[1403]

Howdy!

I'm working on replacing the floorboards in my 1972 Commando and I'm contemplating a replacement design that might be overkill and I wanted to know what y'all think.

This is what I've done so far.
- Removed the entire front floorboards.
- Created a mounting flange around the perimeter of the front floorboards with 3/4" angle iron

Now, I am contemplating creating a superstructure for the new sheetmetal to lay down on. It will look like a "Tholian Web" for you old Trekkies out there. The web is composed of strategically placed X's made out of 3/4" angle iron. There would be one under the driver's seat and another under the driver's feet. Repeat this for the passenger side. Then the two sides would be joined with one X between the two seats. The sheet metal then lays down flat ontop of this web. I've attached a tiny sketch of this.


Is this overkill?
Will it survive body flex?

Thanks!
Zeke

 

[090]

Way overkill, but that never stopped me from welding more iron to my rig

 

[GoldToyBox]

Ditto on the "way over kill"

But it's weight down low, helps that center of gravity thing. Too many ribs down there will collect a lot of mud, etc and help the center of gravity thing even more!

I have to do something similar on the rear of my rig, just too many patches in the deck.

 

[2493]

Zeke,, that is the way my Jeepster went from 2500 lbs to 4700 lbs over the years, build it then break it then overkill it!!! Just be careful the weight adds up fast.

If you want to make it even better then add sheet metal to the bottom of the web for some insulating effectiveness, God knows these floorboards get a bit warm. Do that and you might have the "coolest" floors out there.

Aaron

 

[SteveInColorado]

Yeah, I say overkill too, but not bad. I think the biggest drawback would be if the braces trapped moisture and dirt, making the holes come right back (raising your center of gravity back up

), so the sheetmetal on the bottom idea sounds pretty good.
A handy little trick my friend found on some website for welding body panels is to cut your piece, cut the body to match it for butt welding, then weld by not trying to make any beads, skipping around making tacks. If you've ever warped sheet metal , you know it's not pretty. I used to weld a dirt track race car back together every Monday, so I did plenty of body patches. I'd do short welds all around and do ok, but the tack thing works really well and you don't have to worry about getting carried away.
Hope this helps.

 

[1663]

im thinking just loose all the x's and it should stil be plenty strong

 

[1591]

I agree with the overkill statements.

I just got some 16 gauge sheet metal, cut out the rusty parts of the floor, flanged the remaining floor with an air tool and welded the new panels in. The only reinforcement was two pieces of 1 1/2" angle that were placed across the area to provide a place to bolt seats to. Had to notch the angle so it would go over the frame, but the floors are plenty strong now. Once you get the panels in and welded down it should be good.

Brad.

 

[dan01ster]

Even the Tholian Web was not invincible. Live long and Prosper. V

 

[733]

The front floorboards in my Jeepster were cut out and replaced with 1/8th." steel. I used angle iron around the perimeter. My roll bar is welded to the floorboards. Where the seats are bolted down, there is angle iron welded on the underside. I was recently involved in an accident, I pulled out in front of an unseen car. The passenger side of the Jeepster took a hit at about 40 mph. I believe the beefed up floorboards helped give the tub more strength. Not to mention a secure place for the roll bar to attach. On my next Jeepster I plan to at least place some 3-4" channel iron from the driver side to the passenger side, under the seat mounts and the roll bar attachment points. The perimeter will also have angle iron to weld the channel to. My Jeepster was my daily driver and the angle welded below did not catch to much debris. The little bit of extra weight was worth the protection. Good luck

 

[1403]

Thanks Guys for all the replies!

Yeah, I know it's overkill but it sure makes me feel safer knowing that I'm not going to fall through the floor like I almost did before I fixed it. The old floor had detached from the rest of the body at the doorsills and the old seat mounts were like swiss cheeze. Talk about scarey!

And after reading about the T-Bone accident, I feel safer knowing that my new rocker panels (4"x3"x1/8" tubing) will protect me if I get into a similar situation.

Zeke
http://www.fourwheelstampeders.ca/gallery/commando