Replacing floor pans, seat & belts

[CA Big Red]

What started out as a VintageAir project has turned into replace the floor pans, stereo and seat. I found a little more rust than I remember.

So, I'm looking to replace the driver and passenger floor pans and wondering if there are going to be other pieces, like the piece that rubber door sealer slides into that I can also replace and weld in there.

I'd like to also add sound deadening and heat sealer onto the floor of the cab. I saw VintageAir promoting lizard skin, any better options? I would love a quieter ride. I had an   pad and heat shield installed. I might just throw that on top of whatever I do. 

I'd also like to get new red seatbelts. The bolts seem frozen right now but I've got some pB poured in them now. Suggestions for new or good clean red belts would be great.

Finally the seat. I researched a ton on the 60/40 split and I'm torn. I really want the arm rest and I really want the stock bench seat.  Anyone see a custom upholstery job where an arm rest with cup holders were built into one of these benches? I may just stick with vinyl too, for clean up purposes. I have 3 young kids and lots of trips planned. So rubber and vinyl still makes sense to me.

I didn't see any red 60/40s out there last night anyway. So, looking for seat ideas.

In the meantime, new VintageAir system is going in.

[CA Big Red]

Recommendations on floor pan replacements? Quality? Price I should pay?

[VileZambonie]

Did you look in the store? http://store.73-87chevytrucks.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=7&Category_Code=C1

[Captain Swampy]

You may need footwell panels, the cab mount cross member, inner and outer rocker panels. There is a 5 piece set and other pieces available on this site. The brace running front to back can be replaced if needed, but I made a patch from the old cab mount cross member.

[CA Big Red]

Thanks Captain. Do you have a thread on your floor pan project? I'm a visual learner.

[CA Big Red]

Vile, I did. Looks like the pans are there. Seems like a good price, although I haven't looked at shipping. I also have a yard nearby that I could cut OEM pans from (assuming good shape) and weld those in. So, I'm interested in all ideas and suggestions. Are the aftermarket pans of good quality? Or maybe it's just good enough?

[CA Big Red]

What is the "Slip on" rocker?

[Captain Swampy]

I haven't put a thread together yet. I think my photo size is to big. I finally got the pictures from my phone onto my laptop though. It's actually my daughter's pickup, so she has a lot of the pictures. There is a rocker panel thread pinned to the top somewhere on here. That's how I found this forum was searching for pics. It's worth your time to look at.

[Captain Swampy]

A slip on rocker is oversize and "slips on" over the old rusty one. Not the right way to do things. When looking at floor pans, there are drop in or weld in pans. If your cutting the old stuff out, you need the weld in pan. It has the lip on the outside (in front of the door, next to the footwell panel) bent down so it can be welded to the footwell panel and lower cowl.

[Captain Swampy]

Click on the forum button, then scroll to body and click, and rocker panel question is pinned to the top.

[CA Big Red]

That is a great thread and more than I bargained for when I pealed back the rubber mat. But I'm here now and want to fix this while I'm installing the air.

Here is more of what I have on drivers side.

[CA Big Red]

Here are some pics from passenger side.

[Dr_Snooz]

I read an article years ago that delved into the science of automotive sound deadening. According to the article, there are two noise problems requiring two different strategies. First are resonant frequencies that transmit through to the cabin by resonating the larger sheet metal panels on the car. These can be reduced with a patch of a bituminous deadening material like Dynamat. The rest of the frequencies can be eliminated with more lightweight materials like open-cell foam. I owned a BMW at the time, which was silent as a crypt inside. When I pulled the door panel, that was exactly the way they had done it. There was a patch (maybe 10"x12") of bituminous material on the sheet metal door panel and a 1/2" layer of open-cell foam behind the door panel. I haven't been able to find that article, or any like it, since. That's why I have to write these long posts.

Anyway, in your case, you should put two or three modest patches of Dynamat (some people swear by the roof patch rolls from Home Depot), and maybe a layer of jute beneath the carpet. That should do you right.

[CA Big Red]

This is great info. Thanks Dr.

[Joec123able]

Rust sucks!!!