alan32433 Posted January 29, 2011 Report Posted January 29, 2011 A little update on a few things I've done lately with my 48 DeSoto. Bought tires from carpartjim on eBay. I got BF Goodrich silvertowns with 2 3/4inch whitewalls. His price was the same as Coker ($246) but shipping was cheaper at $19 per tire. The surprising thing was I ordered them Wednesday night, they were delivered today. I bought a replacement floorpan on eBay from classic2current. This is the removable section over the transmission, $250. They say it will require some trimming and it definitely does. The disappointing part is that the gas pedal stem hole is 1.5 inches off. I had to cut it open and will have to weld a patch in, then drill the hole to fit the rubber grommet. Only two of the mounting holes mate to the originals. That's not too big of a deal. The panel is actually cut and the hump has a separate piece that is spot welded in. It came totally unprimed. I'll have to use quite a bit of seam sealer on the joints, then prime and paint it. Last but not least, the original cover over the transmission electrical doesn't fit well and will need modification. My advice on this panel is that if you don't have one, or if yours is too rusted to repair, the $250 is probably worth it. But, expect a lot more than "trimming". I ordered quite a bit of stuff from restoration specialties. I got most of the order in about a week. The window channel has been on back order for about a month. What I did get was good quality stuff. Quote
P-12 Tommy Posted January 29, 2011 Report Posted January 29, 2011 For as much as you spend on a floor panel, wouldn't ya think they would make one that fits? Where do they get their template? That's balony!! Tom Quote
aero3113 Posted January 29, 2011 Report Posted January 29, 2011 (edited) I bought my front removable panel for my 50 Plymouth from Classic2Current also. It had to be trimmed and formed to fit correctly also had to drill some holes but I would say it was well worth it. Edited January 29, 2011 by aero3113 Quote
alan32433 Posted January 29, 2011 Author Report Posted January 29, 2011 The 48 DeSoto pan covers almost all the front floor board including the hump, it's a fairly large piece and pretty complicated to build. Even though I'm having to do a lot more than trimming, I'm still satisfied with it and left them positive feedback. On their behalf, they contacted me a few minutes ago and wanted to know which way to move the gas pedal stem hole so they can get it right, good on them for doing that. They obviously want to improve their product and I'm really glad there's someone out there making replacement stuff for our cars. Quote
Jerry Roberts Posted January 29, 2011 Report Posted January 29, 2011 It sounds like the vendor needs an old one to make a better pattern . Quote
suntennis Posted January 29, 2011 Report Posted January 29, 2011 After getting such a floor section for a 52 that was poorly made, I returned it and paid $100 plus more and got one from Plymouthdoctor. This panel was a perfect fit in all areas and worth the money. Quote
thrashingcows Posted January 29, 2011 Report Posted January 29, 2011 I`m so glad my 48 Desoto is so rust free. I just removed mine the other night and it`s still in darn near perfect shape! Only snapped a couple bolt heads off...but that can be fixed. But glad to hear that you can make the replacement work. And even with the extra trimming and modifications seems like it would be better, cheaper, and easier, then trying to find a rust free original. Quote
Bingster Posted January 29, 2011 Report Posted January 29, 2011 Speaking of a '48 Desoto floor pan . . . I have a '47 Desot and the pan is undoubtedly identical. Does anyone have a source for those bolts with the large washers that hold the pan down, or do we just make them up ourselves? Quote
DJ194950 Posted January 29, 2011 Report Posted January 29, 2011 i also bought one of those CHEAP covers on ebay. same co. though i only paid about $75 plus $20 shipping as i remember. junk in my opinion. same with other panels i got from them. cut them up for pieces only to make panels for foot areas. the piece your pics show is sitting outside in the rain. not even worth trying to make it fit. my orginal looks about as bad as yours, i'll just make my own repair pieces to repair. same amount of work, better results to be had. love those round oversize foot pedal openings??. supposed to be square to fit original seals that are avail. how about that nicely shaped hole for master cyl.?? not even close. mine looks even worse. don't even think about their rocker panels. not even close. bought some for my 49 suburban 3-4 years ago. time had passed and i didn't realise that they were the same company. never again. thanks for letting me get that off my chest. will finish floor panel work this spring. thank god the 50 4 dr. doesn't need rockers. now i know others make repair panels i'll always check with the forum being buying. tks doug Quote
alan32433 Posted January 29, 2011 Author Report Posted January 29, 2011 I installed the floor pan today in my 48 DeSoto, just to fit everything and drill new holes to mount it. I mentioned earlier that the gas pedal stem hole was too far to the left by 1 1/4". Well, the gas pedal mount holes (2) are also off by the same amount, I had to drill new holes to the right and patch up the other holes. Rather than welding in a new piece to cover the wrong stem hole, I drilled a new one and riveted (and glued) a 3/16" piece of rubber over the whole section. I drilled a 1/4" hole in the rubber for the stem to go through in place of what should have been a round grommet. I pulled it out after fitting it and fixing everything else that was wrong. Then I primed and painted it. It's drying now. So all in all, it's certainly better than the one I had (you could see through it). I emailed classic2current with the other things I found wrong. They indicated they would modify their pattern with the changes I suggested. Quote
thrashingcows Posted January 29, 2011 Report Posted January 29, 2011 Speaking of a '48 Desoto floor pan . . .I have a '47 Desot and the pan is undoubtedly identical. Does anyone have a source for those bolts with the large washers that hold the pan down, or do we just make them up ourselves? Those bolts with captured washers should be available on one of those "Bolt and Screw" racks they have at most auto parts stores. Not sure who makes, or supplies them in your area, but I know I've seen them on the local rack before. Or darn close enough in appearance to be good enough. I know I will be needing 10 or more so when I find them I'll post up the part number and maker/supplier. Quote
thrashingcows Posted January 30, 2011 Report Posted January 30, 2011 Just so those who don't know how big the removable pan is on the Desoto here's mine. And the big hole in the floor.... Quote
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