all of the ribs dont line up correctly at the tail panel so you have to do some fabricating there. I'm no bodyman,so if I can do it,anyone can.Theres a bunch of pics in my sig if you want to check them out

gravy d, looks good. Is that weldable primer on your trunk floor seam? Did you weld the bottom side too?

I did a full trunk pan and drop offs on the Charger not too long ago. The pans were in 2 halves and made to overlap by a half inch. I drilled about 500 holes in it to duplicate where all the factory spot welds were except I plug welded them all. I fully welded all the seams as well. Once I was done, I ground everything down and went over the welded areas with Evercoat Rage Gold body filler, can't tell anything was ever done there and it's solid to boot.

Hoppy,I used a spotwelder with I think they were 12" tongs,everywhere it could reach,then just plug welded the rest from all frm the top. I ground down the welds and used all metal in the seams