Author Topic: Goodmark trunkpan + AMD braces = BAD IDEA!!! (Read 9275 times)

Moparinho · « **Reply #15 on:** December 02, 2010 - 04:38:37 PM »

clamp the brace and tighten it strong to the trunk pan. Then tack weld. I had the same issue but the brace can be easly bended to fit trunk pan profile.

Sean · « **Reply #16 on:** December 02, 2010 - 07:56:55 PM »

Quote from: Moparinho on December 02, 2010 - 04:38:37 PM

clamp the brace and tighten it strong to the trunk pan. Then tack weld. I had the same issue but the brace can be easly bended to fit trunk pan profile.

When you did that, did it bend the trunk pan at all? Did you do it with the trunk pan already welded in place?

Thanks!
Sean

Moparinho · « **Reply #17 on:** December 04, 2010 - 03:26:04 PM »

I did it before welding in place the trunk pan. I guess that with the trunk pan in place you don't have enough room to use a clamp. When I did it, I probably bended a little bit also the trunk pan, but nothing that affects sizes or geometries. The most important thing is that you weld the braces when they have reached a perfect fit with the trunk pan.

If you want more strenght, you can weld the braces with a continuous beed instead of traditional spot welds. At the end of the day you will have the welding job mostly hidden by the gas tank.

Sean · « **Reply #18 on:** December 05, 2010 - 06:11:08 PM »

Cool, thanks for the follow-up! I wasn't sure if I clamped and welded the braces in before the pan was welded in if it would make the trunk pan bend out of shape.

Sean

lahatte · « **Reply #19 on:** January 03, 2011 - 06:44:26 PM »

Sean, Nice animal spot on your cuda door.

CHL2T · « **Reply #20 on:** January 06, 2011 - 02:01:13 PM »

Quote from: lahatte on January 03, 2011 - 06:44:26 PM

Sean, Nice animal spot on your cuda door.

LOL
It looks like a cave drawing of a deer or something

jimynick · « **Reply #21 on:** January 06, 2011 - 10:04:20 PM »

Sean, at the risk of putting my 2 cents worth in as an old bodyman, if the floor fits the rails well and meets the rear x-member tying them together as well, then modify the braces and not the floor. Remember that theres more going on the floor than them; like the floor extensions and DON'T weld anything until you've got them where you like them. Vice grips are cheap and will save your sanity when you begin to chase fitment/gaps. I'll be doing the same thing in a couple of weeks and I'll take some photos. Remember that the line guys building these cars weren't exactly craftsmen. I personally measured a trunk floor/extension fitment that was 5/8-3/4' out vertically on my own car and have the photos to prove it. Body sealer was cheap and quick and that was on a new car in the day. Take your time, you'll get it. Good luck!

jimynick · « **Reply #22 on:** January 07, 2011 - 04:36:31 PM »

Here's what mine looked like. They're decently tight to the floor. hope this helps!

HemiDog · « **Reply #23 on:** January 07, 2011 - 05:40:16 PM »

Another trick is to screw the pieces together with self tapping metal screws, weld, then remove the screws and weld up the holes left by the screws. Works great where you can't get clamps, but is a bit more work to clean up.

Sean · « **Reply #24 on:** April 10, 2011 - 01:12:18 AM »

Hey Guys,
Thanks for the info and tips to get the braces to work. Sorry for not replying earlier, but it's been months since I've had a chance to work on the Cuda.

Sean

challengerminded · « **Reply #25 on:** April 10, 2011 - 08:39:45 AM »

Well here is yet another opinion...I also bought a Goodmark trunk floor and AMD braces. I did not alter the braces. In my mind they are the frame, and so the floor pan needs to follow them. I'm pretty sure I lined them up with the originals, and the curve matched. I was fortunate to have a two piece trunk, so I was able to use clamps.
Good Luck.

challengerminded · « **Reply #26 on:** April 10, 2011 - 08:51:06 AM »

I almost forgot the most important function is to support the gas tank. So make sure you lay the tank on the supports to check that it fits in the grooves of the tank before you weld them on. This would be another reason not to alter the braces.

572b1cuda · « **Reply #27 on:** April 10, 2011 - 11:23:45 AM »

sean if it was my car i would use the original braces if i could as long as they're not rotted, even if they look a little ugly they will be covered by the gas tank. since the goodmark trunk floors fit good in your car and the factory braces fit the trunk pan there is obviously a problem with the amd braces. maybe its just me but the amd parts all seem to be a nightmare. i have been reading all of the threads on here and other places as well and there are fitment problem with all of their stuff, the quarters ,trunk extensions, wheel houses, and who knows about the fenders. i know all aftermarket repro stuff is not perfect but when a company promotes their parts as the best in quality and have a huge price tag but it doesn't fit any better then the other companies parts and in some cases fit worse i just cant bring myself to buy anything they make and i am not a parts dealer so i am not bashing the amd parts because i sell some other brand i just dont like when someone tries to use the jedi mind trick on me "these parts are good,you must buy them!" no i dont.

Sean · « **Reply #28 on:** April 10, 2011 - 11:02:52 PM »

Challengerminded,
Thanks for the pics! I have a one piece trunk so clamping would be difficult. And yes, will be using the gas tank to make sure I've got them spaced correctly.

572b1cuda,
Rings loud and clear!!!

Cheers!
Sean

Topcat · « **Reply #29 on:** April 11, 2011 - 12:26:10 AM »

Quote from: 572b1cuda on April 10, 2011 - 11:23:45 AM

but when a company promotes their parts as the best in quality and have a huge price tag but it doesn't fit any better then the other companies parts and in some cases fit worse i just cant bring myself to buy anything they make and i am not a parts dealer so i am not bashing the amd parts because i sell some other brand i just dont like when someone tries to use the jedi mind trick on me "these parts are good,you must buy them!" no i dont.

Saw a Chevelle a guy was hanging a qtr. on. Was as bad as I dealt with on mine.

Sean, get used to this.

The Taiwanese aren't musclecar enthusiasts. They are told to: "Just copy this part as best as you can and we'll sell it then pay you."

Make slits along the sides, bend accordindly to fit floor, take off, weld up slits. Grind work welds off.
That's all you can do these days with reproduction sheetmetal being made.