Floor replacement question

[tomford]

Hey guys,
Quick question, where’s the best place to get replacement floorpans? I need to replace the section under my drivers seat, as it’s all cracked to Hell. I’m guessing it’s a common problem.

Thanks
Tom

 

[tRustyK5]

www.lmctruck.com

Order a catalog, or order online.

Almost all the replacement sheet metal for our trucks is made at one place in China...then re branded endlessly as it's sold and distributed here in North America. Find a price you can live with and order away.

 

[6872xtc]

I don't see if you posted what you are working on, but I assume that it's a K5. I say this as I don't remember seeing a cracked floor in a truck. With this in mind, I would only replace the floor if it's rusted a fair amount and cracked. Just cracks, I would grind them out some, weld them up and then reinforce the floor. The reason that I say this is due to my experience with the replacement panels going into my son's '72 truck. I feel that only original GM replacement panels fit well, the made in China stuff can be a small challenge, on up to a horrible fitment.
I believe that the reason that the K5 floors break is because they weren't designed to be around for the years of flexing that they get. And I don't believe that the replacement parts are improved, just not work hardened yet. The sheetmetal got lighter in '81 and it seems to have led to the floor flexing more and breaking. So I just welded mine up in my '90 Jimmy, and added metal on top that went across the factory bracing and covered the flat areas. I tried to make the panels go close to the ribs to hopefully reduce the flex. I hope that my thought process and work on my floor are on track, but it isn't for sure.
Now if you need new panels because of rust, maybe you can find a dealer who gives a satisfaction guarantee. But obviously that may not happen combined with decent pricing and shipping rates.

 

[tomford]

It’s an 87 K5 and the cracks got so bad it broke through the floor. It’s too bad the rest of the truck is perfect. No rust at all. Was hoping there is someone making non Chinese metal junk.

 

[6872xtc]

I found an '89 that was close to that. No rust as well. Probably should have kept that one and built it...
But anyway, my sometimes redneck logic told me that it was better to add metal to the topside so the carpet hid it. And it would be easier to weld it in than if it was all inverted welding, and if I wanted, the bottom could look more original if I took the time.
I believe that if there had been better bracing by the seat mounts, there wouldn't have been any problems for most of them.
Maybe you could look at buying the floor pieces and cut use just the area that is necessary, even if it wastes a lot of the repair panels. Just make sure that you get the section of floor that you need.

 

[diesel4me]

I made my own floors out of 16 gauge galvanized sheet steel on my trucks--the aftermarket ones were too thin and they rust quickly especially where you have welded them..
Years ago you had sources like Schott panels and Mill Supply,and several other american companies stamping out good quality replacement panels,but they seem to all have gone the way of the Do-Do bird...extinct..

The square body truck's floors aren't that hard to make replacements for,the 67-72 trucks are much more involved,with more curves and raised areas..but I opted to fab up my own floors anyways..
I did use aftermarket rockers and cab corners when you could buy them cheap for under $20..they lasted about 5 years before they rusted again..

I brazed most of the floor patches on rather than weld them,partly because all I had at the time was torches,I also used pop rivets and nuts & bolts--..
I had welded some patches on with a crappy 110V arc welder and noticed the metal rusted rapidly on each side of the weld..the galvanized metal can give you zinc chills if you inhale the smoke it makes ,brazing seemed to create less of that and not burn off all the zinc ,so the rust resistance was retained more..
I did almost burn my truck up when the undercoating caught fire underneath and I was inside the cab with a mask on,you must be careful about that!..keep a garden hose handy ,and make sure the water is turned on !.

A MIG welder is the best way to weld patches on,but I've yet to own one ..I do OK with a DC arc welder turned down low,with the smallest 6011 rods you can get though..

 

[Cntymnty77]

Tabcoparts.com is made in the US and it’s heavier than the Chinese stuff.

 

[HankScorpio]

My K5 had the floor badly cracked. Part of the floor was broken through and resting on the exhaust. Never seen it happen on the pickups that way. I think it has to do with the bucket seat mounts flexing the floor differently than a bench. I welded mine up. I put different seats in and made sure my mounts braced the floor and bolted in differently than stock. Its working out fine so far. It will be interesting to see what happens after a few years of wheeling.

 

[89WhiteBlaze]

I just ripped the carpet out of mine a couple days ago to fix the rust in my 89 blazer. I was putting my seat back in so I could drive it until I have the time to do the repairs and the floor at the right, rear bolt cracked big time when I was tightening it down. I also noticed several other smaller cracks near the bolt holes. I bought the cheapo front and rear floor pans off ebay for $170, but haven't checked to see how they fit. They're supposedly made in Michigan according to the seller. I bought inner and outer rockers, and kick panels (just in case) for a little over $100 including shipping from Auto Metal Direct. I've heard nothing but good things about their panels, so I don't expect any problems with them. Ebay floor pans? I'll have to see how those fit. I have no clue about the quality of it, but Tractor Supply does sell 24" x 12" 16 gauge sheets for like $17 a piece if you just have a couple small repairs.

 

[diesel4me]

I just visit the metal pile at the dump when I need sheet metal--there is always a lot of old galvanized heating ducts,various scrap metal and appliances there free for the picking..old above ground pools have very high strength epoxy coated steel and ridges stamped in them sometimes that add a lot of strength to the sheet..Its good for a flatbed floor!..

One guy I know took an old commercial freezer home from the dump and carved up the stainless steel panels from it to use on his truck's floors..stainless is tough to bend and conform to contours and weld though..but his floor will never rust again..