Ebay Floor Panels

Has anyone tried these? The price seems too good to be true.

1951-1975 JEEP CJ5 & M38A FLOOR PAN NEW 18 GAUGE PAIR | eBay

 

It's just sheet metal. I bought a near identical set for my 62 for like 40 bucks or something

 

Usual recommended supplier is Classic Enterprises. Classic Jeep Body Parts - Made in USA | Classic Enterprises If I wanted shaped panels, that would be my first stop.

If there's no fancy shaping needed (as for these floor pans), I'd check with my local steel supply and see how much a half-sheet of 18 ga mild steel costs. Here's an article about which steel to buy: https://www.oldcarsweekly.com/restoration/metalworking-101-fundamentals-of-fabrication You can make floor panels with hand tools.

 

Classic Enterprises at least stamps the body mount angle at the floor riser, but the original drivers side floor is made in two pieces, not a single sheet, and has a strengthening rib embossed near the trans floor plate.
The forward section of the original floor has an embossed depression just rearward of the throttle pedal. The rear section is under the fuel tank, with a seam running just forward of the bottom front edge of the tank. The floor is constructed this way because the CJ5 is based on the M38a-1 that had a larger fuel tank, and required a "well" for the extra capacity. The civvy Jeep omitted the tank well and used a flat panel for that section of floor, resulting in a two-piece floor panel for the drivers side.
I'm not aware of any manufacturer the offers correctly stamped panels for proper repairs for our CJs, but Midwest Military does stamp the proper foward section of floor (for an M38a-1), and I believe, will supply a flat panel to replace the tank well section. Their floor also includes the double drain hole with the threaded slug to retain the drain cover. It all depends on how correctly you want to repair your Jeep.
For the most part, the commonly advertised floor repair panels are not much more than flat 18ga sheetmetal.
-Donny

 

Donny am I correct in my analysis of the floor of my tub that 100% of the RH and LH panels and supports are a shade tree repair? The panels are 1/8” and there’s bondo on the top seams.



to the OP : I have ordered the classic floor panels and supports and will advise how they fit in when I receive them, if that would help.

 

The center raised tunnel area and toolbox floor look to be original. The center tunnel hat channel and about 10" of the hat channel under the toolbox looks original too.
The drivers side floor looks pretty well repaired, as well as the rectangular tube replacing the hat channel looks pretty good too. Not original, but a good functional repair. Are you trying to repair for a solid usable Jeep, or are you trying to restore everything to original?
-Donny

 

This is my M38a1 body. I used Classic Enterprises floor supports and floor panels. Classic panels are very good quality.

 

I’m definitely going to replace the RH floor & supports since it’s so bad. The drivers side is pretty pitted on the top but as you said might be functional.



I guess I’ll have to see if I can splice the two kinds of supports together...Overall I’m going for safety/useability and not 100% restoration...but I’m of the mindset that if I’m going this far maybe I should just put it back to the way it should be?

 

I know I’m totally not that happy about undoing someone’s quality repair...Under the toolbox is completely rotted away though it’s actually framed inside with diamond plate....

I think I’m going to try and put some Oak in the new channels too - woodworking is something where I actually have some skills!

 

I have been known as a stickler for details, but I haven't replaced the oak in the hat channels. It just invites moisture and rust, in my opinion.
I have overdrilled the body mount holes and welded in a short stubs of pipe to keep crushing sheetmetal when snugging the body holddown bolts. I have also used Panel Bond to glue in a 10" channel reinforcements in the hat channel before welding it to the floor.
-Donny

 

I too would shy away from putting any wood in channels
a donny said a spacer works

 

What was the thinking back then of doing that? It’s pretty fascinating...

 

The wood was a cheap way to the keep the channels from collapsing when the body bolts are tightened. Most people now-of-day weld a piece of tubing in the bolt holes to accomplish the same task. Doesn't hold in moisture like the wood blocks.

I'm pretty sure the Classic Enterprises braces come with tubing already in place for this.

 

I didn’t replace the hat channels on my floor but only time will tell if it was a mistake.

 

Another company that reproduces some very good (and probably most accurate) floors and hat channels is MidWest Military up in Prior Lake, MN. I suspect they supply their products to some of the other parts sellers.
-Donny

 

You can always fill them with epoxy or urethane.

 

Oak is a leftover from the original Jeeps. This is why the supports and floors rot out from inside the support channels.
My experience with Classic Enterprises has also been good. As soon as I have a chance to get my new to me tub sand later and evaluated all my repair panels will be from them. Good quality and fit and finish.