The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Floor repair

I need to repair a rusty floor. My entire cab has "sunk and is sitting on the frame. The floor, just about where my feet rest is bulged up all the way from one side to the other. The rocker panels are split at the peak of this bulge. About 4-6 inches from the front post. I have done a lot of research and watched YouTube videos on replacing various floor pan parts/pieces. My first thought was an entire floor pan replacement but I don't have the garage or skill set to take that on. My next option is to replace the rockers and the front pans. I think I have enough good floor to weld in pieces.

Just to help me understand how the whole thing works, is the cab really supported by the floor pans or does the floor supports dissipate the weight to the side structures of the cab.

I am trying to wrap my mind around how the floor pan supports the cab without some more substantial framework.

I'm in the same boat as you are re: floor support. The supports where the bolts go thru stop at the edge of the tranny cover, so aren't all that structurally sound. A bit of a design flaw IMO. The floor supports do weld on to the rocker panels, but there's that gap at the tranny cover.

You'll need to replace the rocker panels below the doors (at least part of them) and likely the floor supports and the floor itself.

The front cab supports bear some of the weight, but most at the front is from the support at the radiator. My cab actually settled and kinked both of the cowl panels from the sagging, so those are getting replaced as well as the floor. My cab is just about ready to come off and go on a rotisserie for the repairs.

Here is some information on the original design intentions of the cab support system (1949-55 1st Series).
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8350452080/in/album-72157632440242503/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8349389839/in/album-72157632440242503/

You need to find a better cab.
Your current one would make the most awesome center piece for yard art in a shrub bed in your front yard so that passersby can enjoy the natural beauty of our trucks.
I only suggest this because I have brought one back from the exact same state of disrepair as yours and it was way too much work for the reward.
Carl

X2

Check out woodys conclusion

And he is a pro

...link...

Thanks for posting that link. I would be perfectly happy with the quality of Woody's backporch paint job. How is that possible without any dust?

Wow, iv only made it about halfway through all his pictures but that is the most comprehensive collection of pictures iv seen for a restoration. I saved it as I’m sure it will be a huge help in my future restoration. By chance, anyone know of any other restoration galleries like that? I come from the corvette world and there’s tons of them, but I haven’t found much for the trucks

OP, we don't mean to highjack your post....but did you guys notice the rolling door stand that Woody made for working on the doors. Pretty handy. Is Woody still around the Bolt, I don't remember him, but like his smart and practical and quality approach to old truck restoration problems. No BS, just get it done. I'm still not through all the photos. Excellent quality and detail.