Box Section "Floor" Repair

[jharrellh]

Been away for a while with work distractions, but started back on welding our convertible tonight. It is a solid car with no sag or rusty sills, but a bad hood and years of neglect (prior to my watch!) have caused the entire "floor" of the box section to dissolve. I have replaced the RR spring hanger and made up panels to patch the vertical edges of the box section (heel panel). However, I am at a loss for a tidy way to replace the portion of the floor covered by the box...can it be that none of the vendors sell what must be a commonly needed panel? Does anyone know of a source? I hate to use flat sheet to close it up, but I suppose I could try to make up a hammerform to create the square reinforcement pattern. Open to any and all suggestions!

[Willie]

Are you referring to the box section upon which the rear seat squab sits?

[jharrellh]

Yes, the section that supports the back seat. I am looking for the section of the floorpan normally covered by the box that fills with water when you have a leak! The floor repair panels I have seen only fit the area between the main central crossmember and the vertical portion of the box section...our is rusted out badly in the area that is covered by this section.

Thanks!
James

[Willie]

As far as I know the repairer has to fashion this section for themself. Not too
difficult once you have made up a template but complicated by the fact that
the spring hangar brackets are under this area.

[rayofleamington]

I have also wondered why you can't get a panel for this area as it is a common rot trap.
Flat sheet is not a 'tidy' way to fix it but it does the job. I have (on some cars) used an off-cut from a replacement floor pan to match the pressings in this area 'fairly neatly'. However some metal bashing is required as the indents are either longer or shorter depending on which bit of floor pan you use as a donor section.

[jharrellh]

Thanks Ray, I think that is a good solution! I've just been out to the garage with a tape measure and I think that a portion of a rear floorpan is the way to go. Thanks to all for your replies!

James