Thread: Cutting the body up!!!

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Well Guy's; I finally started cutting up the body on my 65 Ranchero.
I cut most of the engine sides compartment out.
I left the top 1 inch all the way around the engine compartment to save
car's vin numbers and to keep radeator and headlight support intact.
I do need some advise about cutting out the fire wall and floor board.
Should I weld brases acrossed the fire wall and floor board to keep the body from warping or would it be ok to just cut them out.
Too tell the truth most of the drivers side floor is already gone due to it rusting thru. Some of the fire wall is rust thru too and also has some long cracks in it. All this stuff had to be cut anyway to put it on it's new frame.
Whats the norm here to brase it or not, Thanks Kurt.

Better put in some braces Kurt... Sure isn't any fun when the body moves around after you cut it!!

Thanks Dave ; Kurt

it should be a crime to post a topic like this without pics!

Hey Firebird; I've been taking pictures of the progress.
I have not posted a photo since they changed the way you post a photo some time ago.
I've been so busy that I have not taken the time to learn how to post a photo the new way. I've gotten more done in the last day then in the last 6 months.
But this is one of those deals were you take one step forward and two steps back.
Today I finished removing the interior, factory A/C and heat core, all the wirring, switches pedals, dash gages, wiper motor with all the hard ware.
This is were I found that the metal duct under the dash against the fire wall needs to be re-done since there are holes rusted thru it. This is the duct used for the air vents, and the wiper motor and arms attach to this duct under the dash on the inside of the car.
Now I have to cut the metal dash out to get to it. ( OH FUN FUN. )
Tomarrow I'm gonna take Dave Seversons advise and weld some supports acrossed the inside of the cab, then jack up the rear end and snatch the rear end and tank out, take the doors off and start cutting again. I'm gonna have to go in to det just to pay for all the sheet metal this thing is going to take. I will be taking lots of photo's so you guys can share in my build progress, after I get this photo thing figured out again. Kurt

Hey Guys; I had posted this on Itoldyouso's thread, But figured I'd move it over here to show some of my progress along with some of my pains!!!

I took a cutting torch to the front of my 65 Ranchero yesterday,after raising the front end up in the air on blocks. Left the top 1 inch down the sides to save the radiator and
head light supports. I couldn't figure out why the thing was not dropping to the ground after cutting all the way thru both sides of the frame. So I reached out and grabbed the
radiator and head light support and pulled out on it. It was then that the frame, old suspension and sheet metal reached out and grabbed my little finger. At this point some tearing or tarring was involved, so I thru my head forward to see just what was happening. Now it was at this point that my nose came in to contact with the same radiator and head light support. and thats how I got the big gash on the bridge of my nose. It was at this point that I found out why the front end was not dropping down like it should. It just needed a little blood to lubricate it. ( DANG IT!!! ) HE! HE! HE! Kurt