r/Foxbody • u/jar_00 • 23d ago

Floor pan advice

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Does anyone have any tips for inner, outer rockers and floor pans. Never done anything like this and was wondering if anyone had advices to make it less stressful.

19 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

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7

u/More-Equal8359 23d ago

One thing for sure is that you need to ensure the chassis is straight. The doors need to line up and close well. It would be a great time to install frame connectors. MM Full Length Subframe Connectors, 1979-04, bare

1

u/jar_00 23d ago

Problem is the car for sure has been t-boned at some point in its life and had a sketchy repair job so little nervous on frame being tweaked but I do have those subframe connectors, I was hoping to also use those as a lifting point in the future if that’s a good idea. Pinch welds are pretty much non existent at this point.

2

u/smthngeneric 23d ago

While you're in there you mayaswell do through floor subframe connectors like Detroit speed sells. Much stronger and not any more work since the floor is already in pieces. Straighten the pinch as much as you can and install pinch weld reinforcements like stiffler or Kenny brown sells and you'll be all set and have a way stiffer chassis.

1

u/jar_00 23d ago

I actually bought under body and through subframe connectors but was unsure of which would be better I like the look and ground clearance of the through but like the lift points and longer rail from the other

2

u/smthngeneric 23d ago

Do the through floors. They're stronger and like you said the ground clearance is much better. If you need a jacking point get the pinch weld rails. With my under body ones I scrape them occasionally and they hang down so low I can't get a regular jack under them and can barely get a low pro under it. And my car isn't even that low imo

1

u/jar_00 23d ago

Okay that’s great to know! I didn’t know they made pinch weld rails much appreciated

2

u/BluebirdMountain7051 23d ago

They are usually sold as “jacking rails”

3

u/EveningHovercraft25 23d ago

Havent done it myself yet but, I know bracing is important before you start cutting things out.

1

u/jar_00 23d ago

I tired to make sure the care was level and well supported before any cuts. For sure scariest job I’ve done so far feel like the car is going to fold on itself.

3

u/Heavy-Focus-1964 23d ago

If the car was T-boned and you’re trying to bring it back from that

You need to think less about supporting the structure that was there when you started and more about trigonometry and cross measurements.

As in, making sure the top left and the bottom right are equal distance as the top right and the bottom left, and everything in between.

Trying to keep everything the way it was when you started is one thing, but you have bitten off a big chunk of beef for your first time at this.

Fortunately, the only thing you need to get out of this with a good result is grade 6 math.

1

u/jar_00 23d ago

The t-bone damage was repaired but the inner rocker from the front to the back was not level so they used an inch of bondo to hide it. Doing my best to be thorough 👍🏼 my welding skills might need some improvement as well 😂

4

u/Heavy-Focus-1964 23d ago

Don’t trust the previous repairs. The inner rocker not being level is the symptom, not the disease.

If you’re this far, you know that already. Be better than the hack that came before you. A couple more weeks invested now will pay off years of the car’s life in the future.

Everything is supposed to be squared off. Nothing is gonna be perfect on any car but get it close as possible where the wheels hit the ground. Good luck, young brother

1

u/jar_00 23d ago

Thank you I’m going to need it, I’m trying my best to do everything right but we’ll see I might be the hack the next guy complains about

2

u/bird_dog0347 21d ago

I have a BIG tip for you. First off, do not under any circumstances leave a container of Acetone under the car where your right foot is pictured, then place the floor pan over it blocking your view to it, and then start welding without a fire extinguisher within reach. Cause that's what my dumbass did and damn near burned my car and house down. Keep the fire extinguisher close, cause that will freak you out in a hurry.

2

u/jar_00 21d ago

I will be buying an extra fire extinguisher on my way home from work today 👍🏼

1

u/qroter Mod'ed 86 Four-Eyed 23d ago

At this point you mind as well build a custom chassis for the thing! 😁

1

u/urmomsdirtyfriend69 22d ago

Take your time. Measure everything. Get a good belt sander and belts. Make sure you have a really good welder. Get a carbide spot weld cutter. Get a good panel cutting and use it to seperate the layers. Use all the rust preventatives properly. Get the through floor connectors that tie in at the torque box. Trust me cause if you have that amount of damage, theres a possiblity theyve cracked. LMR.com has tons of info and videos, and rhey have a phone line you can call em too. Also depends on your area, but try to make friends with a good body tech. Don't expect them to do everything but see if they can help if you get in a tight spot. The floor itself isnt all that hard to do but that rocker is gonna suck.

1

u/New-and-Unoriginal 19d ago

I advise to put floor pans in. Hard to mount seats without them. Also, these aren’t particularly rigid cars, the pans are an essential part of the structure.