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Wed Jul 31, 2013 6:18 am

Going to start the replacement of my front floors today ('67). My plan is to photo document it in this thread because there's really not a lot out there to refer to. Feel free to comment, critique, guide me, etc. I'm completely new to welding and have never really torn out old metal either...your experienced guidance is VERY welcome.

Wed Jul 31, 2013 6:25 am

Good for you Ken, my front floor needs to be replaced so I will be following your thread. Are you doing the complete floor or left and right sections?? Good luck.

Wed Jul 31, 2013 6:32 am

Whole floor... Funky Green from Bogota. Arrived yesterday.

Wed Jul 31, 2013 7:27 am

Looks fine as long as the mats are in:

Wed Jul 31, 2013 7:28 am

Driver's side is the best side:

Wed Jul 31, 2013 7:29 am

It's the Flintstones!

Wed Jul 31, 2013 8:00 am

I need to replace my floor also but I was told the front (inner/outer valance and headlight stengthener) should be tackled first.

Wed Jul 31, 2013 8:33 am

KILLERWATT wrote: I need to replace my floor also but I was told the front (inner/outer valance and headlight stengthener) should be tackled first.

Guess it also depends on how "restored" you wanna get. I'm nor gonna scrimp on safety or serious structural issues, but it'll be a pretty funky driver when "finished". The outer valance isn't bad. The inner is toasty in spots. Every above it looks pretty nice. Looks like I'm going to have to do some dogleg, the bottom of what I assume id the "A" pillar, and some inner valance.

Wed Jul 31, 2013 8:34 am

Wed Jul 31, 2013 10:04 am

Wed Jul 31, 2013 10:11 am

Thanks for making this thread, I really need to replace my front floor too.

Wed Jul 31, 2013 10:12 am

Still haven't figured out how the heater tube comes apart to allow the floor to slip over it. Help?

Wed Jul 31, 2013 10:14 am

otis_bartleh wrote: Thanks for making this thread, I really need to replace my front floor too.

Glad to help out. I started looking for a good thread on doing it, and there really isn't a great one. Some threads show a few shots of floors being replaced along with other work, but not much detail. Even Everett couldn't find much. Hopefully with my shots, many questions and mutual problem solving, we'll establish a good "sticky" on bus floor replacement.

Wed Jul 31, 2013 10:18 am

On a '67 floor I took out there were a couple spot welds where the heater tube comes up through the floor and attaches to the piece that goes straight up to the dash, an inch or 2 above the floor. I ground those down and pulled the tube out the bottom.

I was working with a hacked front clip so the tube wasn't attached under the floor so you might have to separate that first.

Pic I made of spot welds:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=235230

After - obviously not exactly what you are doing:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=235859

Wed Jul 31, 2013 10:18 am

kenshapiro2002 wrote: Driver's side is the best side:

Turned out NOT to be true. It was worse, so the PO had welded, glued and tarred in another layer of metal which was also rusted out.

Wed Jul 31, 2013 10:21 am

EverettB wrote: On a '67 floor I took out there were a couple spot welds where the heater tube comes up through the floor and attaches to the piece that goes straight up to the dash, an inch or 2 above the floor. I ground those down and pulled the tube out the bottom.

I was working with a hacked front clip so the tube wasn't attached under the floor so you might have to separate that first.

Thanks...needed that!

Wed Jul 31, 2013 10:24 am

kenshapiro2002 wrote: Hopefully with my shots, many questions and mutual problem solving, we'll establish a good "sticky" on bus floor replacement.

Yeah, might end up being a good one for the FAQ. That first pic Everett posted was just the one I was looking for regarding the heater tube, he's quick!

Wed Jul 31, 2013 10:26 am

Must be a retired old fart like I am!

Wed Jul 31, 2013 3:24 pm

Here's a link to a floor I did on a 67 Westy:

Pt.1 http://www.bulliklinik.com/2012/09/waynes-67-westy.html

Pt.2 http://www.bulliklinik.com/2012/09/waynes-67-westy-part-2-nose.html

Hope this helps and good luck with your project!

Wed Jul 31, 2013 5:10 pm

Thanks Mike. How'd you get the heat tube outta the way?