This is how we "channel" a car. Usually we can channel a car 3 inches over the frame and only loose an inch of floor space. This tech basically aplies to earlier cars that run a 2" by whatever hieght frame. I'm not sure you could do this with 40's cars. This car has a homemade 2"x4" frame. We started with 1/8" thick,3" square tubing and split it down the middle to make our channel. You could also use channel iron but it would be heavier. A 1/8" thick, 2 1/2" could also be used but would be REAL tight after you paint your frame. The split tubing was cut to length to fit on top of the framerail. we also fit it to the kick up in the back and welded these peices together. The channel was left a little long and will be trimmed after everything is in place The first pic shows how the channel fits over the frame and a little bit that needs to be trimmed off. You will also have to notch the channel at any crossmembers or anything that sticks out on the top edge of the frame. Then holes were drilled through the channel and the frame. Since our frame is tubing nuts were welded in and the channel was bolted down. You can see the channel is bolted down and a notch in the second pic. With the body braced and the old floor cut out we set the body on. The body was braced so the bottom of the body was one inch above the bottom of the frame. We then squared the body on the frame. We started by welding the firewall to the channel at the front. Then went to the very back and tied the body to the channel with 1"x2" tubing. We kept the tubing flush with the top of the channel. Each time a new brace was added we would check to make dure the body was even side to side. We added braces at every door post or major body brace. These braces were then tied together by 1"x2" tubing. The third pic shows the brace at the "B" pillar on this 4 door sedan. The last pic shows an overall of how the floor bracing looks. After the ****** and rear are in we can start adding braces to the center and put the floor in over the bracing. I know it only saves an inch over just putting the tubing on top of the frame but evry inch counts on a small car. Clark
Using your method, how many places is the body bolted down? Is there any rubber between the channel and the frame? ...or is it bolted down solid? This could be a neat solution to a situation I have.
Flipper ...you can put as many bolts in as you want. I would suggest putting one at the firewall, one at the front edge of the door, one at the back edge of the door and one at the very back. If you have a 4 door, put one between the doors. Doing it this way will help if you need to shim the body at a later time. There is no rubber between the channel and the frame. I've done a couple of cars like this with no problems. If you're afraid of squeeking just put some silcone down before insalling the body for the last time. Clark
Thats great, I am about to post asking for steel out pics, I've channelled myy 22 dodge 6 inchs. The channelling tips will come in handy
Thats a real sanitary way to do it if you're not using the original floor.........probably a good reason not to use the original floor!! Great tech, lotsa guys can make use of that idea!
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