rusty floorboard

[tjdeerslayer37]

I don't know if this is in the right spot, if not will someone move it please?

Well my 91 ranger floor boards are a bit rusty, especially the driver side. I don't believe my windshield leaks because when I put my floormats up the firewall they don't get wet. Possibly the water running down the doors soaks through underneath? Its sitting in the driveway right now so its not me splashing in puddles. But the floor was definetely wet when I pulled up the carpet.

The screws that hold the trim on where the door shuts have pulled out and left 2 or 3 holes that you can see through but I just pulled those through today. Other than those holes there's one spot that is splie like 3 or 4 inches long that is rusted through.

Short of welding new plate onto the floor what can I do to fix up the rusty spots and the split? Im going to undercoat the whole inside floor once I fix the major rust but until then what should I do?

 

[Zachalanche]

check the top of your a pillars for cracks. that could be where water is getting in.

 

[Mark_88]

floor rust usually comes from leaks in either the windshield or seams...but it can also be from tracking snow and salt from the roads...

On a 91 it's pretty easy to pull everything apart and find the rust source...but it can take hours/days depending on your experience with it...and whether you use it for a DD...

My suggestion would be to pull the seats, pull the carpet and underpads and pop the kick panels out...that will give you an idea of how bad the rust is...

If there is any rust on the lower door post (near the bottom they rot out) then you may need to pull the dash and headliner to see if there is rust further up...

 

[Bubba Bob]

I would Rust Bullet and fiberglass the floor. Here's some work I did on a 72 Maverick over some rust holes. Look carefully for the fiberglass cloth.

 

[tjdeerslayer37]

wow that looks good!

thanks for the advice.

after really debating on the fiberglass i ended up getting some 16 guage steel sheet and cutting patches of it off. i then covered the bottom with construction adhesive (liquid nails basically) and i used some self tapping screws to attach the paches over the holes. worked pretty well. then i covered the patches and the whole floor with undercoat. im going to spray rustoleum flat black overtop of it tommorow. ill shoot some pics when i do that.

thanks again

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

I would Rust Bullet and fiberglass the floor. Here's some work I did on a 72 Maverick over some rust holes. Look carefully for the fiberglass cloth.

No fiberglass

The proper way to fig it is to cut out the rusted area and weld in new metal, then prime and paint. Fiberglass is will cause more issues in the long run.

This is what happens when someone just fiber glasses over some rust holes:

And this is how you fix it:

I'd love to meet the guy who fiberglass'd the floors in my mustang before I bought it...

 

[Deamers87ford]

hey what year is that mustang im workin on my dads 66 right now and i gotta weld in the new floors

 

[Bubba Bob]

The proper way to fig it is to cut out the rusted area and weld in new metal, then prime and paint. Fiberglass is will cause more issues in the long run.

That's what happens when someone uses standard fiberglass resin. Moisture get's trapped and the floor rusts out (as you know...).

However, Rust Bullet is an excellent rust inhibitor AND acts as a solid resin for fiberglass cloth. It won't rust your floor out...


EDIT -

Also, repairing Maverick floors isn't simple like it is for you Mustang guys - No one repops floor pans, so if it can be salvaged it is.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

hey what year is that mustang im workin on my dads 66 right now and i gotta weld in the new floors

Mine is a 72 coupe.