Replacing floor braces, rockers etc
 

So just in the middle of an ls swap on my 65 and the more I look at my front cab floor supports and rest of rot the more I realize how bad an unsafe it is . I picked this truck up in Oklahoma last spring .
Anyways this is what I’m dealing with few pics attached . The front cab mount supports are totally gone an collapsing the rears could be patched in . Needs inner outer rockers , kick panels, floor braces, probably A pillar pieces and floor pans . The drivers side foot area rot goes up quite aways not sure if there’s patch panels for these areas ?
So thought about a complete floor but don’t really want to pull cab so I might just tackle it with cab on frame an lift one side at a time an do The floor braces. I know this is a ton of work I’ve done some floor work on my Chevelle and it wasn’t a lot of fun but now is the time to tackle this before I put me engine etc back in.
Any tips on what to tackle first would be greatly appreciated
This is what I was thinking of doing first
- cross brace cab
- a pillar patches if needed
- then front floor brace/support complete right to cab mount
- rear cab floor support
- floor pan
- kick panel
- then work back towards rockers

Re: Replacing floor braces, rockers etc
 

Heres a few of the floor supports , the fronts need total replacement the rears i could probably patch them in. Have to patch behind front wheels on firewall/toe board area as well

Re: Replacing floor braces, rockers etc
 

Just curious why you don't want to pull the cab? It's not that hard. There's like 3 wiring connections, take the master cylinder and the steering column off, and 4 bolts. Takes like 2 hours. I did the whole floor on my 72, and it was definitely a good decision. I feel a lot better about it now.

Re: Replacing floor braces, rockers etc
 

After taking to a few different body guys they all suggested to keep as much of the factory floor as possible an not replace whole floor. Most of my floor is solid except foot area and braces. I’m gonna try lift one side at a time first an see how that goes for brace replacement if needed I”ll pull cab . I have a 2 post lift in my shop which makes things so much easier

Re: Replacing floor braces, rockers etc
 

with a 2 post lift then pulling the cab for repair should be a nobrainer...

Re: Replacing floor braces, rockers etc
 

Replacing the floor entirely with an OEM-style part is definitely better than patching here and there. There will be no rust, no random weld seams to cause distortion and stress points, and it is easier to install. Not to mention that it takes half the time to do.

Re: Replacing floor braces, rockers etc
 

What he said.^^^ Plus you really need new bushings. It sounds like its much harder to replace the entire floor with one piece but its not! the new floor is under 500. when its on sale and the labor time will be less than half of how much time it will take to "patch" your floor.

Re: Replacing floor braces, rockers etc
 

^^^×3^^^

Re: Replacing floor braces, rockers etc
 

My floor isn’t as bad as that on my ‘67 and I’ve been told by many to just replace the entire floor. Seems way easier for me.

Re: Replacing floor braces, rockers etc
 

I just finished sandblasting bunch of floor an toe boards an I’m going to grab a one piece floor tomorrow. There $1100 up here if I bought all the pieces I need separately would be around $800 . Cab is coming off

Re: Replacing floor braces, rockers etc
 

;)

Re: Replacing floor braces, rockers etc
 

Grabbed floor today. Braces cab up an off with it

Re: Replacing floor braces, rockers etc
 

sweet looking floor pan. ...I don't think you'll regret it...

Re: Replacing floor braces, rockers etc
 

Ya it’s a dynacor hopefully fits good . Almost got the old one out

Re: Replacing floor braces, rockers etc
 

Very nice! I can't wait for the day the floor gets replaced in my '67.

Re: Replacing floor braces, rockers etc
 

What does a guy use in between cab/floor flanges besides weld on primer ? Looked like there was seam sealer inside cab on floor an the firewall joint ?

Re: Replacing floor braces, rockers etc
 

If there was seam sealer originally, it needs it again. I'd also spray the entire underside of your new floor with some sort of undercoating.

Re: Replacing floor braces, rockers etc
 

I didn’t see any sealer in between the flanges only inside the cab at the tranny tunnel area there was a bead layed on top of the joint. Just wanna make sure . I’m ready to mount up new floor but have to sand inside cab while it’s on it’s back first

Re: Replacing floor braces, rockers etc
 

the seam sealer on mine was put on after it was assembled....you wouldn't want it between the joints if you have to weld them..that's where the weld thru primer comes in...

Re: Replacing floor braces, rockers etc
 

I'd probably at least seam seal it after it's welded in from both the top and bottom sides. Also spray the insides of your new rockers and cab corners with undercoating before you weld them on too. Also some cavity wax with a wand kit helps prevent corrosion.

Re: Replacing floor braces, rockers etc
 

Right on that’s what I figured just wanted to make sure . Thx

Re: Replacing floor braces, rockers etc
 

keep in mind seam sealer needs to at least have a coat of primer put down first...it doesn't need to be put dtm

Re: Replacing floor braces, rockers etc
 

Was hoping to put floor in place an tack it up but have to sand inside of cab and fix rust/holes in roof outer/inner skin from an old antenna. Tempted to pop a perfect skin off a spare roof I have

Re: Replacing floor braces, rockers etc
 

i would get the whole cab acid dipped and go from there.

Re: Replacing floor braces, rockers etc
 

Not doing a restoration.
Keeping the old exterior paint etc . Inside will be solid after this . I’ve gone through whole drivetrain , suspension, ps, pb etc . Just built a ls for it as well