Starting the floor pan replacement - convertible

[Polishmeatballpizza]

1. When you guys started your floor pans, did you brace the car in any way? I'm thinking of using steel angle, across the width and across each door opening. If anyone has pics, that would be greatly appreciated.

2. It looks like I can get a complete one piece floor pan, however, I think it may be easier to do it in sections. I looked at some of the floor pan parts on OPGI.com, the one-piece unit definitely has the tunnel for the drive shaft. I'm just wondering about the sections, from their pictures, it doesn't look like these sections have the tunnel. Can anyone confirm this?

3. I will need to replace the cross braces (front and rear) since mine are too rusted and I cannot bolt the seats back in without new pieces. It looks like the floor sections are installed after the braces - is this true?



 

[Loren At 65GS]

George,

1. When you guys started your floor pans, did you brace the car in any way? I'm thinking of using steel angle, across the width and across each door opening. If anyone has pics, that would be greatly appreciated.

  Being your car is a convertible, you do need to brace the door openings . I would also suggest a brace side to side.

2. It looks like I can get a complete one piece floor pan, however, I think it may be easier to do it in sections. I looked at some of the floor pan parts on OPGI.com, the one-piece unit definitely has the tunnel for the drive shaft. I'm just wondering about the sections, from their pictures, it doesn't look like these sections have the tunnel. Can anyone confirm this?

This depends upon the parts you get some have the tunnel, some don't.  I plan to use the complete floor with the braces already installed. I am an accomplished welder, just hate grinding seams. lol

3. I will need to replace the cross braces (front and rear) since mine are too rusted and I cannot bolt the seats back in without new pieces. It looks like the floor sections are installed after the braces - is this true?

I would think it would be best to install braces first , as that would help position repair panels.  The floor is welded to the braces also.

 Loren

[cwmcobra]

Here's a picture of my convertible on the rotisserie.  We braced the door openings, but not side to side.  This body is super solid, so we didn't feel the need to do the lateral bracing.

Chuck

[Polishmeatballpizza]

Thanks for the replies...

I will install three braces each for opening and across the back.

[Polishmeatballpizza]

Does anyone have detail pics of the side panels? The area in the front on each side, near the hinges? Not sure what that should look like when done correctly.