Got a new Bronco! Help me fix the floors...w/pics!

[nickmyron]

I just bought a 71 Bronco that is in (for the most part) great shape. 84K original miles, 2nd owner, garaged its enitre life. But it does need some attention. I am going to get it painted (its got original paint now), but am giong to do the bodywork myself.

The only rust it has is on the floor pans and its nothing major (I think, i have definatly seen a lot worse). I am going to repair this first.

Heres the pics:

Drivers side (toward firewall):

*The PO put rust treatment paint over the rust, then put sheet metal over the top (There is also a piece of sheetmetal on the bottom that I havent taken that off yet). There is also some rust on the drivers kick pannel that you can kinda see in this pic, it only goes about 1-2" high however.

Driver side (where gas valve is):

Same spot but pic from the bottom:

Passenger side:

Same spot but pic from bottom:

I dont think that it would be worth replacing the entire floor pans, but if I just cut out the rust and make patch panels, weld them in and grind them smooth. It may be a little bit harder for the drivers side kick panel so I am not sure what to do about that.

What do you guys think? Just use a couple patch panels?

BTW-After fixing the floors, its heading straight for the Line-X shop to get bedliner in the tub!

Thanks,

Nick~
nickmyron@hotmail.com

 

[nickmyron]

Any suggestions/comments?

 

[ORVP]

Nice find congrats.

I would just do the whole drivers side. I just made my own floor pans and installed. I am close so if you want to peek I had very similar issues. Take the extra time since you are going to line-x. You will thank yourself later.
mike@orvp.com

 

[2badrotties]

Wow, that is a nice litle truck you found yourself.

You are going to get a few opinions on doing that job. My opinion is buy a driver side floor pan. Buy a good one with the ribs and replace the whole thing. Believe me, once that old floorpan is cut out it will make repairing the kick panel and that rear section MUCH easier and get you a better job. patching the passenger side will probably work. Good luck with it and again, nice Bronco you found there.

 

[kuch68]

Mine was much worse than your rust, but I did replace the whole section of front floor pans ( and much more). Here is the write up I did on my website and it will at least give you a look at what it will take to remove/install floor pan pieces:

http://www.orangestallion.com/howto.html

good luck

 

[GubNi]

I'm doing a similar job right now. I just welded in some scrap sheet metal and then ground down the welds. I'm going to herculiner it in a few. I'll put two coats one the patch areas so you can't tell when I'm done with it.