73-87chevytrucks.com

73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: Chevytruckfanatic2009 on March 14, 2008, 12:06:56 AM

Title: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: Chevytruckfanatic2009 on March 14, 2008, 12:06:56 AM
 Hello, my name is Ryan and I'm 16. I'm inheriting my dads' old truck that he bought new in 1975. For the past few years he's let it sit up and rust pretty badly. The driver side cab corner is completely rusted out, but we have plans of fiber glassing it? I'm not completely positive that this is the best method of repair, but it's what my dad says we should do. The floor pan is in horrible shape; the passenger side is totally rusted out. Where the floor pan and rocker panels connect, it's rusted out there as well on both sides. The rocker panels seem to be just fine surprisingly. I'm just here for some advice on what y'all think should be done in my situation. I've been trying to find a website or place I could buy a complete new floor pan, but no luck thus far. If it would help, I believe I could post some pictures of the damage, Thanks,

Ryan
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: Redneckchevy on March 14, 2008, 12:34:57 AM
Well replacement panels is the way to go...In the time it will take u to fiberglass and sand....u could just welt in the new stuff and be done...cause if u dont get rid of the rust...It will come back...And then u will be pulling out chunks of fiber glass....
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: Dragon on March 14, 2008, 12:39:24 AM
Tell your Pop that you would like to fix it the right way, so that you and anyone else who rides in it can be safe!!!  Chris(Forum Owner, and who also has several 73-87 Projects of his own) sells these through the Forum Store(Found in the Above 73-87 Parts Link)
http://store.73-87chevytrucks.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=7&Product_Code=1001&Category_Code=C1
Here is a Link to the Installation/Repairs another Forum Member Wrote on the subject...
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=5661.0
Aside from these kits, the only way to get these pieces, is in sections, unless you go to a Salvage Yard and Have them Cut you out a complete floor(Most won't do, if the Cab is in decent enough shape, as they could sell the entire cab!!)....
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: hotrod24 on March 14, 2008, 12:48:25 AM
trust me these guys know what thay are taking about i was going to do the same thing you want to do but i found this site and i am glad i did. It has taught me alot.

Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: Bitzer! on March 14, 2008, 07:01:11 AM

If a jobs worth doing - do it properly the 1st time! Replacing the metal may take a little longer but it keeps the strength in the panel far better than any fibreglass.

The guys on this site have hundreds of years experience (if you add 'em together!) and very helpful. Even if you ask a silly question, as I have been known to (!) they don't yake the wee    ;)
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: Blazin on March 14, 2008, 07:38:30 AM
Leave your wee out of this Bitzer ::)!
 First off welcome to the site, from New Hampshire.
 You need to do this correctly. Fiberglass is for boats, or getting something through for one more year. If you don't have a mig welder I would suggest getting one. They are not that expensive for what you can do with them. ( fix moms lawn furniture, dads lawn mower, if ya know what I mean ) I don't care who you are or what you plan on doing in life it is never a bad thing to know how to weld. Do a search of the forums you will find tons of threads with pictures on allot of them about floor, cab support, rocker, cab corner replacement.
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: Chevytruckfanatic2009 on March 17, 2008, 12:46:59 PM
   I talked to my dad about what y'all said, and he told me that he was going to fiber glass it from the inside. He's gonna use the rusted metal to shape it, then he's gonna sandblast and remove all of the rust from the cab corner. Personally I would like it to be metal, because then the truck would feel a lot more original. And be alot stronger in that section. But he seems convinced the fiberglass repair would last longer than stated. My dad has never really done a major removal of sheet metal. So he's obviously wanting to stick to what he knows how to do. I have pretty much all summer to fix the cab, so time isn't an issue here.

   And as far as the floor pan goes; I looked at the Cab Repair Kit link that was posted. My entire floor pan needs replacing, so I'm assuming I'd have to buy two of these kits?

Thanks,

Ryan
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: Captkaos on March 17, 2008, 01:02:01 PM
Yes if both sides are gone you need a left and right side.

Fiberglassing the cab corners won't last very long though...
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: JJSZABO on March 17, 2008, 02:28:21 PM

If a jobs worth doing - do it properly the 1st time! Replacing the metal may take a little longer but it keeps the strength in the panel far better than any fibreglass.

The guys on this site have hundreds of years experience (if you add 'em together!) and very helpful. Even if you ask a silly question, as I have been known to (!) they don't yake the wee    ;)

...yake the wee  ???   :D  :D

Love the Britts ;D
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: Blazin on March 17, 2008, 03:54:26 PM
Bud, tell your dad you want it right.  By the time you two get done screwing around you will have wasted more time than doing it right. Plus unless he is a contortionist with very very small hands he is not going to reach down inside the cab corner, let alone do any work in there!! Oh yeah and sand blasting will blow fiber glass away just like it does rust!
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: VileZambonie on March 17, 2008, 03:57:39 PM
try duct tape and paper towels. Or paper mache  :D

Blazin is right, the $ and time you'll waste on all that crap you could put towards a welder and do it right. It's a good investment. Fiberglass is a temporary fix for a ride you'll be sending to the bone yard not one you're gonna fix up and keep.
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: Bitzer! on March 17, 2008, 04:12:05 PM

If a jobs worth doing - do it properly the 1st time! Replacing the metal may take a little longer but it keeps the strength in the panel far better than any fibreglass.

The guys on this site have hundreds of years experience (if you add 'em together!) and very helpful. Even if you ask a silly question, as I have been known to (!) they don't yake the wee    ;)

...yake the wee  ???   :D  :D

Love the Britts ;D

Ok Ok I was tried yawn lol       ;D
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: Chevytruckfanatic2009 on March 17, 2008, 04:36:13 PM
   I greatly appreciate y'alls input on the matter. You're right, it should be done correctly and not 'half way' like he's wanting to. My dad is a performace guy; he really has never done much body work, only engine and performace work. In the next week or so I'm gonna try to order 2 of those kits and go buy a MIG welder. Also thinking about buying a plasma cutter for cutting out the sheet metal, considering we don't have much of anything to cut stuff with. I'll post pictures of the damage later tonight.

Thanks,

Ryan
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: Blazin on March 17, 2008, 05:07:36 PM
A cut off tool works fine for cutting. Spend the money on other body tools. Plasma cutters are great but not a must have tool for doing nice body work. Tell dad that fiberglassing the cab corners would be like fixing a cracked block with JB Weld. Ask him if that would be OK to do? Nows his chance to learn along with you about body work. Go to a book store and get or order a few books on doing sheet metal fabrication, rust repair, body work etc.
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: VileZambonie on March 17, 2008, 05:12:05 PM
I have a plasma cutter and use my sawz all, mini air saw, and die grinder 95687694759674 times more than my plasma cutter.
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: HAULIN IT on March 17, 2008, 06:00:29 PM
Ryan, A few words on your situation. First I've mentioned before in other posts. My Dad died before I was 14, he was a good Dad & man. When I was 16 I would have been glad to spend ANY time with him. You need to have some respect for him & carefully work together with the plans of the father/son project. It needs to be a give & take deal at times. Who's money are we using to fix up the truck? That being said, Try to get him involved in checking out the options, show him this site & others (Dad won't always like what we think) but for the most part, it will be good sound advise from guys who have been there & done that. What the other guys are telling you of coarse is correct. If the floor pan is rusted out, replace it with good metal. As was already mentioned, EVERYONE who has an interest in car/truck hobbies needs a welder, Period. Forget the plasma cutter, yes they can be useful, but you need other parts & tools far more than that. Now on to the cab corners, ect. They are relatively easy to replace & should be done, however they are not a structural part, so maybe take "baby steps", get the truck "fixed up a little" & to make sure you don't lose interest or have to spend allot more money than your thinking on a radiator, transmission rebuild, ect. I agree you should start by doing it right, but once again it's a give & take. You & Dad will not always come up with the same idea. Prioritize what will make the truck safe & reliable first. Most important in all, enjoy the time with your Dad. Did you read the "Honor your Dad" post in the general Discusion section? Maybe you & Dad should read this topic & that one together.  Lorne 
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: Bitzer! on March 18, 2008, 06:14:06 AM
Easy answer!!! Tell yr Dad to leave the bodywork to you while he does the engine- best of both worlds  ;)
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: smitty77 on March 18, 2008, 04:40:53 PM
Welding isn't too hard, it takes a lot of practice to get a nice bead and to get intuitive with the settings, but you should be on your way to joining scrap pieces in a half hour or so.  Throw a case of beer at a guy who welds for a living and see if he'll show you some basics on a Saturday morning.

The funniest thing I've ever watched was my dad teaching himself how to weld.  He's been a welding inspector for over 25 years inspecting all kinds of metals but had never laid a bead in his life until a few years ago.  The work looked like arse on his first few attempts, and it frustrated the heck out of him because he knows what a good weld looks like and works all day with the "pros" who make it look so easy.  He eventually did get some nice work done, but he was never happy with it.  "I wouldn't 'pass' it, they'd be doing it over if I saw a weld like that." he'd say.

As for tools, get a cut off wheel, a good angle grinder to dress your cuts before welding, and maybe even an air shear to zip through thin stock.  Like parts, Craigslist is a mecca for used stuff if you're careful with what you buy.

Good luck,
Smitty
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: hotrod24 on March 18, 2008, 10:34:14 PM
where is the pics i what to see some pics ;D
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: Chevytruckfanatic2009 on March 24, 2008, 04:21:47 PM
Hey, sorry guys it has taken so long for me to post pics of the damage and my truck. But here they are,


The old Behemoth...
(http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/5024/truckpiclo4.jpg)
A custom grille, but I have plans of putting the original back in.
(http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/4900/frontoftrucklj3.jpg)
I need chrome for the whole thing! lol
(http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/9883/truckbedsidejr4.jpg)
66' model 396ci   550 Rochester 4-B Carb
(http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/5995/engineqc0.jpg)
The main part of the rust.
(http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/4207/truckfloorrustqo7.jpg)
Where the floor pan has rusted from the rocker.
(http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/4928/passengerrockerzs6.jpg)
Paint is bubbling behind the cabcorner and on back. Don't know why it's doing that.
(http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/6615/passengercabcornerni9.jpg)
This is the really bad cab corner.
(http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/3246/drivercabcornerzd9.jpg)
It's just rusted out of the rocker here, and a few little rust holes.
(http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/3253/driverfloorpanpe8.jpg)
Same, pretty much.
(http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/5360/driverrockertd6.jpg)

This is pretty much all of the damage having to do with the cab. I also have a pretty rusty tailgate that has a few rust holes, but I figure I can save it. Thanks for the replies and tell me what you think exactly of the damage.

Ryan
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: HAULIN IT on March 24, 2008, 04:44:03 PM
Ryan, It looks like you got a little work to do there! Not many young guys end up with a big block for their first truck, that's a plus. To be realistic, You need to order cab kits for both sides from Chris. You may not need the cab brace, but his kit is less than allot of places for just the rocker & cab corner. Get yourself a welder & the cab repair kits & we'll walk you through getting it fixed up. Lorne
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: zieg85 on March 24, 2008, 04:47:25 PM
Wow, a BB, cool.  The bubbling paint is a previous try to fix a problem from what I can see from the pic of the right side cab corner.  I would really look at the under-cab structures and mounts to determine if it is worth all the work.  May be easier and cheaper to find a rust free cab since your far enough south.  Just throwing my $.02 in.
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: Blazin on March 24, 2008, 08:20:10 PM
Thats nothing! I have fixed allot worse than that. Thats what we call a nice start up here in the North East.
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: Chevytruckfanatic2009 on March 24, 2008, 08:27:54 PM
 Well it's a big deal to me! :P Tomorrow or the day after, we're going down south of here to look at a parts truck. The ole' guy says the floor pan is in perfect shape, even though I'm a bit skeptical. I'm gonna talk to my dad if it isn't, and probably end up ordering 2 of those repair kits. Once we get that taken care of, I'll wade in on fixing the sucker up. He has agreed with me on wanting to do it the correct way. He just says it'll take a bit more money and alot more time. But that's ok if it gets the job done correctly and permantly. I really want the truck streetable before the mid-part of the summer, if not sooner. I really do appreciate all of the great advice you guys have been providing me.

Ryan
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: frogman68 on March 25, 2008, 01:55:21 AM
Well it's a big deal to me! :P Tomorrow or the day after, we're going down south of here to look at a parts truck. The ole' guy says the floor pan is in perfect shape, even though I'm a bit skeptical. I'm gonna talk to my dad if it isn't, and probably end up ordering 2 of those repair kits. Once we get that taken care of, I'll wade in on fixing the sucker up. He has agreed with me on wanting to do it the correct way. He just says it'll take a bit more money and alot more time. But that's ok if it gets the job done correctly and permantly. I really want the truck streetable before the mid-part of the summer, if not sooner. I really do appreciate all of the great advice you guys have been providing me.

Ryan

Ryan from one newbie to another dont put a time line on it I did that and rushed a little on mine and ruined take your time and take it as father and son bonding time..  Remember the longer ya take the nicer it will be
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: Bitzer! on March 25, 2008, 06:00:45 AM

If it isn't needed as a daily driver, take yr time and do it right! I've had mine in the garage now for 6 months spending evenings and the odd weekend on it. Progress is slow but it'll sure be worth it- I hope!
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: autorepr on March 25, 2008, 07:15:39 AM
Hi Ryan,   Cool truck and a big block, whew baby! Is that your only source of transportation right now? My first suggestion is to have a little car or even better another truck to get you from a to b. It's real tough to do a project like that and drive it or have a date it needs to be done by. It's going to take a lot of work and experience and is way past fiberglassing. ( no offense Dad, that cab needs some structure repair) I would suggest putting a cab on it that doesn't need totally reconstructed as a first time project. If that one has sentimental value then put it off to the side and rebuild it together in steps then put it back on the frame later and sell your decent cab for what you got in it. Take time to practice with that new welder on worthless stuff, cut up your old bicycle and weld it back together, go get an old fender or door someone is throwing away and cut it up and weld it back together. Before you know it you'll be a pro! Pay attention to lining up the body lines and not wraping things, crank the heat up and burn thru your junk practice peices to find out where the line is of to much heat/ not enough. practice filling the burn thru with the welder. You'll get it!

Also one more thing, I have a 19 your old son and he's got no interest in fixing up old cars/trucks. You and your Dad obviuosly do so take your time, both of you and enjoy it. Hopefully you have another 50-100 years together to finish
it and maybe it could even become a Grandfather, Father (you when your ready in 10+ yrs from now) grandson project!!!!!!
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: Chevytruckfanatic2009 on March 11, 2009, 11:37:47 PM
Alright, after a year of being extremely busy and actually ordering (2) cap repair kits, I am reviving this thread. I finally have enough to time to devote to this project and have cleared out most of the other projects my dad wanted to complete first. I apologize about being inactive for a whole year, but life kind of demanded it. But for some reason, starting in March, I gain more free time. So, Hello everyone. Hope all has been well during the past year.

Ryan
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: ccz145a on March 12, 2009, 12:05:40 AM
Welcome back!
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: hotrod24 on March 12, 2009, 11:36:07 AM
alright welcome back and lets see some progress  ;)
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: Bitzer! on March 12, 2009, 01:10:23 PM

wow its almost a year to the day since I posted on here and finally, 18months later its going to the paint shop 2mow  :D bout time but it'll be worth the wait!

It all takes time.....................
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: Chevytruckfanatic2009 on March 12, 2009, 01:39:21 PM
Yeah, my father and I are getting prepped to replace the floor, cab corners, and the rockers. We would really like to take our time and do it correctly. We also understand that it's going to take hours on end, but are patient. I would appreciate any advice/help that can be given to coast us along in doing this. I'll also keep pictures posted as the project progresses. I'll be doing most of the work this summer, due to college starting this fall for me.

Ryan
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: Captkaos on March 12, 2009, 03:14:50 PM
Welcome back Ryan
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: BigHemi353 on March 15, 2009, 01:17:56 AM
I'll be doing most of the work this summer, due to college starting this fall for me.

Ryan

haha, college boy just like me? sucks don't it?! lol i work fulltime, go to college(12 credit hours this semester) thats 6miles away every weeknight and work on the truck on the weekends or whenever i decide to skip class. have fun and looks like ya got a great project.  Andy
Title: Re: Floor pan majorly rusted out in my 75' Chevy Silverado.
Post by: Chevytruckfanatic2009 on March 15, 2009, 08:35:33 PM
Thanks Captkaos :D

Quote
haha, college boy just like me? sucks don't it?!

Most definitely Andy. This summer I plan on spending 90% of my time on this truck, if possible. But when college starts, my time will dwindle down to just days I decide to skip (like you mentioned) and the weekends. But the final product is definitely worth all of the trouble. If ya know what I mean.  ;)

Ryan