You can do it with a pit also, you don't always need a lift.
Absolutely remove the full interior (carpets, seats, center console).
If the welder can't seem to get good heat penetration, pause it, heat the intended weld spot on the chassis with a propane torch for about 15 seconds, then try again. We had this problem on my convertible 96 when SFCs were getting welded in. The frame rails are kind of thick beneath the car and may need a little persuasion to accept a weld. A strong weld that is. They may not be the cleanest welds, but they are strong AF booger welds.