different shops/people do different things. some just run two posts on each side from the A-Pillars diagnally down to the rear of the body. id make a box frame along the bottom on the inside of the cab. then run a post from rear quarter to quarter and attach beams that go diagnally to that post. i think im an over cautious person, but better safe then sorry

 

Thanks OC. Im going to do a little search to try to come up on some pictures.

 

Originally posted by Skim@Nov 16 2005, 10:08 AM~4217261
Thanks OC.    Im going to do a little search to try to come up on some pictures.

Majestix cc did a 61 rag, that you can do a search under project rides on LIL or at their website to see how he braced his.

Let me ask you this, is the car solid, rockers and pans? If so then I have seen people weld tube, angle iron, or square tubing from inside front 1/4 to winshield housing top. I am a firm beleiver in triangles giving more support giving you a rockers, tubing, and firewall for your triangular form.

But if you have rust issues in rockers or floorpans, I would not remove body from frame untill they have been addressed and brace the body in the same above manner for when you do the replacement. And maybe add another brace in the door opening. And if you do have to remove your rockers I would take a thousand measurements. ANd always cut off not enough, as opposed to, too much.

But these are just practices I have seen and read about. I too have been researching for a minute for my upcoming project. Hope this helps

 

http://www.layitlow.com/forums/index.php?s...dpost&p=2286686

 

I got this from thier website(Majestix) hope it helps

 

Thanks man. I have been told about the Majestix rag build up so Im going to check it out. As for my rockers, they are very solid, floors are solid with the exception of 1 hole where the seat belt mount rusted away. The method you suggested seems to be the most beneficial. Thank god I have no rocker issues.

 

Damn TexasGold came thru with a quickness on that link, no search for me :thumbsup: He's got some work cut out for him litterally but since its a 61 that makes it all worth it.

 

i think the bracing they used is a bit overdone. theoritically/mathematically you can reduce the door structure down to a bar( as well as the X member). you might not want to make a 4 bar X, and instead use two seperate bars. the middle joint isnt going to be the most stable structure. 1 solid piece is going to be stronger then multiple welded pieces. if you do that, should do it at the bottom too. if you can get a hold of an old episode of TRUCKS that they show on SPIKE TV, Stacey cut the top off an old truck and should see that bracing. that is called being over cautious. let me see if i can locate some pics of that. i
also, if its not rusty and is solid, some people dont even brace. paint the bottom, put it back on the frame and paint it after its on the frame. can align the doors and everything once its on the frame quite easily

 

http://www.everythingmuscle.com/pontiac_gto_restoration.htm
http://www.geocities.com/jalopeno45/71_cuda.html

 

Yeah I see, those two cars were not even braced. Hmm. They looked solid to begin with.