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Choice of floor pans
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heapes
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Joined: December 14, 2014
Posts: 3
Location: Southeast Georgia
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 14, 2014 5:21 pm    Post subject: Choice of floor pans Reply with quote

Hi everyone. I am new to this forum and new to working on VW's. I just recently saved a 1971 Marina Blue Convertible Super beetle from an older gentleman that started to scatter it but didn't get too far before losing interest. I am very capable at mechanic, body, painting, welding and metal fabrication work (thank God for fathers that teach their children). This beetle will be needing the rear 30-32 inches of each side of the floor pan. I would prefer to just replace the whole length. It seems that the pans available vary in quality greatly. So here is my question. What suppliers have any of you had experience purchasing pans from and what do you think of the fit and quality? I am considering the heavier gauge (18gauge) pans that some sell. How do they fit and do you all think it really makes a difference over the 20 gauge? They are considerably more expensive but I would like it right.

This Beetle could also use a new front and rear apron if anyone has had any experience with the reproduction panels. Seems that the general consensus is that the reproductions are poor at best. Thus, I will likely repair my originals unless someone has experience to the contrary.

Thanks for any help you can provide.
Stephen
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johnr156
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Joined: April 06, 2013
Posts: 144
Location: Dixon, Ca.
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PostPosted: Sun Dec 14, 2014 7:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I just finished replacing the pans in my 66. I purchased them from Wolsburg West and couldn't be happier with them. They are I believe oem thickness and fit perfectly without any modifications to them. I just dropped them in and welded.
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Q-Dog
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Joined: April 05, 2010
Posts: 8689
Location: Sunset, Louisiana
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 5:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wolfsburg West has the best you can get today. They come without the rear cross braces attached so they can ship in a smaller box. This is a good thing as the rear cross braces on your chassis are better than the new ones (try to keep your originals if you can).

You may need to trim them for the perfect fit. A convertible has less margin for error than a hardtop so I suggest you make sure the body fits before you weld the pans up.
_________________
Brian

'69 Dune Buggy
'69 Beetle Convertible
'70 Beetle
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SmaK
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Joined: November 16, 2014
Posts: 99
Location: Ventura, CA
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 24, 2014 3:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just like the other two said Wolfburg West. I just replaced mine two weeks ago and had the old ones out and new ones installed in less than four hours. When I used the plasma cutter the smoke covered my measurements on one side. So prior two welding them in I sat the shell back on to ensure the holes lined up. I only had to make one fix and the holes lined right up; which the correction was on the side I could read the measurements.
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