rust! doh!

slisdexia · 09-04-2008, 08:28 PM

I've been bouncing ideas off the folks here on yotatech, and never been disappointed so i'm going pose this one as well. Just bought an 83 p/u 160k on the body, which really isn't too bad as far as rust goes. Now for the fun part- the floor resembles a wet sponge around the front cab mounts. The frame itself is in fine shape but the floor to the cab is too far gone. does anyone make replacement floors/body panels for these trucks? any advice as to the easiest way to get under there? I hope I don't have to try to take the cab off, that's probably be a multiple month project in my situation but I'd rather do it right once. NOW WHAT?

wbritt · 09-04-2008, 08:35 PM

I fiberglassed my 82 and put in a metel plate to attach the body to the mount. Then sprayed bed liner coating over it. It has worked for 2 yrs...

ocdropzone · 09-04-2008, 10:24 PM

My driver's side floor looks like this:

went to the bone yard, about 1/2 hour or so using these things and $15:

Netted me this hunk of junk and

I think your best bet would be to put in some metal. I thought about going the fiberglass route too. I emailed Corey: AKA-'slacker' that runs toyotafiberglass.com thinking since he is the resident guru of fiberglass he would have some pointers. He said bad idea. it might last a little while but eventually the repair will fail...

even if you can't get a replacement floor panel, forming some sheet metal to fit with a BFH should do the trick if it gets welded in..

wbritt · 09-05-2008, 03:35 PM

I agree metal is best. But since I don't have a welder readily availible the patch has worked so far... I'm sure it will eventually fail, but so does every thing else.

slacker · 09-05-2008, 04:32 PM

I just cut out a box floor on a good used piece .. it has the floor ribs in it , thats why I like it ..

I havent attempted to fit it yet .. but I think a BFH and some time , I can make a good replacement ...

slisdexia · 09-05-2008, 09:23 PM

so how would you guys go about picking up the cab in order to get to the floorboard? or would you just hack it apart from the inside? I'm getting awful tired of all the crap that has gone with my cars so I'm thinking something that's as easy as I can get without being a piece of crap. Never lifted a cab off the frame before so I tread lightly...

wbritt · 09-06-2008, 09:25 AM

you should be able to get it from the inside/out side minus the tire. Mine was easy clean it really good and start adding layers of glass clithe and resin. wrapped a piece of sheet with galss cloth and added it to the rest. I tried to upload pics but i'm obviously just an idiot. It took me about 3 hours and 25bucks to do both floor boards. Like I said it has held together for 2+ years so far. Not too bad. No cutting just grinding and wire brushing.

wbritt · 09-06-2008, 10:29 AM

driver's side

Drivers side2

Passenger's side

Both sides were completely rotted out around the body mount

NorCrawler · 09-06-2008, 10:56 AM

dang rust is a sob. glad i live in california.

**Lysmachia** · 09-06-2008, 12:28 PM

Is that POR you used? Yeah I am grinding underneath TC's truck right now and holy crap. I need a face shield!!!

wbritt · 09-06-2008, 04:54 PM

I'm trying to figure out POR?.? Bondo brand Resin and cloth from Wally World. Then sprayed with bedliner in a can...

slisdexia · 09-06-2008, 04:57 PM

hmm 3 hours, 25 bucks... sign me up. what did you use, just regular fiberglass?

wbritt · 09-06-2008, 05:45 PM

Yep. Cleaned the area very well, removed body mount bolt. you caneither cover the hole with foil or leave the bolt loose or put a different bolt in to protect the threads.

Lay the cloth out and cut it to cover the opening. I put resin around the hole so the cloth would stick. Gently brush the resin on the cloth and repeat.

The resin will drip through the cloth so yo might want to put something under the truck to keep it off the ground.

The more cloth the stronger it will be. So that might adjust you cost.. Once it cures spray on the bedliner in a can. It took one can to do both side 2-3 coats. Call if you have questions 205-447-0093

slisdexia · 09-06-2008, 08:26 PM

does anyone know where I can get a replacement floorpan for this truck? 83 yoter p/u I like the idea of fiberglass, just trying to do some research and I can't for the life of me remember what the name of that huge distributer of that stuff. national parts depot?

4banginRunner · 09-07-2008, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slisdexia

does anyone know where I can get a replacement floorpan for this truck? 83 yoter p/u I like the idea of fiberglass, just trying to do some research and I can't for the life of me remember what the name of that huge distributer of that stuff. national parts depot?

nobody makes um
gotta make ur own

CJM · 09-07-2008, 07:53 PM

Getting the sheetmetal formed to fit the floor isnt the hard part, its putting the ribs in which give it strength. Honestly if you can get a decent floor pan or take a trip to a yard its possible. Make sure you cut out extra metal..

Then do this:

Cut out supports, using this glue stuff (I cant recall the name but bodymen use it alot, its strong as welding!), create supports with pieces of the metal, then glue them in then glue the pan in. It works, I repaired a rotted out bed with this method, and although it dont look pretty unless you do it slowly and prep and finish well it will hold up.

slisdexia · 09-07-2008, 09:07 PM

crap... I dunno if this is going to work. I have a crap load going on between school, work, motorcycle repair on the side and some other stuff I"m not going to put on the internet. Anyone want an 83 p/u? solid axles, 5 spd motor has under 50k since rebuild, little rust, the floor is the worst by far, spots over rear wheel wells, everything works except the radio $3000?

Rusker · 09-21-2008, 06:27 PM

No one sells floorpans for the 77 do they? I have smaller but similar rust spots as well.

4banginRunner · 09-21-2008, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusker

No one sells floorpans for the 77 do they? I have smaller but similar rust spots as well.

nope

a peice of sheet metal, cutting tool of your choice and a bead roller are your best friend in building your own

lil_mule · 09-21-2008, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4banginRunner

nope

a peice of sheet metal, cutting tool of your choice and a bead roller are your best friend in building your own

I notice there is no body mount visible in your pic, what did you do to address that? Mine is rotted out in the same spot you replaced, and the mount to the frame is shot(but the frame is good) n I was thinking of just running a brace all the way across the floor between the fram for support....

Mic09dcsm · 09-21-2008, 09:08 PM

Damn, it seems if you live anywhere where it snows you need a welder and fabrication abilities to keep a vehicle over a decade or so.

Rusker · 09-21-2008, 10:17 PM

09-04-2008, 08:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
slisdexia Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado Posts: 169	rust! doh! I've been bouncing ideas off the folks here on yotatech, and never been disappointed so i'm going pose this one as well. Just bought an 83 p/u 160k on the body, which really isn't too bad as far as rust goes. Now for the fun part- the floor resembles a wet sponge around the front cab mounts. The frame itself is in fine shape but the floor to the cab is too far gone. does anyone make replacement floors/body panels for these trucks? any advice as to the easiest way to get under there? I hope I don't have to try to take the cab off, that's probably be a multiple month project in my situation but I'd rather do it right once. NOW WHAT? __________________ I blame the automatic transmission for the wussification of America 1983 Toyota Pickup. 22r, 5 spd, 4x4, totally sweet chrome steelies and Big 0 mesas 235/75-15s And floor mounted speed holes but only 50k on the rebuild!

09-04-2008, 10:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
ocdropzone Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: PDX Posts: 2,745	use metal My driver's side floor looks like this: went to the bone yard, about 1/2 hour or so using these things and $15: Netted me this hunk of junk and I think your best bet would be to put in some metal. I thought about going the fiberglass route too. I emailed Corey: AKA-'slacker' that runs toyotafiberglass.com thinking since he is the resident guru of fiberglass he would have some pointers. He said bad idea. it might last a little while but eventually the repair will fail... even if you can't get a replacement floor panel, forming some sheet metal to fit with a BFH should do the trick if it gets welded in.. __________________ ~Robb '81 Trekker SR5 B4Runner Build '89 Tercel Project POS Gas Saver '05 Camry 'Wife's curb destroyer' '03 Tahoe Family Truckster/Tow Rig TREKKER Forum LINK TO ONLINE FACTORY SERVICE MANUALS All Toyota Website Search Engine Wheel Responsibly, Don't screw it up for others...

09-05-2008, 04:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
slacker Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: BC Canada Posts: 1,265	I just cut out a box floor on a good used piece .. it has the floor ribs in it , thats why I like it .. I havent attempted to fit it yet .. but I think a BFH and some time , I can make a good replacement ... __________________ 86 4x4 , fiberglass bed , 1/2 doors , hood ... more to come . 84 2WD "hotrod" Intercooled 7MGTE 83 Trekker SR5 MY PAGE 2WD fourm I frequent NEW Trekker forum

09-05-2008, 09:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
slisdexia Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado Posts: 169	so how would you guys go about picking up the cab in order to get to the floorboard? or would you just hack it apart from the inside? I'm getting awful tired of all the crap that has gone with my cars so I'm thinking something that's as easy as I can get without being a piece of crap. Never lifted a cab off the frame before so I tread lightly... __________________ I blame the automatic transmission for the wussification of America 1983 Toyota Pickup. 22r, 5 spd, 4x4, totally sweet chrome steelies and Big 0 mesas 235/75-15s And floor mounted speed holes but only 50k on the rebuild!

09-06-2008, 10:56 AM	#9 (permalink)
NorCrawler Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NorCal Posts: 243	dang rust is a sob. glad i live in california. __________________ NOR*CAL ---1989 Single Cab Pick Up - Needs: 5.29s, lockers, small exo cage, rock sliders, diff armor, dual cases. Has to much to list. It's ALL HERE ---> http://www.yotatech.com/f86/i-love-m...rawler-146975/ ---1984 Ford Ranger 2WD Flatbed Prerunner - 4" coil Spring Lift, Rancho 9000s, Lincoln Locker, Desert Camo Paint. It's ALL HERE ---> http://www.yotatech.com/f5/project-d...runner-148316/

09-04-2008, 08:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
wbritt Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Pinson, AL Posts: 16	I fiberglassed my 82 and put in a metel plate to attach the body to the mount. Then sprayed bed liner coating over it. It has worked for 2 yrs...

09-05-2008, 03:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
wbritt Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Pinson, AL Posts: 16	I agree metal is best. But since I don't have a welder readily availible the patch has worked so far... I'm sure it will eventually fail, but so does every thing else.

09-06-2008, 09:25 AM	#7 (permalink)
wbritt Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Pinson, AL Posts: 16	you should be able to get it from the inside/out side minus the tire. Mine was easy clean it really good and start adding layers of glass clithe and resin. wrapped a piece of sheet with galss cloth and added it to the rest. I tried to upload pics but i'm obviously just an idiot. It took me about 3 hours and 25bucks to do both floor boards. Like I said it has held together for 2+ years so far. Not too bad. No cutting just grinding and wire brushing.

09-06-2008, 10:29 AM	#8 (permalink)
wbritt Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Pinson, AL Posts: 16	driver's side Drivers side2 Passenger's side Both sides were completely rotted out around the body mount

09-06-2008, 12:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
Lysmachia Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 3,597	Is that POR you used? Yeah I am grinding underneath TC's truck right now and holy crap. I need a face shield!!! __________________ Molly aka Lysmachia 93 4 Runner SAS - All Fixed in Junk Yard Goodness Get your 4x4 VIDEO pr0n here

09-06-2008, 04:54 PM	#11 (permalink)
wbritt Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Pinson, AL Posts: 16	I'm trying to figure out POR?.? Bondo brand Resin and cloth from Wally World. Then sprayed with bedliner in a can...

09-06-2008, 04:57 PM	#12 (permalink)
slisdexia Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado Posts: 169	hmm 3 hours, 25 bucks... sign me up. what did you use, just regular fiberglass? __________________ I blame the automatic transmission for the wussification of America 1983 Toyota Pickup. 22r, 5 spd, 4x4, totally sweet chrome steelies and Big 0 mesas 235/75-15s And floor mounted speed holes but only 50k on the rebuild!

09-06-2008, 05:45 PM	#13 (permalink)
wbritt Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Pinson, AL Posts: 16	Yep. Cleaned the area very well, removed body mount bolt. you caneither cover the hole with foil or leave the bolt loose or put a different bolt in to protect the threads. Lay the cloth out and cut it to cover the opening. I put resin around the hole so the cloth would stick. Gently brush the resin on the cloth and repeat. The resin will drip through the cloth so yo might want to put something under the truck to keep it off the ground. The more cloth the stronger it will be. So that might adjust you cost.. Once it cures spray on the bedliner in a can. It took one can to do both side 2-3 coats. Call if you have questions 205-447-0093

09-06-2008, 08:26 PM	#14 (permalink)
slisdexia Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado Posts: 169	does anyone know where I can get a replacement floorpan for this truck? 83 yoter p/u I like the idea of fiberglass, just trying to do some research and I can't for the life of me remember what the name of that huge distributer of that stuff. national parts depot? __________________ I blame the automatic transmission for the wussification of America 1983 Toyota Pickup. 22r, 5 spd, 4x4, totally sweet chrome steelies and Big 0 mesas 235/75-15s And floor mounted speed holes but only 50k on the rebuild!

09-07-2008, 07:53 PM	#16 (permalink)
CJM Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Central NJ Posts: 4,580	Getting the sheetmetal formed to fit the floor isnt the hard part, its putting the ribs in which give it strength. Honestly if you can get a decent floor pan or take a trip to a yard its possible. Make sure you cut out extra metal.. Then do this: Cut out supports, using this glue stuff (I cant recall the name but bodymen use it alot, its strong as welding!), create supports with pieces of the metal, then glue them in then glue the pan in. It works, I repaired a rotted out bed with this method, and although it dont look pretty unless you do it slowly and prep and finish well it will hold up. __________________ 96' T100 SR5 4x4, ISR mod, Custom ABS snorkel, KC 57's Hella optilux el cheapo backup lights. Cobra 19III CB, Firestick 4ft antenna, Bilstein shocks. Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet.

09-07-2008, 09:07 PM	#17 (permalink)
slisdexia Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado Posts: 169	crap... I dunno if this is going to work. I have a crap load going on between school, work, motorcycle repair on the side and some other stuff I"m not going to put on the internet. Anyone want an 83 p/u? solid axles, 5 spd motor has under 50k since rebuild, little rust, the floor is the worst by far, spots over rear wheel wells, everything works except the radio $3000? __________________ I blame the automatic transmission for the wussification of America 1983 Toyota Pickup. 22r, 5 spd, 4x4, totally sweet chrome steelies and Big 0 mesas 235/75-15s And floor mounted speed holes but only 50k on the rebuild!

09-21-2008, 06:27 PM	#18 (permalink)
Rusker Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 20	No one sells floorpans for the 77 do they? I have smaller but similar rust spots as well.

09-21-2008, 09:08 PM	#21 (permalink)
Mic09dcsm Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: San Antonio Posts: 223	Damn, it seems if you live anywhere where it snows you need a welder and fabrication abilities to keep a vehicle over a decade or so. __________________ I tried I honestly did. I tried a non-Toyota forum, BIG mistake. It even was based in my town. Damn domestics off roaders are stoopid. Yotatech FTW!

09-21-2008, 10:17 PM	#22 (permalink)
Rusker Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 20