Alrighty today's update. After a lot of pondering, it hit me. It's the floor pans stupid!
If anyone goes to do this and buys floor pans from LMC, I hope you read this first. There are two problems. The first problem is the shape is really bad. The bend at the toe board where it slants up to the fire wall is no where near sharp enough of an angle. Once I figured that out, the fitment problems all but sorted themselves. I had to make relief cuts on the tunnel side to keep from distorting it as I bent it. I consider that one on me and chock it up to a rookie mistake. The second problem is actually a problem.
See this ridge I'm pointing to?
Notice how far across the panel it comes? Yeah, that's a problem because the support crosses it right about at my finger. The pan can't set flat on the support with it like that. So it's either notch the support, or cut that out and flatten it. I went for the latter. It made more sense and I don't have to be as precise.
Cut out with flat piece sitting in place.
Welded around to the ridge.
And with the ridge pieced in. Little one was asleep so I didn't get it ground down flat, but it looks pretty darn good for a noob job.
Here is the panel re-fit on the drivers side.
I had this lap jointed all the way around when I discovered the problem. I got lucky. After the re-shaping, I found that if I left the top in place, the bottom was essentially a perfect butt joint. With a little massaging, I can easily seam weld it all the way around leaving it flat with no gaps to catch and hold crap. It's more welding, but it will be a nicer job and lots of good practice for the cab corners.
I got the A pillars pieced together. You can see in the background the drivers side. Here is the pass side.
I think I'm going to put weld through primer in all the hidden areas to take care of some of the welding corrosion then I'll seam seal and epoxy prime the crap out of the rest of it.
Tomorrow will be fitting the pass floor pan for the last time and putting the last pieces in there. It's a short work day as I have some other business to deal with. Maybe I'll get a little farther. :
If anyone goes to do this and buys floor pans from LMC, I hope you read this first. There are two problems. The first problem is the shape is really bad. The bend at the toe board where it slants up to the fire wall is no where near sharp enough of an angle. Once I figured that out, the fitment problems all but sorted themselves. I had to make relief cuts on the tunnel side to keep from distorting it as I bent it. I consider that one on me and chock it up to a rookie mistake. The second problem is actually a problem.
See this ridge I'm pointing to?
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Notice how far across the panel it comes? Yeah, that's a problem because the support crosses it right about at my finger. The pan can't set flat on the support with it like that. So it's either notch the support, or cut that out and flatten it. I went for the latter. It made more sense and I don't have to be as precise.
You must be registered for see images attach
Cut out with flat piece sitting in place.
You must be registered for see images attach
Welded around to the ridge.
You must be registered for see images attach
And with the ridge pieced in. Little one was asleep so I didn't get it ground down flat, but it looks pretty darn good for a noob job.
Here is the panel re-fit on the drivers side.
You must be registered for see images attach
I had this lap jointed all the way around when I discovered the problem. I got lucky. After the re-shaping, I found that if I left the top in place, the bottom was essentially a perfect butt joint. With a little massaging, I can easily seam weld it all the way around leaving it flat with no gaps to catch and hold crap. It's more welding, but it will be a nicer job and lots of good practice for the cab corners.
I got the A pillars pieced together. You can see in the background the drivers side. Here is the pass side.
You must be registered for see images attach
I think I'm going to put weld through primer in all the hidden areas to take care of some of the welding corrosion then I'll seam seal and epoxy prime the crap out of the rest of it.
Tomorrow will be fitting the pass floor pan for the last time and putting the last pieces in there. It's a short work day as I have some other business to deal with. Maybe I'll get a little farther. :