I have been welding in new floor pans in my '65 step-side. The panels look great now, but they sure required a lot of modification to get them there.
My first panel was the kick panel and it was pretty straight forward. I didn't have any issues with it's fitting or overall shape, but the holes aren't in the right place. I had to slot one hole after all other panels were in position in order the make it work.
The main floor pan...the high-dollar one with the bolt holes punched, captive nuts, etc...has four major problems. First, it was too short. In the area where the panel meets the toe-board: it is about right near the gas pedal, but is about an inch short over near the kick panel. Second, the body-mounting bolt hole was about 9/16" out of position towards the rear of the truck. I flattened this area, welded their hole and drilled a new one in the right place, then made a die to re-press the body bolt depression in the correct position. Third, the bottom-most edge of the panel had to be trimmed with a skewed cut...removing about 3/8" of metal at the front, going to zero at the rear in order to match the outer body panel that goes below the door. Fourth, and finally, the 6 bolt holes punched in the vertical part of the panel are all over the map. I dont' think any of them are in the right place. They don't even match the floor brace that is sold as its mate.
And that brings me to the front floor brace. It is woefully the wrong height at the end nearest the transmission...by about 3/4". The ones I bought...from LMC...are the same for lefts and rights, but I practically had to remake the thing to make it work out.
I have been doing this kind of stuff for 40 years, so I know that body shapes on metal can be manipulated a lot and still look good. But to make everything fit and seal and work correctly takes a lot of patience and diligence and thought. I am amazed that the folks selling these panels are getting away with it.
I worry that some younger guys (usually in a hurry) are taking these panels for GOSPEL and welding away only to find that they have to bond-o their selves silly to make it palletable at the end. I wish LMC would work with Tony Smith and get these panels corrected for the rest of us.
