[papachino]

I searched the forums though and through and didn't find anything in particular to my question.

This is our first convertible restoration and need to know what we should do prior to taking anything apart. The floor pans are the our main concern as of now and we don't want any flexing our "droop". where should we put bracing? is it better to leave it on the tires or to put jack stands under the axles and body?

[Andrew O'Leary]

right now i am restoring a 1966 coupe and i need to replace the floorpan so i did was get everything out of the car including carpet and found i need to replace the entire thing (huge disapointment) so i am in the process of cutting out the old one and have a new one piece floorpan ready to go in but i am not putting in any braces or anything like that im just welding it to the frame and i left about an inch (good metal) of the old floorpan around the car so i will weld it to that as well

[BigSecz]

You'll deffinately need bracing since you don't have a roof to do it for you. I would think if you used two pieces that stretched from left to right, one in the front just before the door opening and one in the rear just behind the door opening you should be good. I would deffinately recommend putting it on jack stands to get rid of any amount of stress you can on the body.

[Icerat]

There are fairly cheap ($150) bracing kits sold by various companies all over, easily found on e-bay, that are made specific for your car. It is a must for a convertible. basically bracing the door opening and between the two fronts of the rear quarters is the general idea. Most vendors who sell rotisseries will sell those bracing kits as well.

[Sick467]

Here is a nice place to visit for convertible pics. There are a few nice shots of bracing and the shell work is pretty impreissive too. A google on "mustang convertible bracing rotisserie" or the like will give you all kinds of bracing ideas. Try perusing the images search and look for something familiar.

Google Image Result for http://www.1970shelby.net/uploads/8/7/4/0/874008/3135560.jpg

I've not done any convertible work, but I can't help but think that if you were just doing individual floor pans (Recommended for the first timer like myself - not the entire floor) that putting the shell on jack stands somewhere between the firewall and front shock towers and somewhere bewteen the rear floor pans and rear axle bumpers, And blocking periodically under the rocker panels AND near the front and rear of car that you'd be just fine. (Whew! bout ran out of breath.) I would replace one section at a time to be on the safe side too.

[Red 66 GT]

Actually the full floor is a nicer piece and makes for a better looking finished product. It's a bit more of a challenge to install but in the end you'll be glad you did. Use the Dynacorn pan. It is a much "crisper" stamping in my opinion.