DIY floor pans.
If you think I'm the "mopar police" or some "high rolling restoration God" you've obviously never seen my cars, because they make most purists cry. Every single one of your rebuttals is 100% bullshit- yes, will make it worse, and yes, it is UNSAFE. You don't know me, you don't know my background or my finances. My advice is based on being in the same exact position as the OP in the past. And it's based on dealing with repairs made by mouth-breathing dipshits that had no business even trying and who did more damage than was originally there. And finally, its based on having a damn degree in engineering, so you better believe I know about structural integrity and how fiberglass to replace a structural floor member is just stupid. My Challenger looks like a patchwork quilt of repair panels, many of which I made myself and others where I bought only partial sections. Having done all of that, if I had to do it again, I would save longer and buy full panels for about 90% of those repairs.
Fiberglass is a bullshit "repair". Period. It has nothing to do with money, because you can make a perfectly sound temporary repair with 18g sheet metal and sheet metal screws. Throw your sheet metal screws in every 3-4" around the edge, do the same anywhere you pass over a subframe or stiffener, and you'll have a repair that is similar in strength to a properly spot welded replacement pan. Seam seal it on the edges and it will last for years. You don't need a welder for that, and it will probably cost less than a fiberglass repair. Not only that, if you do it right it will keep water out and prevent further rust in the meantime.
Throwing money at cheap, incorrect repairs will always bite you. Every time. I've done it and I regret every time I did. You waste money in the short term to spend more money in the long term because you're screwing it up. If money is tight, be smart with it. Don't waste money on temporary repairs that will make the situation worse. That doesn't mean you can't do anything, it means don't be stupid. I don't care how many people have used fiberglass in the past to repair a floor board, it was stupid every single time it was done on anything other than a fiberglass body. If everyone jumped off a bridge does that make it smart? Sure doesn't.
18g metal, sheet metal screws every 3-4" around the edge and anywhere there's a structural member. You can do all the forming with a 2x4 and a dead blow hammer and make a repair that will last for years with a little seam sealer. It won't be pretty, but it will be 100% functional. No welder, no fancy tools, very little required skill and just as cheap. And when you've saved up you can just unscrew the sheet metal screws and install the proper panel. Easy.
You're talking about bodywork bud. Floorpans on a unibody are structural. Fiberglass is not acceptable. Ever.
Ok donkey, this is the last amount of energy I'm going to waste on conversing with you.
So, my rebuttals are 100% bullshit? I think anyone, really looking at them objectively, would accept that my responses were cognizant, informed, and reasonable. But, I get that you are probably used to most people in your life just accepting your vitriol without debate. Simply because they find it easier to acquiesce and move on, rather than squander their life in a constant pettifog with you.
Alas, that ain't me... but, I will say, that the repair scenario you laid out regarding the 18g & sheet metal screws is a good one. It's doable for a guy on a budget, and who maybe doesn't have any welding equipment. If you would have simply stated that as an alternative to fiberglass, originally, I would have had no problem with it. Just differing opinions, nothing more. I wish you would have posted that, instead of making the OP (who clearly stated his financial limits) look like he shouldn't even own his car if he can't do it your way. But, you don't seem to have the ability to reply with any dignity or decorum. I've noticed many of your posts, to other members, usually have a righteous and pretentious tone. Like yours is the ONLY opinion that could possibly be worth considering. But, I guess we should all count ourselves lucky to have your infinite wisdom to draw from.
So, you're an engineer. Guess what numbnuts, so am I. I can only assume you are in Civil/Structural or Mechanical. In all your bridge and road building courses, you guys never learned that there are MANY ways to solve the same problem. It's gotta be done the one same way, every time, or it's unsafe, right? Please elaborate on how some fiberglass in a floor pan makes a car not roadworthy. In one floor pan. We're talking about 5% of the overall structural integrity of the vehicle. That is hardly catastrophic failure territory. Once again, I'm not saying fiberglass is a correct, long term fix, because it's not. I'm just wondering if you can explain why it's sooooooo completely dangerous and civically irresponsible. Convince me and then, together, we can educate all of the "
mouth-breathing dipshits that had no business even trying" how to repair their cars the way you've deemed acceptable.
You are correct... I don't know you and your history. Thank the Good Lord above for small miracles.
Oh, and I love how you claim to not be the "mopar police" and then you proceed to respond to MoparMike1974 with "
Fiberglass is not acceptable. Ever." Do you even hear yourself?
You give Cali a bad name. Luckily, I know a bunch of CA car guys and they are all beauties, so I won't let one clown taint my opinion.
And, hey, if you any issues with what I'm saying... give you balls a tug and bring your happy *** down to Texas. I'm sure we can hash it out, with a robust discussion.