Need help from those who have done a full floor pan replacement

[sfoster13]

I'm replacing the floor pans in my 71 and I bought the two sections from the S company. What's the right way to join the two panels? Do you overlap them or cut them to fit flush. Here are some pictures to illustrate what I mean:

Here are the two sections with the rear on the left and you can see the duplicate area that is a flat channel that runs north to south on both panels in this picture





Are they supposed to overlap like this?







Or should I cut the two sections so they are flush and the right length?

[Flieger]

I believe it is proper to trim so there is about an inch of overlap, then use a flange tool to make one panel lower than the other for a level surface after the weld in dressed.

[mcaterino]

Sean,

I don't know if there's any 'supposed to', but I cut about 3 inches off the front of the rear, which left me with about one inch of overlap. I had a rear Stod.. half and a front RD half (it extended further into the footwell, which I liked), so your total overlap may be different. The overlap let me drill holes (while trial fitted) and bolt the two together, to maintain the alignment and help make them flush for welding (which I did out of the car). I nested the rear over the front, to avoid a forward-facing seam that might catch water and debris. I also ended up welding both sides of the overlap, for extra strength. It was easy welding, and a stronger joint than just a single butt weld would have been. Then at the end I just welded up the bolt holes.

I have just a few pics, if you want to see, but you can probably understand what I mean from the above.

Good luck,
Mike

PS - Flieger posted while I was writing. I guess we agree. I didn't bother flangeing the panels though.

[sfoster13]

great - thanks guys