Hi guys,

Thinking about replacing the floor in my 69 vert. The aftermarket floor with braces and rockers look inviting. If I brace the cowl to the rear inner structure, almost like a roll cage, is it possible? Any words of wisdom.

Mike

Brace the hell out of it. A-pillar to B-pillar(across the door opening) and from side to side. I put one under the dash and 2 crossing each other in the middle of the car.

This way nothing moves when you cut metal out and stays square (keep your fingers crossed).

Thanks. Do you think a rotisserie type stand would help??

Mike

Yes, for sure. Thats what I did, but before I moved it it welded up the braces. I have coupe so I even welded a brace from the roof to the floor in the door opening. That obviously wont work for you. You also are going to want to put the car back on the frame to get the floor mounts in the exact spot. If you are off by a 1/4" that bolts wont line up. I did all the floor supports, inner rockers and entire floor. Matter of fact I just welded the trunk in yesterday.

I'm going to need the trunk floor too. Did you use the one pc with braces??

If you have any pics of your work, I'd love to see them. I'm one of those guys that collects as much info and pictures as I can before I attempt these kinds of repairs.

Mike

Here's mine

http://http://s556.photobucket.com/albums/ss3/bartadams2009/

I had to install a new firewall section from a four door because mine was way too rusted. So I could not brace everything up when I installed the floor. The floor will help you square everything up. Be sure and take good measurements before you take anything apart.

Rebuild it with it setting on the chassis and new body bushings and it will go together fine.

The one piece trunk pan is the way to go because it saves you a ton of labor.

Once you set the floor pan and trunk pan on the chassis, it gives you a foundation to build the rest of the car from.

Too many "http's" ^

http://s556.photobucket.com/albums/ss3/bartadams2009/

Wow, those are awesome. Thanks.

Mike

This job NEEDS to be done on the frame. I'll be installing the 1 piece floor with braces and rockers in my 70 convertible in a few months.

I braced this one with black pipe then built a rolling cart that the frame fit in. Once I lifted the body off the frame I put in the cross braces on the wood cart. The frame rolled right out and with the width of the cart I was able to prep the body for the new floor. I laid the new fllor pan on the shop floor and pushed the wood cart right over it. The car is going on a rotisserie when the floor is completely weld in next weekend and my other car a 1970 Chevelle is taken off the rotisserie and put on it's frame. I will use the wood cart for my 1969 Chevelle next.

The bracing inside the car made it solid. The cart helped with the floor

The wood cart can be narrowed to fit under the car in a couple of minutes so work on quarters can be done without the cart being in the way.

http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu262/vic2tric/Vert/100_1194.jpg

http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu262/vic2tric/Vert/100_1196.jpg

http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu262/vic2tric/Vert/100_1199.jpg

http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu262/vic2tric/100_1216.jpg

http://i654.photobucket.com/albums/uu262/vic2tric/OrangeII-1.jpg

One piece is the way to go. There was not that option for the 65 when I purchased mine. Now of course they are out there, would have saved so much work. I will try to post some pics when I get a chance.

What a great idea. Did you tack weld the floor in first and check to make sure the mounts lined up or was the bracing good enough to keep the body mount holes in the correct positions.

Mike

What a great idea. Did you tack weld the floor in first and check to make sure the mounts lined up or was the bracing good enough to keep the body mount holes in the correct positions.

Mike

Not sure if you are refering to me or someone else. But in my case I did not remove the car from the frame or even the frame to body bolts until I had the bracing welded in. Then I measured everything, marked the locations of the floor supports which also line up with factory holes and slots in the inner rocker panel plate(?).

I don't know how you can remove the old welded on braces from the rockers without removing the body from the frame. If there is someone who knows how to do this it would be good to hear.

Before welding the floor in completely the frame will be rolled back under the car and check it again. The weld it up.

I am lucky enough to have a second frame to do this with because the other frame is going to the powder coaters before the floor is finshed