I am replacing both floor pans (one side at a time) and wondered if the car should be on its suspension or on jack stands. Because I have to replace part of the toe board and front support bracket I would like to pull the front clip off to get better access to everything. But don't know if I should do the floor pans first then remove the front clip and replace the toe board/front support bracket.

Welcome to the board! :D

If it's not a T-Top car... I wouldn't worry much about body misalignment for floor panels. (Quarter and tail panels are much less forgiving.)

Support it with jack stands at the front subframe, near the firewall and rear frame. (6 stands total)
This might be a little overkill but it should stay straight this way.

Check that it's straight and level (doors should open freely) and start cutting.

One side at a time is a wise way to proceed, IMO.


Good Luck!

Yep what Terry said. You can make door braces and bolt them in as overkill like we do but it isn't needed if you suport it correctly.

Thanks for the advise

I need to replace both my floor pans. IT IS A T-TOP........ Twisted Metal in your reply you noted suspending the car with jack stands is OK if it isn't a T-TOP, what if it is? How should I suspend the car before cutting? Do I need braces? Thanks for any advice

Same deal, Chet. I was just pointing out that a hard top car has more structure to it.

Don't chop out both sides at the same time.
All that holds the center of a T-top body together is that narrow strip of steel in the roof, the floor pans and the rocker panels.

If you cut out the entire floor panels... there isn't much left of the structure to keep things squared up.
Braces wouldn't be a bad idea in either scenario but not entirely needed if you don't do all of the cutting at once.

Thanks for the advice. I am a little hesitant to try this. But have read through several threads here and it seems to go well for all that I have seen, so here I go.