FYI FORD MustangSteve's Ford Mustang Forum / Question for the people that know about frames.

**Posted by Mochaman** 11/22/2024 6:31 PM

Do the front frames rails run parallel to the rocker panels on the floor pan? Still trying to get the front clip of Anna's convertible set up right before I start tac welding.

**Posted by Ron68** 11/22/2024 6:51 PM

In the late 1800's in northern Washington, a map maker was riding through the mountains when he came upon a prospector working at the edge of a creek. He asked the prospector if there was any gold in that creek. His answer became the name of the creek on the map makers map. Damfino. (it's a real place - Google it) :-)

**Posted by BobE** 11/23/2024 7:19 AM

Ron68 wrote:
In the late 1800's in northern Washington, a map maker was riding through the mountains when he came upon a prospector working at the edge of a creek. He asked the prospector if there was any gold in that creek. His answer became the name of the creek on the map makers map. Damfino. (it's a real place - Google it) :-)

LOL That's agreat response however, I doubt it helps Mochaman

**Posted by MAW** 11/23/2024 7:38 AM

I know that there is a mechanical drawing of the entire bottom of the car. It shows the measurements of all of the mounting holes and everything you would need to put the entire bottom together. I'm not at home so can't access my drawing but surely someone on here would have that also. From this drawing you could literally make a jig to set up how the bottom would go together. I'm going home for Christmas. If no one on here has a copy I could send it to you then.

**Posted by Bullet Bob** 11/23/2024 7:41 AM

Maybe, Ed, you could get your FB on the lift and use a laser level to shoot to the wall or a flat target in front of the car from the front rails and the rockers. Measure between the dots on the wall and compare to the space between the rails and rockers back by the firewall.
Yeah, I know this sounds goofy and prolly makes no sense, butt (TS&T) it's the only think that came to mind this early. Sorry.

BB

**Posted by John Ha** 11/23/2024 9:04 AM

I have this - don't know if it helps you.

**Posted by TKOPerformance** 11/23/2024 2:17 PM

Based on the drawing John provided I would have to say no. If you look at the measurements at the front and rear of the front frame rail centerlines its the same front and rear, but if you look at the floor flange measurements front and rear they are different. I believe the floor flanges are what the outer rocker skins are spot welded to (the pinch weld). If I were going to replace a front frame rail I would either build a jog using those dimensions, or you could probably create a centerline centered on the rear frame rails and locate the front frame rails accordingly using the measurements on John's drawing. You could locate everything with levels and plumb bobs, but it would be more time consuming I think. I did this when adding a Maximum Motorsports panhard rod to the rear of my '89 GT to ensure everything was centered properly. It took me a couple hours to get it right, and that was just with two reference points. I think a jig is the way to go.

**Posted by 6sally6** 11/23/2024 4:02 PM

Couldn't you take the 16 1/16" measurement on each of the rear rails and use that as the 'bottom leg' of your measurement
and
the 24 3/4" (I think) measurement on each of the front rails and use that as the 'top leg' of your measurement
and get your rocker panels parallel that way ?
(according to the drawings^^)
6sal6

**Posted by True74yamaha** 11/23/2024 6:44 PM

https://stangnet.com/mustang-forums/threads/65-coupe-dimensions.861970/

**Posted by TKOPerformance** 11/24/2024 6:44 AM

6sally6 wrote:
Couldn't you take the 16 1/16" measurement on each of the rear rails and use that as the 'bottom leg' of your measurement
and
the 24 3/4" (I think) measurement on each of the front rails and use that as the 'top leg' of your measurement
and get your rocker panels parallel that way ?
(according to the drawings^^)
6sal6

It doesn't ,look like the rockers are parallel. The front measurement mounting flange to mounting flange flange is 54-3/4 and its 55-1/2 at the rear. The rockers seem to toe in 3/8" per side towards the center line. Personally, I would not align frame rails based on bodywork anyway. There's too much that can be tweaked or wavy in a mounting flange. I would only use the locating points for the frame rails because the heavier gauge steel is going to be less prone to error. If you start with a straight center line and ensure all your measurements are the same from center and square to the center line, that will be the most accurate. If you need parallel lines off that center line its as simple as just measuring an equal distance at the front and rear of the center line and laying down a parallel line. You can also always double check square with a 3,4,5 triangle, or any multiple thereof (i.e. 6,8,10 or 12,16,20). Squares can be hard to use when the length of the lines are a lot longer than the square itself, but Pythagorus doesn't lie.

**Posted by rpm** 11/24/2024 5:19 PM

I'd wager a donut that the rockers are parallel.

**Posted by Mochaman** 11/24/2024 8:48 PM

John Ha this does help. I am using a framing jig that Mustang Steve built for another project. I am mostly there I just want to make sure before start welding. It just looks slightly off where the front meets up with the firewall. I need to attach the convertible top and make sure with it opens it meets up with the top of the windshield.

**Posted by TKOPerformance** 11/25/2024 6:07 AM

rpm wrote:
I'd wager a donut that the rockers are parallel.

Different years on the two drawings. Not sure why the change, but possibly the rocker skin for the earlier cars was made on an angle to account for the angled floor flange, leaving rockers on the actual body of the car parallel. The difference on the early drawing is only 3/8" per side, which if you weren't looking for it is probably too small a difference to notice. Honestly though I don't care if they are parallel or not I still wouldn't use them as a reference point. Baring a really bad wreck I would have much more confidence that the frame rails in the car are true than the bodywork.

**Posted by RTM** 11/25/2024 7:08 AM

On my 66 coupe the rockers inside measurement matched the above drawing. You can also see in the drawing the front frame rail center line is 30" front and back of the front rails. A simple centerline would be the best way to set the front measurements.

**Posted by TKOPerformance** 11/25/2024 3:35 PM

RTM wrote:
On my 66 coupe the rockers inside measurement matched the above drawing. You can also see in the drawing the front frame rail center line is 30" front and back of the front rails. A simple centerline would be the best way to set the front measurements.

From what I've seen the floor pans from '65-'68 are supposed to be the same, but they change in '69. Possibly depending on when that changeover occurred a '68 would be built with the '69 pan, or possibly the first drawing was just wrong, I've no idea. As you say, I would use a center line method to true the frame rails anyway.