rust

[green71fj]

has any here successfully replaced the main support beam on a 40? if so how hard was it?

 

[TLCHopII]

Main support beam? Are we dealing with the below floor support that runs across the vehicle below the "a" pillar?
then yes! On that vehicle, I was not at all concerned with being historically accurate though.

 

[green71fj]

talking about the 4in beam located where the mid bed and the front floor come together.

 

[JohnnyC]

we used a 1/4" square stock on my rig...works great

 

[pb4ugo]

I cut out the existing sheet metal that makes up that channel from underneath the body(my tub was off the frame)all the way across. Then had a buddy break a piece of 1/8" sheetmetal in to C channel to the dimensions of the open cavity where the rotted out channel was. My floor was in good shape. I gusseted the C channel on both ends and serveral spots along its length so it would not collapse. I attached the channel to the tub by the bolt holes for the seat pillars. I then used body bushings between the C channel and the frame and used bolts and locknuts to attach to the frame. The vertical part of the step under the seats was rotted out also so I made an aluminum sheet metal fascia and attached w/bolts and caulk and alum angle iron to hide the upper exposed seam. It turned out great.

Edit: I installed the C channel so the openning is towards the back so it will no longer hold moisture & mud/dirt can be easily hosed out.

 

[green71fj]

c channel i never thought of that