Heater channel removal

[san diego baja]

Has anyone removed their heater channels in order to have more room for a roll cage ? I know the heater channels can be separated but I believe they are part of supporting the body, correct me if I'm wrong . I was considering taking a cutoff wheel to the interior portions of the channel and open it up so that I have some more foot room in my baja
Pictures and details would be appreciated from anyone who has done this before

[dustymojave]

Typical construction method for Class 5 open race cars with tube frames and steel bodies (such as Crumco) is to cut the inboard side of the heater channels and fit the channels over the lower frame tube, then weld them in place.

[bikesndbugs]

thats smart seems like it would be extremely out of the way