Fiberglass floor pan opinions

droff85 · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2015 2:49 pm Post subject: Fiberglass floor pan opinions

I just bought a 74 that was being restored and the owner cheaper out and bought fiberglass pans for it. What do you guys think I should do. Remove them and put metal pans in? Try to reinforce them somehow? Also how do you mount the seats to fiberglass pans? Any advice is appreciated.

Ron Domeck · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2015 3:14 pm Post subject:

Not just the seat tracks but the seatbelts mounted to the floors. If you are not using stock seats you could make mounts from the tunnel to the rockers. Also if you plan on a roll bar, mounts to the pan also. Put metal in.

DuaneL · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2015 4:14 pm Post subject:

from glass-actions website in their instructions for fiberglass floors
If your seat tracks are in good shape, and you will use your original seats, cut around them, leaving the tracks completely intact. The new floor will underlap underneath the seat track area, with maybe a slight bow underneath. It is almost impossible to remove VW original seat tracks, and then replace them lined up well enough to make the seats work right again. (See notes below on other options for seat applications)

NOTE: For those of you, who need to use new seats, (or would rather have the nice cushy ones that recline, etc.) - Two pieces of 1 ½" angle iron can be welded from the shift tunnel to the door frame, like an upside sown "L". One piece goes across the front of the seat, the other across the back. Drill holes for the seat's bolts to go thru. New after market seats (Scatt etc.) or seats from other cars (Nissan, Honda, Toyota, etc.) can be bolted to the angle iron. This is safer, as in the event of an accident, you are anchored to the frame and strength of the VW, rather than to the floor, metal, or not. This is also much easier and less expensive than reattaching original seat tracks.

and as to seat belts aren't the mounts on the tunnel and body not the floor?
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Semper_Dad · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2015 4:54 pm Post subject:

droff85 · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2015 5:16 pm Post subject:

Well if I were to buy. New pans I would definitely go with steel ones. But since these were already installed I may just use them. I can fab something better than just angle iron to mount the seats to and incorporate the seat belt mounts and possibly tie them into a roll cage as well. I was just worried about strength and the ease of mounting seats. I know it's not a 100% correct restore nor will it ever be while I own it but I just didn't want to do something unconventional that would make it difficult or undesirable to a potential buyer if I ever sold it.

Ron Domeck · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2015 5:39 pm Post subject:

Were is the cage attached to?

droff85 · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2015 6:30 pm Post subject:

Currently doesn't have one. I could make some mounts that attached to the body and tunnel that would incorporate the seat rails or sliders and also seat belt mounts.

GI Joe · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2015 6:51 pm Post subject:

Droff85,
Was this Thing you got out of Atlanta? Or thereabouts?
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