Calling all body work experts!

[electron_waltz]

Hi all! I'm planning out the next steps for my bronco, and could use some advice.

This Bronco was rolled some years ago, and initially I thought all the issues were just on the surface sheet metal. But after getting the new sheet metal on, I've realized I need to replace/rework the core support.

I'm thinking that since it needs new body bushings too, I should replace all of those first. Then mount the new core support and inner fenders. Does that make sense?

I also need to replace the driver and passenger footwells. Any opinions on if I should do these before or after replacing the body bushings?

Pictures attached to show what I'm working with.

Thanks for the help!

 

[U13FL735]

I would want to check the frame first, to be sure that you were building the body on something true. Then the new body bushings. Your parts seem to fit up pretty good as far as I can see in the picture, but I would want to be sure about the frame, from the way the right front corner is crushed down.

 

[Rustytruck]

look at the body mounts and the cross support channels at each location. it is common for those to bent and be sagged. these need to be fixed too before welding floor patches. For me the body mounts would all need to be replaced as part of the process. no sense fixing stuff with 50 year old body mounts.

 

[electron_waltz]

Thank you!

That's kinda what I was thinking, but never dug this deep into body work before, and it kind of scares a guy

So tentative order of operations would then be:

1. Double check that frame is square
2. Replace body bushings (might add 1 inch body lift)
3. Replace foot wells and check supports.
4. Replace/fix core support and hopefully square up the front end