The Ford Barn

Woodie1 · 01-24-2019, 07:02 PM

We have a 1939 that needs new rockers & floor pans. I'm aware of the bracing needed inside the body but I was wondering if anyone has tried to do the work with the car on the frame bolted down. If so, did it work out or was it more of a pain than it was worth.

Don W/Norfolk · 01-24-2019, 07:24 PM

I replaced both front pans in my '40 sedan with the body on the frame. Didn't have any more than the usual trouble. Used Bradley sheet metal and it fit very well. Did one side at a time and left the tunnel in place.
dw

melisahe · 01-24-2019, 07:31 PM

Did my 38 coupe on the frame, found it easier to keep it straight. Left the trans hump in place.

Woodie1 · 01-24-2019, 09:47 PM

I figured to use the original trans hump as well since the new one doesn't have the same size as the old one.

Tinker · 01-24-2019, 10:00 PM

I did some small patches on my 36 on frame. 1"x1" on the rockers and the whole front passage side floor. No issues. You won't be able to grind the floor welds underside smooth, just have to treat it for rust.

Woodie1 · 01-25-2019, 10:01 AM

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Don W, When you replaced the rockers, did you do the whole part up under the cowl or just pieces in the door opening?

Don W/Norfolk · 01-25-2019, 10:34 AM

Didn't do rockers, just front floor pans.
I would think you might want to do each repair separately and remove only one piece at a time so as to maintain as much rigidity as possible. Just speculating, though. dw

deuce lover · 01-25-2019, 12:05 PM

Years ago I did a '35 roadster (entire)floors and rockers- on the frame and on the frame I used.Started at the cowl and worked our way back.Replaced the butchered firewall to begin with.To me that was the only way to do it.

Woodie1 · 01-25-2019, 12:51 PM

deuce lover, These are the type of comments I'm looking for. It sounds like it can be doable versus having the body off the frame. Seems like I'd be better able to keep this aligned.

FortyNiner · 01-25-2019, 12:53 PM

Replaced the rockers and pieces of the floor in a 46 Tudor on the frame. Since most of the pan was still attached, there didn't seem to be any alignment issues before or after. Hauling the car - and strapping it to the trailer - will put more stress on things than the metal work. Remember, there's a reason the rockers need to be replaced as they had long lost their battle with rust.

deuce5wndw · 01-25-2019, 01:08 PM

I would make sure I had the doors fitting nice before I started so I would have something to check as the project goes along.

Woodie1 · 01-25-2019, 05:48 PM

Door fit would be on the priority list for sure.

01-24-2019, 07:02 PM	#1
Woodie1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: W. Mich. Posts: 471	floor pans We have a 1939 that needs new rockers & floor pans. I'm aware of the bracing needed inside the body but I was wondering if anyone has tried to do the work with the car on the frame bolted down. If so, did it work out or was it more of a pain than it was worth.

01-24-2019, 07:24 PM	#2
Don W/Norfolk Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 127	Re: floor pans I replaced both front pans in my '40 sedan with the body on the frame. Didn't have any more than the usual trouble. Used Bradley sheet metal and it fit very well. Did one side at a time and left the tunnel in place. dw __________________ I love this country; it's the damn idiots running the government I'm afraid of.

01-24-2019, 07:31 PM	#3
melisahe Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: new orleans Posts: 251	Re: floor pans Did my 38 coupe on the frame, found it easier to keep it straight. Left the trans hump in place.

01-24-2019, 09:47 PM	#4
Woodie1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: W. Mich. Posts: 471	Re: floor pans I figured to use the original trans hump as well since the new one doesn't have the same size as the old one.

01-24-2019, 10:00 PM	#5
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: floor pans I did some small patches on my 36 on frame. 1"x1" on the rockers and the whole front passage side floor. No issues. You won't be able to grind the floor welds underside smooth, just have to treat it for rust.

01-25-2019, 10:01 AM	#6
Woodie1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: W. Mich. Posts: 471	Re: floor pans Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Don W, When you replaced the rockers, did you do the whole part up under the cowl or just pieces in the door opening?

01-25-2019, 10:34 AM	#7
Don W/Norfolk Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 127	Re: floor pans Didn't do rockers, just front floor pans. I would think you might want to do each repair separately and remove only one piece at a time so as to maintain as much rigidity as possible. Just speculating, though. dw __________________ I love this country; it's the damn idiots running the government I'm afraid of.

01-25-2019, 12:05 PM	#8
deuce lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern France Posts: 5,301	Re: floor pans Years ago I did a '35 roadster (entire)floors and rockers- on the frame and on the frame I used.Started at the cowl and worked our way back.Replaced the butchered firewall to begin with.To me that was the only way to do it.

01-25-2019, 12:51 PM	#9
Woodie1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: W. Mich. Posts: 471	Re: floor pans deuce lover, These are the type of comments I'm looking for. It sounds like it can be doable versus having the body off the frame. Seems like I'd be better able to keep this aligned.

01-25-2019, 12:53 PM	#10
FortyNiner Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: u-rah-rah-Wisconsin Posts: 1,136	Re: floor pans Replaced the rockers and pieces of the floor in a 46 Tudor on the frame. Since most of the pan was still attached, there didn't seem to be any alignment issues before or after. Hauling the car - and strapping it to the trailer - will put more stress on things than the metal work. Remember, there's a reason the rockers need to be replaced as they had long lost their battle with rust. __________________ 19 and 49 F1 - jes' like Henry II built 1946 Deluxe - as Henry built it

01-25-2019, 01:08 PM	#11
deuce5wndw Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Liberty, KY Posts: 899	Re: floor pans I would make sure I had the doors fitting nice before I started so I would have something to check as the project goes along.

01-25-2019, 05:48 PM	#12
Woodie1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: W. Mich. Posts: 471	Re: floor pans Door fit would be on the priority list for sure.

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