Installing quarter panels: how level does the floor have to be?

[scherp69]

Originally Posted by evilzee28

The fact that the 1/4 panel's off shouldn't make a great deal of difference. Over the years I've seen people remove 1/4 panels with just the rear end up on jackstands (I've been in the body shop game for over 30 years). The important thing is to have the car with it's weight supported by the wheels or on jackstands under the axle/front suspension when aligning everything & whilst welding takes place as this is how the car would "sit" when back on the ground. If you're really worried just take some measurements across the aperture from side to side but I bet they're almost the same (remember that even new cars can be out a fraction dimensionally & an old car even moreso even if they haven't had bodywork, due to the torsional/lateral stresses imposed due to everyday/hard driving use). hth.

Thanks for your help. The car right now is sitting with the jackstands under the rear housing and under the control arms. This will certainly make the job a lot less stressful trying to make sure it's perfectly level in every which way.