Fixing holes in the floor without buying floor pans

[skep419]

The dart is going to need some surgery soon. Wondering what metal to buy to fix the holes in the floor. It does not have to look OE. Has anyone just cut out the bad spots and put in a patch.

I'm guessing its too far gone and new pans would probably be easier but the whole car is rusty so were do I stop!!!

Here are some pics of the drivers side floor pan.

 

[skep419]

Rear passenger wheel tub

 

[skep419]

Passenger floor pan

 

[72ScampTramp]

Rock auto has floor pans for $50 a side. Not a bad price. You could patch it but you may find that the rust goes farther then you think. I would say invest in the pans and do it the right way may save you work later.

 

[dustermaniac]

I feel your pain man. Rust does so much destruction and it's so hard ro get rid of!!! I am dealing with these issues also.

 

[MoparJoe20]

It's quicker to replace the front pans than to try to patch it up, on the rear wheelhouse I would clean it up and trim back to clean metal then make a patch with 20ga steel and weld it in.

When I put the front pans in my Dart I cut around the perimeter with a sawzall then ripped them out by hand, there was rust between the rail and pan so there wasn't much holding them in, it took me a whole weekend but I had to repair the firewall and trans tunnel also, the rear pans took about 3hrs to R&R.

 

[packin3deuces]

It's quicker to replace the front pans than to try to patch it up, on the rear wheelhouse I would clean it up and trim back to clean metal then make a patch with 20ga steel and weld it in.

When I put the front pans in my Dart I cut around the perimeter with a sawzall then ripped them out by hand, there was rust between the rail and pan so there wasn't much holding them in, it took me a whole weekend but I had to repair the firewall and trans tunnel also, the rear pans took about 3hrs to R&R.

I agree 100% .:supz:

 

[rjsjea]

it's quicker to replace the front pans than to try to patch it up.

agree..

 

[skep419]

Not looking forward to it but there is no way I am going another summer eating dust. (live a gravel road)

I have heard a lot of good things about http://www.autobodyspecialt.com/

 

[66 Dartman]

I've been doing bodywork for some 30 odd years i always make my own panels but floor pans are a ***** to fabricate.like 72 scamp said the rust will be more then the patch panel.here's a couple pic's of my pan i did last winter i fabed it and butt welded it in.
I would look for a rust free southern pan.just my opinion.
keep us posted on your build.

 

[skep419]

will do. Thanks for the replies.