FJ55 Pig Body Flex Issues

Apologize for the 2nd post on this, but my first was dug inside my build thread and I need some advice on the topic below, thanks.
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so here is where I need some advice. This is the first type of rust repair that I have done to this extent. I have read a ton and think I can weld in patch panels no problem but when looking at this I got nervous about body flex.

The situation: what I would like to do is to pull the panel as I have outlined it in the 2nd pic. The red are the cuts I will make on the crossmembers and the yellow is the whole piece that will hopefully come out in one piece. Once I cut the cmembers and drill out the spot welds that piece should come off and I will be able to really get at that interior rocker to do rust repair and coat in some good paint.

The problem: I have read before about body flex. I am worried that if I take off this much metal that the body will flex and I will have problems realigning body panels, doors and such. Is this concern warranted? or should I not worry about it? Looking for opinion from the gurus here whom have some good body work/rust repair experience. I plan to first strip down the lower portion of the body so I know what I am working with and then go one section at a time around the vehicle, patch panel, paint etc., so there will probably be only this panel off on it's own, not both sides or other panels at the same time. I am thinking that if I go one section at a time it will help the body stay stable and not flex at all. Any opinions, comments on if I need to brace this area or not are appreciated and where I would brace it cuz I can't see a place to do it.

is it possible not to cut the three supports, but cut off the thinner flat rusting metal, the supports do not look all that bad to me?
<img src="http://www.thelandcruiser.com/sy/mud/attachment.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="480" align="left">

it is hard to see in this pic, but the lower supports need to be redone for sure, i think this is the only place I can really cut and be able to reweld as there is a space behind that curve.

I would lap weld over those supports, for re-enforcement. I wouldnt suggest cutting them out. Just cut the spot welds and replace the sheet metal as needed. Since it looks like you have the interriour ripped out I would also cross brace the cab as much as you can that will avoid warping also.

can you explain what you mean by "lap weld"? the bottom of those braces where they meet the flat sheet are shot, rusted out, I need to pull those braces and recreate them for sure.

lap weld mean the material overlaps instead of a butt weld where they are butted together.....


well, heres what i did and dont have anymore body flex than stock, take it and make your own decision. i replaced my stock rockers with a 4x2 rocker (slider) its not attached to the frame but rather all body. i have the two big support ribs under the A and C pillar welded to it and the whole body under the doors (sill?) is welded to it, the two small ribs are not connected to anything but the bottom of the body to retain the floor support between frame rails. i assume the rocker replacement i have is taking the load span between the two big ribs just fine and thats why i dont have much if any flex. so, theres something to read anyway.

thanks Rhino, depending on how things look once I get all that bondo and s*** outta there, I may do the same, we will see. got any pics??

Can you get a side pic (90deg to the last one) It looks like the truck is on its side or a rotissary?? I can try to paint-chop what I am talking about.

yes it is on a rotisserie