Ok fellas need some pro's and con's on trunk/floor panels. What is better multipiece or full sections L/R? Befor I purchase any suggestions would be helpful. 79shovel

I just finished a rust bucket that took me many months to fix. I replaced floor pans, most of the support braces, rear seat pan, trunk pan, and welded in metal big time in pieces I couldn't get replacement parts for. I think I am half-way qualified to answer this one.

Get the biggest pieces you can find. Learn to weld in a class and get a MIG welder for home if you are not there yet. Plan on taking your time and doing it right so you only have to do it once. Take care of rust now, not after it's painted.

Watch out for rust behind the floor pan support braces where they connect to the rockers. I couldn't see it, but when I removed my braces for replacement I found holes as big as my fist from rust. The only thing you can do is cut it out and weld in new metal.

Look everywhere for rust and deal with it now, or regret it later.

Steve

I'll second that Chevl_Steve's. I used a two piece trunk pan and welding the seams up was a mother. A full piece would have been easier to put in, but I don't know how easy it would have been getting it in the trunk opening. Piecing things together is not fun and requires much patience to fit and re-fit. Do it right the first time.

Good luck

They are making one piece floor kits for the 68-69 GTO now. And will be making them shortly for the chevelle, i'm told. Whene i say one piece i mean "1Piece" from the rear body panel,trunk latch area, to the back seat including all bracing and mounts already installed. This obviously has to be installed from underneath. Keep an eye out these will save a tone of welding time.

Thanks fellas this vital information has made a deciding factor in my purchase of floor and trunk panels. Thumbs up to all of you who have experienced this,and willing to share any helpful information. Thanks again 79shovel

im in the middle of trunk replacement now(i bought the 7 piece kit-3 floor sec., 2 tank braces, and 2 mount braces) i have the body off the frame and on my lift, so its a little easier.
so far, i cut out all the pieces(5) between the body and tank braces-i left the braces in, and removed the tank braces, ref. the new ones off the mount braces, now im gonna remove the body braces and ref. them off the tank braces-once their done, i'll finish cutting out the trunk floor and start replacing the 3 pieces(then i'll prob wish i had 1 piece(i would think you need a 1/4 panel rem. to use 1 piece, not sure

would the new panel glues work instead of welding the three pieces together?? Looks like if it will hold a quarter panel on it should hold the trunk together

I bought the two piece from NPD and had no problems. This kit offered more coverage then any other trunk floor kit.
If you plan out the welded seems you can get them to go over a brace, pretty darn easy welding

Thanks agian guys.
Shovel

I just got done also, here are some pics if you are interested..

http://members.cox.net/renslove70ss/trunk.htm

Nice Pics, Did you Fab. a new package shelf or weld back the old one?
I have to do the same to my 67 and have the parts and didn't know if I should cut out all that you did or do it alittle at a time. Looks to be easyer to get it all out of the way.

Thanks,
Carl

IMO much easier to get it all out of the way. When you have to lean all the way into the truck to weld up the truck pan by the back seat I think you’ll wish that seat divider was out of the way. With the seat divider the rear packing shelf out of the way you can set in the car for that weld, my back can’t take all that leaning over.

My divider and packing shelf needed some work and had to come out anyway. I’ll re-fab what I removed & reinstall– no one makes replacements.