[outoftouch]

I am about to replace my floor pans to a one piece ( 65 Satellite) before I finish cutting out the remaining floor what are some good tips for securing the car from twisting ?

Some say that as long as the car is on wheels under it's own suspension load that I should not have any worries. Basically, I can take out the old floor and then measure fit and weld in the new one piece.

Then others say to put it up on floor jacks to release suspension ?

Which is reality ?

I am just doing it my garage, I have no special gear, other than floor jacks, jack stands etc...

Need some ideas thanks

[deadbodyman]

I like to get the car as high as I can and use the stands under the suspension so the weight of the car rests on the suspension,just as it would normally ...Its very important with a uni body...and a good practice with full frame cars too...I've had the door gaps close or get wider on a few hardtops and most convertibles even with full frames,so just put the stands under the suspension just in case... and be safe...

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by outoftouch

Need some ideas thanks

The only way to ensure that there is no movement is to temporarily weld side-to-side braces between the rockers. I would also add a diagonal brace to ensure no racking.

[OneMoreTime]

Is that car a unibody like a Mustang..if so do all you can to support the car and put the temp bracing in like Joe suggested. Make sure the doors are right before welding anything..

Sam

[outoftouch]

Can someone show me a picture of this rocker bracing/diagonal ?

Also, exactly where "deadbody" says to place the jack stands ?

Pictures are worth a thousand words as they say !

thanks

[mustangsal]

Check the pics. On the front you want to be on the lower arm toward the wheel. It may even have the stock jack point there. In the rear you want to put them under the shock plate (where the rear is bolted to the springs and the shocks attach).

Pics are from a Mustang, but yours should be similar.

[deadbodyman]

heres a couple ....put them under the rear axel and under the control arms where ever it fits best usually by the ball joint,,,
This way its just like the car is sitting on the ground ....

[deadbodyman]

heres some of the bracing ...
I just used what I had laying around but found that electrical conduit works well ,just smash the ends flat and run a 10mm drill screw it.No need for welding.You'll also need a screw at the intersection of the X.
You'll want to replace or repair any worn hinges first then adjust the door gaps.
Put your braces on the inside of the jamb so you can open and close the door ,this way you can monitor any movement when your cutting and welding..
The bracing I did here is way more than you'll need because I replaced the floors and rockers also dropped the body over the frame..
if your only replacing the floor theres no need for a brace connecting the front and rear pillar ,the rocker will do that.All you really need is an X in the jamb but extra bracing never hurts.
Send pics of your progress as you go...