Hey Wes,
I've been wanting to generate some interest in reproduction floor pans for these trucks.
No, not the crappy "piece it together" stuff that doesn't fit.
It's already being made.
I have done a few "full floor" replacements, just to see how much work was involved, and let me tell you, it's a lot easier than using several patches, and a whole lot better finished product to boot!!
I'm talking the full one piece floors........just like GM stamped them.
Starting at the rear of the cab wall and going clear up to the lower firewall seam. Wall to wall, including the rocker backers, and the original seam tabs .
Front floor supports are already being done, and I think I remember someone saying the full width rear support is still available. (maybe not, but nice ones are under every C-40, C-60 in the country,and are still plentiful). Cab floor braces are almost always salvagable, so they can be reused, or pirated from a totaled cab.
With the availability of lower door post panels, rockers, cab corners, kick panel patches, etc., it only seems natural that somebody would make full floors too.
Think about it..........what's the worst part on these trucks for rust?......the floor.....how many cabs that would otherwise get scrapped, could be 'rescued" this way! If more of these trucks were kept on the road, and not scrapped, it would only increase the demand for the existing repro parts!
I think with the increasing value of Big Block trucks, and 4X4's, the "high hump" floor would be the best ($$$) configuration.
And maybe a non- original bolt-in "low hump" cover, down the road, for the builder that wants to stay with the flat floor.
Unlike outer "skins", the floor wouldn't need to be an abslolute perfect replica of the GM piece. (but the closer, the better!) Most repop parts aren't "exact" replicas, anyway.
The GM floor tooling wasn't nearly as refined as the tooling for the visible outer panels, so repop tooling costs might be more affordable than say the bedside or hood dies were.
Infact, I would offer up any help I can towards preparing the "master", trial fitment, R&D, etc.
I know there is a perfect donor cab out there somewhere.
Any of you guys in the rust free states want to offer up that "lightly rolled" cab with the great high hump floor? Howabout that failed convertible project? If not for reproduction, then for me! Ha,Ha! I have 2 trucks that are nice everywhere else, but the floors!!
Anyone else interested in seeing these floor pans repoped??
They're easier than you think to replace in one piece.
Ask a bodyman why it's better to say....replace an entire OEM quarter, than it is to make a patch panel fit!
How was that for a sales pitch?
Mike
