2nd look under the carpets....Is there any reason to save the rubber mat

[Kim]

beneath the rug in the cargo area. It appears to be in perfect condition but without the proper tools I can only rip it out - damaging it.

At first I was nervous about pulling up the carpets....but the amount of moisture trapped under them is astounding.

 

[TX SS]

Yes keep the rubber mat as it levels out the rear floor for the carpet. The bed has ribs in it like a normal truck bed. You can pull everything out (seats, seat belts, side panels, carpet hold downs, carpet) and let the Bronco dry out and then reuse the mat and carpet. There are holes in the mat for the seat and seat belts which is why you can't pull it out with everything else still installed.

 

[TX SS]

Here's what it looks like back there with everything removed.

 

[Kim]

The carpet is a disaster. I won't be salvaging it. Completely saturated with antifreeze, water, etc.

But, I won't rip out the rubber mat if you think I need it for the new carpeting.

 

[Kim]

Tx SS, That is pretty!

 

[Kim]

Not bad under there..

 

[half cab]

Here's what it looks like back there with everything removed.

Show off...;D

 

[Kim]

The worst find under the carpet.....

What to,do?

 

[Jay-P]

How bad is it? hard to tell from the pics. Any pin holes? Does the metal seem much thinner where the rust is then the surrounding metal?

If it is just surface rust I would clean it up and por15 it.

www.por15.com

 

[Kim]

Jay - The metal feels very solid. I see only one small pinhole that appears rusted through.

 

[Kim]

Close up pic

 

[half cab]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but if you stabbed at it with that pick I'm sure you would have many more of them holes.

 

[TX SS]

Tx SS, That is pretty!

Thanks. This truck lived in a dry climate and the floors are very solid. Yours looks really nice as well and I'm happy to see you digging into it.

Show off...;D

 

[fatboy]

I would probably get some rust converter/neutralize like Ospho (http://www.ospho.com/). the NI would get some rustolium primer and get it protected. That should stop the rust from continuing while you further your investigation. Looks like a solid truck, find all the issues and then decide what you want to do.

 

[Kim]

NI?

Another shot of the wheel well area after carpet removed. This looks better. No? Much of that is disintegrated carpet/dirt.

 

[Jay-P]

I think it was a type-o, he meant to say then i.

In my neck of the woods that drivers side floor pan is just getting broken in.

Seriously though, how deep do you want to get into this thing right now? And what are your goals?

Rear wheel well looks solid.

 

[CopperRanger]

Any idea which replacement carpet and color your going to go with, I need some new too.

 

[Kim]

Jay - My initial goal is to get it running well and to enjoy it as a weekend cruiser out on the North Fork of LI. It isn't my intention to do body work, painting, etc. I started removing the carpets because there was a recent leak of radiator fluid into the passenger side floor pan area. As I lifted the carpets and sensed dampness, I figured it was a good idea to get the rugs out. The rust that I see is really not that bothersome to me as I've tried to show the absolute worst that I see and haven't found anything rusted through. What I'd like to do is prevent this from worsening...not necessarily have a mint Bronco.

 

[fatboy]

NI?

Another shot of the wheel well area after carpet removed. This looks better. No? Much of that is disintegrated carpet/dirt.

Sorry I fat fingered it, that n should have gone with the previous word it should say, then I ...

 

[fatboy]

Jay - My initial goal is to get it running well and to enjoy it as a weekend cruiser out on the North Fork of LI. It isn't my intention to do body work, painting, etc. I started removing the carpets because there was a recent leak of radiator fluid into the passenger side floor pan area. As I lifted the carpets and sensed dampness, I figured it was a good idea to get the rugs out. The rust that I see is really not that bothersome to me as I've tried to show the absolute worst that I see and haven't found anything rusted through. What I'd like to do is prevent this from worsening...not necessarily have a mint Bronco.

Bad heater core? Was that the source of the coolant leak?