sheetmetal question

[Sadist]

Hey all!
I'm ripping into my 71 Jimmy adventure in rust repair!
I have the bulk of structural / floor sheetmetal stuff on hand. I gotta go right to the rockerbox I guess the deal is to start with the floors, then the rockerboxes, then the rockers...

so i'm starting with the front floor.

My floor sheet metal is good just above the "seam", and my patch panels go WAY above.. should i try to retain the seam, or just butweld above the seam? I also have the replacement kick panels, I figure i need to get those in before the floors... right?

i figure folks have been down this road...

Thanks!