Rear Seat Cross Member & Floor

[madrussian]

So I'm in the process of welding in new floor pans for my Malibu and I realize now that they dont go as far back as I had hoped so the metal under the rear bench needs replaced. Does anyone make a replacement piece for this part? I was thinking of running the Scott Rod Fab rear seat delete if not.

Lastly, it's a drag car, so there will never be a bench back in it, is there any issues if I remove and dont run the rear seat cross member bracket?

 

[oldtinsmith]

Are these what you're looking for?
https://www.opgi.com/searchpart.asp...ar=1980&keyword=floor+pan+brace+steel+(front)

Doug

 

[madrussian]

Doug,

That's the brace, but I'm actually looking for the sheet metal portion of it.

As far as those braces you posted though, is there anything wrong with removing them (mine's rotted on both ends in the rear) if I'm not planning on running stock seats? I'm going to be running a cage w/ Kirkey's up front.

I didn't know if they only served for supporting/mounting seats or if they actually are needed to hold the body together?

 

[EME_Mack]

The ends of the brace under the floor are the body mounts so you would need to replace the brace, weld new ends on or fabricate something since it holds the car down. The seat delete kit looks as if it just covers up the rear seat area rather then replace it. If your not putting seats back in the rear you could just use some flat sheet metal to fill the area

 

[L.A.X-RATED]

calling rwktpwrd????? lets shed some light on this por favor🙂

 

[Rktpwrd]

calling rwktpwrd????? lets shed some light on this por favor🙂

Hahaha, I'm here, L.A.X-RATED!

I highly doubt he'd want to go thru all the hassle and headache of building a complicated rear firewall as I undertook, but thanks for the nod.

EME_Mack has it right, the floor brace needs to be there to maintain structural strength and integrity as it ties into the two body mounts in that area.

It's entirely up to the owner as to how he wants to finish it out (or not), however if the battery is going to be relocated to the trunk, a sealed rear firewall is necessary to pass tech at the track. (It also helps to keep tire smoke from your burnouts to a minimum inside the cabin).

If the OP has any questions for me, I'd be happy to help any way I can.