Well I FINALLY got brave enough (and off my lazy butt) to replace the floor pans in my project truck. I've just about got the passenger side done. Still have a lot of welding to go. These pics will show those toe board patches that Classic Haulers had fabbed up several several months ago. I ended up cutting pretty much the entire original toe board out on this side (I left a lip for welding). Thought you guys might want to see how it's working out. The driver's side will be another story because the original toe board has a reinforcement piece behind the pedal area, and it's a LOT more complicated with the various holes for the pedals, dimmer switch, etc. But I only need the lower 1 or 2 inches on that side (I might just use sheet metal instead). So here's my work so far. Don't laugh at my rookie welds. All I have is a second-hand flux core wire feed Lincoln (note the vice grips holding the ground clamp in place after the spring broke--quality first, LOL). I used self-tapping sheet metal screws to set up the welds. So far so good, but I am NOT even halfway done, so don't freak out when you see the areas I've missed or haven't cleaned up. Both the toe board and the floor pan have a nice flange that meets at the bottom like the originals. It helps a TON. I was able to get some pretty decent plug welds in there. I worked my butt off getting that toe board to match the floor pan perfectly in the transmission cover area. THEN, I glanced over at the driver's side and realized the factory boys missed it by seemingly 3/8" 62 years ago. LOL








I cut the corner out of it so that the original speedo cable hole remains open.

 

Hey Doc, nice work on the floor panels. I am going to get up the nerve to do the same on my 51 f1, any tips you may have would help. I have to replace the front mount set as well as the cab corners, does anyone have tips for me before I start?

RRHD
RBR1951@gmail.com


Thanks

Ron

 

Nice Job Doc! I have used sheetmetal screws to hold stuff together too, before welding. Works for me! Looks good!
Make sure the front cab mount holes stay where they are supposed to. when I welded patches in my floor, they wanted to pull in from heat. even welding a little at a time. Just a thought.

 

Thanks for the compliment. I am an amateur. I know that I am personally very happy that I don't have to tackle the whole cab mount. I did have to tweak it a llittle. It has a LOT of very complicated welds holding it in.

Jeff, I used the sheet metals screws as anchors and to drill the holes for the plug welds. I removed them one by one as I welded it up.

 

Wow that's how I did it...you got a hidden camera somewhere in my garage? Seriously that's what I did on the '78 Bronco I (sort of) restored. and it was new floor pans also. Cool! I took out one and welded..skipped one, took out the next and welded...and repeat...works just fine!

 

Doc, looks really good

Keep posting pictures as you go.

 

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...lookin' good DOC.......nice job...


Mind if I ask what welder you are using?.......just curious...

Again...great work for such a complicated area......

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Thanks for the compliments. I'm using a cheap Lincoln flux core welder that I bought used 2 or 3 years ago. I forget exactly which one, but I can look tonight if anybody is interested. I'm a rookie with this type of welder. All I ever used before this was a stick welder on my farm equipment, lawnmowers, etc.

 

Hey Doc,

I also have one of those Lincoln welders. I ended up upgrading it with the CO2/Argon gas setup and scrapped the flux core. It is a lot cleaner...I'm not planning to ever use the flux core again.

By the way...that looks really nice!

Dan

 

Nice job Doc. When I weld, I often create more holes than I fill. Guess I need more practice!

Toe boards are lookin' sweet. Keep up the good work.

 

Doc, IMO, your work looks good. If you really get into putting in these patch panels spend a couple three hundred dollars and upgrade to the gas attachment.......All the difference in the world. It took me a few 'burn throughs' till I made the upgrade.

 

I will. I've had 2 or 3 burn throughs, but not like I expected. It helps that the floor pans are a thicker gauge metal than things like the fenders, etc. Honestly, I have the driver's side floor pan and probably a two inch strip at the junction of the driver's side floor pan and toe board and I'm done. I could possibly never use that welder again after that.

I have several front and rear fenders in various states of rust/disrepair that I obtained in various parts purchases and horse trades. IF I get brave enough to attempt repairs on them, I will definitely upgrade to gas. But right now I'm leaning toward fiberglass.

 

Please point out the suspect welds so I can critique them .

 

The toe boards look great Doc! My welding experience is about like your's.

 

I don't weld enough any more to keep in practice . But i use pop rivets to hold things in place then skip around and weld all of it. If it's an area thats going to be finished and painted,i grind out and weld in the rivet spots. But in the floor like that ,i weld all of it and just leave the rivets in place. Then i seal and paint both sides just to keep the rust out a little longer. I use a small Lincoln welder with argon gas,never took me long to get rid of the flux core that came with it.__ P.S.__Those welds look okay to me.