['83 s130 floor pan patchwork....eff oxidation!]

killer. thats what i had in my head. doing the solid weld i think would hold a lot better due to the suspension. the rug is still in really good shape, no holes or anything. so i was just gonna clean it up really good and maybe dye it back to the factory, or black....dunno. thanks for the tips mag. back to work!!

['83 s130 floor pan patchwork....eff oxidation!]

 

hi all! its been quite some time since I've posted anything on here, but I figure I'd start back with some fun stuff. I've had my '83 for a DD for around 4 or 5 years. small troubles here and there, well....redoing the timing wasn't that small, but we got it done. anywho....onward with this next project!!!!

after driving the car in all weather and having those damn leaky T-tops, the floors were starting to go. my father and I do hvac work, so there's plenty of scrap and welders to use. time to get some work done!!

starting out, remove the interior.

she was dirty in there. after removal of the carpet I find this:

the sub-frame brackets were completely free. the rust just flaked off when I touched it. the passenger side was worse. after making the assessment, I started looking for methods to remove the tar sound insulation. I tried the dry ice trick, but didn't have much luck with it. so I went in the opposite direction with a heat gun and scraper. it did leave some residue, but goof-off and elbow grease took care of that.

here's the floor at the front of the drivers side

blah!

during the prep work of cutting and wire brushing, I used a rust inhibitor\converter made by purple power. it's ok for holding back the rust until I get into the home stretch.

making some cuts. cut out the same on each side.

the middle of the pan is still in good shape. if it aint broke......

found some 18ga galvanized and started making some replacement patches. wanted heavier metal since the pans attach to pieces of suspension and they will be taking some bumps. 

and there's where I kinda messed up. the sub-frame brackets where bent\compressed due to using them as jacking points in the past. so in hind sight, I didn't need to fab up that hat channel (didn't realize this until I had spotted in the drivers side and started working on the passenger's.....go figure). after taking the brackets to the bench vise and doing some beating with a dolly, I got everything straight, and I cut out a patch piece for my patch piece, lol.

there we go.

and here's the passenger side, nice and flush

and that's all I have done so far. pretty good for a few days work after work. now just to make some patches for the front, get everything sealed, paint, and throw her back together.

what do yous guys think? this is my first go at cutting and welding on a car and I could use tips, insight, criticisms......

thanks for taking the time to read and see what I'm getting into. will post more as she goes on this weekend!