Roach's body is up.... starting on the pans
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If you want pans with no Frankenstein welds in them, you might try these
https://www.airkewld.com/Short...lves-1400-p/1400.htm
Wow, that looks easier, cool.
At $1,104 that near 10x the cost of replacement pans! I could maybe see if they had a recessed pan area. I've seen VW pans cut on a zig-zag vs just a diagonal cut and they look great.
I didn't see how much shorter they are.
When replacing try to get the 18 gauge which is what came originally on them. Nowadays a lot of paper thin ones get offered; you can always tell by the price. Wolfsburg West has some quality replacement steel parts; might be worth checking them out as well.
Yes, 18 Guage it will be.
There are several different ways to slice the pan for shortening - some are quick, some weak and some artistic. The CMC manuals covers a diagonal cut which leave unmatch indents and requires some hammering. A Z cut ends up looking nice and is strong.
Here's article covering different methods.
While I like the thicker pans (for bug restorations) - I wouldn't spend a lot more for them for a kit car. You aren't going to be in rain and snowy slush, or salt covered streets. You can powder coat/POR15/Bed liner coat them - methods not available in '50-70's. The steel perimeter frame is way over engineered for strength and you'll still want to add steel for seats and seat belts. If you add a dropped seat area that too will strenthen the pan.
Wow have they gone up in price! .85 mm is $220 (per side) and 1.1mm is $240 plus oversize shipping (CIP1 says free shipping). You might want to consider the 1/2 of a full side since you have to cut anyhow. You'd save $50 each side and perhaps easier to work with since no jack point or seat rails to remove and toss.
Yeah, I get it on the pans. Personally I wont use anything but the 18 guage.. The chassis I have, 1969, is already shortened and the body was mounted to it, well kind of. The last guy welded pans over old pans which all rusted since. I can "fix" this chassis with new pans and will probably replace the "napoleon hat" while I'm at it.
