I have got to replace the 1/4's and wheelhouse's on my 71 elky. By the time i would patch panel all the rust holes i probably could be done w/ quarters. Anyway I have body on rolling body cart and made mounts to bolt body to cart in all factory places. I ,ve never done 1/4s before and I,m not scared just want to do it right the first time. Questions -shouldn't I hang doors first and align them to 1/4's before removing the 1/4's? and is it ok do replace the quarters while I have body bolted to rolling cart? I also have had to replace complete smugglers box and rear window panel below glass. I have not reinstalled the new panels yet because of the 1/4s but I did weld 1 x 1 steel across bed just behind rear window and under car just behind doors to get body tight. any ideas or insight would be appreciated. I plan to buy full quarters.
Thanks

Sounds like your on the right track to me. Yes, hang the doors and align to your old 1/4 panel so you can shoot for the same alignment with your new 1/4. Order your 1/4 & wheel well before cutting anymore metal. Buy the best quality 1/4 panel you can find to help eliminate fitment issues. It's fine having the body on a cart as long as it fits just like the frame. If it doesn't fit correctly you could be in for some problems when you go to bolt it back on the frame. Drill out you factory spot welds and remove your old quarter without prying and hacking as you'll screw upp your attaching flanges. I haven't seen your body cart but I'm thinking you could slip & bolt the bare frame back under the car/truck and set it back up on your cart to be sure.

Thanks for reply. My cart like has a rotating center center section 1-1/2 pipe nipple w/a 1/4 pc of flat stock welded to it so when I rolled the whole car between by two post lift I picked up body under side and rolled frame out and then had to measure and built cart. I then lower body and bolted it down in all factory spots from cowl back to rear section just in front of rear bumper. It rolls great does not twist or dip or move. I can stand in rear of bed and whole body stays in place. I have always been a kind of kind that overkills when I make something but extra effort pasy off in long run.
I will not remove 1/4s to I have doors completely aligned . Then I'll place 1/4 over old one why still on car to get an idea how it will fit and where i will have to cut. I have a set of 3/8 blair spotweld cutters but spotwelds look smaller like 1/4 " . what is the best item to use?last I could bolt frame back up to body but I would have to put it on jack stands to do it. The frame and the whole suspension is just sitting in a pile since i got it back from powder coater two years ago. I had a issue with a drunk driver killing my daughter in june of 07' and took me a year to get started again. I still have issues and its helps tremendously to get working on car and get my mind on other things. I really appreciate your help and advice . I want to say when I am done with car I did it all but the best thing I ever did was join ACEs and get involved w/ this website and the great people.

As long as the body fits your cart without having to pull it down with the bolts you should be OK. I've used some cheapy spot weld cutters and always go back to a plain old drill bit myself. I use a 3/8" drill that I ground the flutes to be a little flatter so I just set it on the spot weld and start drilling. Stop when you get through the first layer of metal and you shouldn't have much of a hole if any in the bottom peice that will stay on the car. Spend your money getting a quarter that has the factory flanges on it rather than a quarter "skin" that will require body work to hide the seams. You'll need a pile of vise grips or cleco clamps to fit it all up before you start any welding.
I'm just a hobbist, there are some real pro's on this site that will chime in if your not getting the correct/right answers.

I really appreciate the help. I will buy the best 1/4s I can. I have been dealing w/ the El Camino store who is owned by Ecklers. They aslo own Ricks first generation camaro.
I do not get a lot of responses to my questions. it must be the car. Just like its value I am doing all this work for myself because if I was in it to make money on an El camino i would lose my butt.
I am guesing from your sign on your a Harley guy. My last bike was a shovel and now I have a Road Glide that I bought in 03' Its great when you get frustrated to be able to get on and get in wind.
Thanks for your help

Piece of cake.:D Just take your time , this was my first time.

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