Hello all.
I just purchased a 1970 cutlass convertible. The entire floor, rockers and floor braces are shot. It didn't seem that bad until I got all of the interior out. I just purchased an entire floor pan with the braces and rockers already welded. My question is what is the best way to go about installing it? Should I install it from the top or remove the frame and install it from the bottom? I feel like the top will be harder considering I should brace the car. I kind of feel like I should have purchased the floor, braces, and rockers individually and the install would have been easier. I am doing this in my 2 car garage and don't have a rotisserie. Any advice would be a great help.
Thanks

 

You have a big job ahead, need to brace body at door jambs, remove body from frame and inspect frame for rust. Most cars with rusted out floors will have issues with the frame. Best to put body on a rotisserie.

 

A full floorpan with braces and rockers has to go on from the bottom. It should mate to the factory spotweld flanges. You will need to pull the body from the frame. A convertible MUST have welded-in bracing before you do this.

 

floor pann is first thing set on platform at the factory,so first I would brace door jambs, tail to trunk hinge area and across dash to rear 1/4 ledge. build a wood or metal body jig,using the factory bolt holes for body mounts, floor drains ect for witness marks befor the old is cut off. cut the body off from floor,leaveing enough to trim later, lift body, take out old pan, install new pan on jig,using witness marks,let the body down and drill welds,trim ect till it fits. easier said than done,but it isn't hard,just time onsuming. and measure,measure,measure. my .03

 

Thanks for all of the good advice. I have a little more direction and know where to start now.
Kevin