Posted by Josh on Friday, December 26, 2003 at 12:31PM :
I'm trying to figure out...
How I can replace the floor pans without too much disruption of the truck?? I use it as a daily driver (1976 W200 regular cab, adventurer), so... I'm thinking about taking the seat and the interior and gas tank out... then pulling all the hoses and wiring up and out of the way... Then placing jack stands underneath the four mounting points. With a cutting torch remove the offending/ugly pieces of floorpan (one section at a time) from what I can tell it looks like 4 pieces, driver floor, passenger floor, and rear floor under fuel tank, and then there is the cowl that bolts up over the tranny. Then once, all the pieces of floor are replaced. Weld in the new cab corners, and the rocker panels... Once all of that is welded in and looks sturdy and correct. Prime and undercoat inside and out?? Then have new cab mounts and bolt the cab back down to the frame. I would be looking at taking one week of vacation time, and so I would technically speaking have two weekends. So 9 days. My dad has a welder, cutting torch, and a grinder, and an excellent knowledge of steel and the tools...
I know that if I don't replace these pieces they will be rusty again in 5 years and ruin my new paint job. I would prefer that, not be the case. Doors, will be replaced, and put back together with new hardware. Fenders are all 100% repairable and have very minimal rust and dents.
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