I know this is a topic that's been beat to death, but I've read hundreds of threads and have one question. Most people say Tabco is the way to go for body panels. However, all the photos I've seen of their Ford floors have gross looking folds, wrinkles, overlapping creases, etc. Versus some of the "low quality" floors like LMC or whoever that have perfect curves and angles that look factory and not homemade. What do you actually get when you order Tabco floors?

 

Somewhere in my build thread I have pictures of my tabco panels. Yes I had a wrinkle at the top of one curve and I had the ugly fold over flap on the driver floor board. I also called Tabco to ask why they did that... and boy was that the wrong thing to do. You'd've thought I slapped his momma. Long story short he does things the "right" way and every one else is cheap. (His words not mine). Ultimately I am happy I used them though. They are original thickness and thats definitely an area I do NOT want cheap flimsy metal. Also I cut off the wrinkle area as I didnt need to replace that section so that was not a problem. The overlap fold, I just cut the excess off and welded up the seam. All in all a small amount of effort to make them look like original AND you get the true thickness... worth it to me. Ill see if I can find my photos and link them.

Edit
first picture is the in question parts of the tabco panels. Yellow circles I cut off because I didnt need to replace those parts. Purple circle is the one I delt with. Again cut off the overhang part and just weld up the crack thats left. This link takes you to me installing the driver side patch panel. . Passenger side, I cannot find a full photo for, but it had zero overlaps and I think MAYBE one wrinkle at the top left of the footwell.

 

You only get what you see. The others sound perfect. Try one of them out. I cant say that I have tried any of the ones you were referring to. I did use the tabco floors and had no issues but I did not use the full pans. So, I did not have to hammer the crap out of everything. Make a choice and weld them in. I doubt any of them would just drop in. This is the only picture I have from before cutting to fit.



Mine were for my 72 though. As far as the cuts in them, once the angles are fit. You would make a cut and weld it.

 

Honestly... my "made in China to the USA" floor pans look better than those. Plenty thick and better quality imo. 90 bucks off Amazon.

Just sayin.

 

Tabco is only $44 for each panel and I had free shipping when I purchased from them. Id rather support a local company that makes their product in the USA vs china... just sayin

 

Made in the USA and stamped/ molded (poorly at that) in the USA are completely different things. Your still supporting a Chinese steel mill...
Still sayin

 

I’ve never order from them, but Ray Buck seems like good stuff. Apparently USA made.

https://raybuck.com/product/1967-79-...r-driver-side/

 

Pretty much impossible to not use a chinese steel mill in this day and age. I at least bought from a company that is owned and operated in Ohio. Helping to feed families in Ohio. Its not a big deal to me where anyone else on here gets their parts, just explaining why I purchased from Tabco. I had zero fitment issues with mine and I saw no issues with how they looked, especially when in my truck. If youre happy and Im happy then we both should be happy lol. Now the OP just needs to make the decision on where he wants to be happy from.

 

What I'd like to do is find a place that sells pans that are made well and have appropriate gauge steel. Getting more information has been difficult for me. Tabco is recommended but their stamping quality looks bad and being American doesn't seal the deal for me. Nearly every other company out there like DC/LMC/JBG/etc either sells wonderful USA parts that work great or terrible import garbage depending on who's talking a given day.

Of course a third option is just redneck it and make a new floor out of old PC case panel I was going to scrap.

 

Do you need to replace the ENTIRE floor plan? If not I would still consider tabco. Like I mentioned, all of the problem areas on my tabco panels got cut off because I didnt need the entire tub. If you need the entire tub, I think youll find issue with pretty much everyones panels so just buy from one and make it work.

 

All I know is Tabco is stout :Hardcor.....They are what Flash Back 100 sells as well. Floor pan and Cab Corner all Tabco no regrets,,,,Do it all over again. Germany also has steel plants ,so does India,and Russia,,ask me how I know , because all three owned Bethlehem Steel at one time. Within 20 years of the extinction

 

I just bought some from Mill Supply and am just at the dry fit stage and they look great, no creases. I am sure they are from the same source as any other supplier. Will try and take a couple pictures.