charger floor pans

[WickedShelby88]

I was just wondering if NOS floor pans were available in any shape or form for the L body cars. If not what are most of you guys using to patch the floors. I know how much grief guys catch for just using sheet metal in the old muscle cars, but rust free charger floors are hard to find let alone in a car you wouldn't question yourself for cutting out. I've got a sheet of some nice galvanized steel at work I think I may use. Trust me I already know about the fume issue when welding galvanized so I will have that covered in terms of ventilation if this is the route I choose. Any advice?

Thanks, Joseph

[mark]

when I did mine, I used computer cases. I just ground off the edges of the powdercoating where I was going to weld with them... then once done, I covered them with por15 and fibreglass matt. first time using a welder. i like welding, but i sure suck at it...

pics are huge..... 56k beware like the boogyman

before:
http://tdh.2y.net/shelby/07-28-05/100_0441.JPG
http://tdh.2y.net/shelby/07-30-05/100_0458.JPG
http://tdh.2y.net/shelby/09-04-05/100_0506.JPG
http://tdh.2y.net/shelby/09-04-05/100_0501.JPG

after:
http://tdh.2y.net/shelby/09-04-05/100_0509.JPG

ah screw it, more pics at my webdir:
http://tdh.2y.net/shelby

[WickedShelby88]

Can't connect with the server to see them for some reason. The metal I have to work with is much better and thicker than what the factory used. Its probably as thick as a computer case and its already galvanized. Its been sitting against the wall at work for 2 years and still has no surface rust. I think it will work. I also have some 1" square tube I am going to connect the main frame rails to the outer rails with before I put the floors in for rigidity and to keep things from flexing out of alignment. Sounds like I'm in line with what I need to do then and try to forget using a patch from another vehicle as its not going to be near as strong as what I could use.

[Tony Hanna]

In a perfect world somebody would reproduce complete floor pans or at least sections to use for repairs. I guess there isn't the demand as far as our cars are concerned.
In the past, I've always just used regular sheetmetal and shaped it with body hammers and a torch. On the Spirit, I think I may try to cut a rust free section out of a car at the junkyard since they're pretty easy to find.

[WickedShelby88]

+1 on the ease of finding a spirit. Every L I have ever seen in a yard in recent times has floors rotted to hell. I remember finding a feather duster in one in the early 90's that I told my dad he should of snagged up. Was fairly rust free and had a complete interior. DID NOT BELONG THERE! Those had the rare aluminum hood and decklid and I'm not sure what else.

[Clay]

when I repaired the floors in my GLHT I looked for aftermarket and factory replacements.

no one makes them.

Your only options are (a) make your own from flat sheet, or (b) cut some good ones out of another car (ha ha!)

[mark]

link fixed, server made a bad.

[WickedShelby88]

Looks good Mark. Wish you could come out here and help me. You got a way with bending that metal to fit.

[mark]

i used an air shear for cutting, and for bending, I used the 4x4 on the corner of my bench, I kept one corner square, and the other corner rounded for curves, and I just used a rubber mallot to contour/pound it into shape.

it was the first time using my welder and taking on that job.
now.. I just have to finish the charger, or get rid of it :(

[moparman76_69]

If you have access to one, roll some beads down the panel after you get it shaped for extra strength.

[DC Turismo]

Sheet metal from our old washer and dryer :p

[WickedShelby88]

Lol, you guys are the ultimate recyclers. I'm just using a sheet leftover at work thats been sitting in a corner for 2 years. Its galvanized to boot. Have any of you reinforced the frame any while your at it?

[Clay]

ohhhhhhhhh galvanized? Have you ever welded galvanized? NASTY stuff right there! I would avoid that if you can.

[WickedShelby88]

Yeah Clay. My dad already warned me about welding it. I'm just going to tack it in and probably have someone else weld it.

[mark]

yeah, stay away from the galvanized, that stuff doesnt seem to have any structure on it either. go find some computer cases, go dumpster diving. look for an old washer, get an air shear, and booyaa! you got a floor