Need help! Floor is out and want to do frame connectors, what have you guys done? 68r

[Matts68bird]

I am replacing a lot of sheetmetal on my 68 roadrunner. Floor pans are out, fenders, trunk, etc... The car is stripped and sitting on jack stands right now.

I am at a point now where I feel I am at a stand still. IL is now cold and slowing down my plan of attack. I ideally wanted to take the car to my shop and blast it down before I start doing panel replacement, but... I don't want to have the car flash rust due to the moisture and I'm really afraid that the car will tweak being loaded on and off a trailer on my casters.

So my plan of attack is to order a full floorpan from amd, and to order the weld in frame connectors from us car tools. seems all of you guy on the forum like both of these companies and they look to put out a good product.

HERE THE QUESTIONS COME>>>

Do you guys feel that while I'm this far, I should do toque boxes as well?

Also, what should i do first? Should I weld in the floorpan or the connectors. Also, i have the car on stands now, should i feel that i am safe to do all this on the stands?? I'm seeing that some ppl weld in the connectors when the car has a "load" on them.(wheels and suspension)

Looking for your guys thoughts anything helps!!! thanks
Matt

- - - Updated - - -

**bottom pic of the rear part of the car was before i took out the k member and rear-end** just the stripped down shell at the moment

 

[Hemirunner]

You're not going to tweak it if it's just a shell. I'd have that thing blasted and put into epoxy before I started panel replacement. Then I'd put in the floor, then the subframe connectors. I'd definitely do the torque boxes as well and the braces that go into the upper front connecting the firewall to the inner fender. All of the pieces you need come in the chassis stiffening kit.

 

[Matts68bird]

well i honestly like to go that route but then I'm waiting till end of April to do it... (till weather gets nice enough to blast and spray.... hate IL

 

[moparmarks]

I'd get the floors and quarters back in first. They say to install the frame connecters with the motor and tranny in the car.

 

[Beekeeper]

Yep floor pans and quarters then connectors and torque boxes. It's a toss up on doing the connects with or without load on the chassis but at the very least I would want the doors and fenders on and lined up and chassis level before welding in the connectors. I've seen them welded in with the shell on a rotisserie with no problems.

 

[Jeremiah]

Whatever you do tie the frame connectors to the floor pan. I'm sorry I didn't way back when. Mine are bowed up and hitting the floor pan from launching the car at valve float.

 

[Matts68bird]

Whatever you do tie the frame connectors to the floor pan. I'm sorry I didn't way back when. Mine are bowed up and hitting the floor pan from launching the car at valve float.

Yes i plan on doing that, just want to tie everything together. I don't plan on getting too crazy, but it seems like everyone suggest these to add especially with me being this far.
Matt

 

[Jeremiah]

I didn't think things would go as far as they have either. It started with a lousy one wheel brake stand. Pretty soon I was head to toe in motor oil skipping Homecoming to save money for a tunnel ram.

When it comes to muscle cars a man cannot be trusted! Keep us posted on your progress.

 

[Matts68bird]

I didn't think things would go as far as they have either. It started with a lousy one wheel brake stand. Pretty soon I was head to toe in motor oil skipping Homecoming to save money for a tunnel ram.

When it comes to muscle cars a man cannot be trusted! Keep us posted on your progress.

Haha been there with this car when i was 18. I know what you mean. Keep me posted w that firewall too. Its no rush, its 0 degrees here in IL so i won't be in the garage for a while. Whenever you get around to it, and tell me a total. The money and address to ship to will be sent that day. Building the motorcycle in the basement at the moment, gotta stay busy. Im one of those ppl who can't sit still.
Matt

 

[Jeremiah]

I was out in the yard busy with the spot weld cutter today. I need to free the passenger wheelhouse for a guy, then rear frame rails for another guy, torsion bar x-member for another, and then off with the front clip and your firewall section. I found that laying in the frozen mud cutting spot welds is better than thawed mud lol. At least the frost keeps my beer cold.

I'll stay in touch with progress reports.

 

[Hemirunner]

I could use the passenger side of the firewall that is under the front fender while you're cutting. I'm assuming your sectioning the firewall for Matt's piece?

 

[Matts68bird]

I was out in the yard busy with the spot weld cutter today. I need to free the passenger wheelhouse for a guy, then rear frame rails for another guy, torsion bar x-member for another, and then off with the front clip and your firewall section. I found that laying in the frozen mud cutting spot welds is better than thawed mud lol. At least the frost keeps my beer cold.

I'll stay in touch with progress reports.

great thank you!