How to inspect the underside and longs without a lift, now the Not another novice project thread Options

[seanpaulmc]

I've just purchased a '73 914 and owned it long enough to ship it to Orlando and take it to go get titled. With only having it for this short period my list of concerns is growing. I have no intentions of driving the car around until I can assess how rusty it is. I appreciate the support and responses to the questions about transportation and engine identification. This is a superb community.

What advice do you have for lifting the car to inspect underneath and such without having access to a lift? I have read some of the build threads on here and you guys have some amazing shops and do incredible work! ...one day. But, at this point I don't have that.

For now I'd like to lift the car, take the wheels off, and take the longitudinal covers off to get a good look at the structural areas of the car. However, I have concerns because this is a snowbelt car and I've read the stories about putting a floor jack through a rusted out car. Where should I lift with the floor jack (trust the jacking points?, other areas) and where should I put the jack stands so that I can poke around some and get pictures?

Merry Christmas!!!

[seanpaulmc]

Well it’s been a while.
Where was I?

Right, a life on jack stands…


The passenger floor - front to back - is in with a new cross brace.
This photo is from before the welding.



Inner firewall patched (hellhole).



Outer firewall patched (hellhole).



Corner triangle replaced (hellhole).




Looks a little better now than when I got it. And, surely a lot stronger.






Now it needs a new engine shelf and some decisions need to be made about where to relocate the battery. I’m fairly certain I won’t put it back in the original location with this now being a Florida. But there’s more to do before I get to that - front of the floor board at the bulkhead, replacement of the door sill, and all the layers to the A-pillar support.





Hope you all enjoy the progress report.

Thanks for looking!

[bajafreaks]

Well it’s been a while.
Where was I?

Right, a life on jack stands…


The passenger floor - front to back - is in with a new cross brace.
This photo is from before the welding.



Inner firewall patched (hellhole).



Outer firewall patched (hellhole).



Corner triangle replaced (hellhole).




Looks a little better now than when I got it. And, surely a lot stronger.






Now it needs a new engine shelf and some decisions need to be made about where to relocate the battery. I’m fairly certain I won’t put it back in the original location with this now being a Florida. But there’s more to do before I get to that - front of the floor board at the bulkhead, replacement of the door sill, and all the layers to the A-pillar support.





Hope you all enjoy the progress report.

Thanks for looking!

Did the replacement passenger floor pan come with the seat rails and brackets already attached/welded in place? If so where did you get the pan? I need to do the same repair including the center support cross brace. Thanks