The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop 1954 floor patch panel

I am getting ready to replace my floor pans from the seat forward. I have a small amount of rust in the toe panel. I noticed that some of the patch panels include the floor and part of the toe panel which eliminate the factory seam. Are these better or is it best to go with panels that maintain the factory seam between the floor and toe?

IMO the factory seam also helps to add support and rigidity to the front area of the cab floor.

I have done it both ways. I used the floor/toe board combo on my 50 daily driver, and used separate floor and toe board pieces on my future museum piece (a guy can dream can't he?). The one piece combo was easier to weld in, just not original. As far as "added support and rigidity" of the factory seam, I respectfully disagree because the original seam is two flanged pieces of sheet metal spot-welded (prone to rust) an inch apart the width of the cab, as opposed to a sturdy bend in a single piece of metal.

I am in the same boat. I finally decided that I will install the seamless patch panel and then fabricate a dummy flange/seam and weld it to the patch panel. Welding flange down so it is not very visible from the top side. The edge of the seam will be sealed (as all others) with seam sealer prior to paint.