The floor
of the vehicle is made of 3/4" plywood sections. The plywood sections are
bonded and pop riveted to the floor sub-structure and the panels of heavy-duty
floor insulation. The floor insulation panels fit within the lateral cross
members of the sub-structure, Figure 36. Both, insulation panels and Wheel plywood
sections can be replaced; however, repair of plywood floor is more practical
and is corrected later in this section. The engine cover, the only section
designed to be removed, is located between the driver and passenger seat and is
secured by alip in the front and two screw attachments at each rear corner. Housings
and Floor The front wheel houses are made of plastic polyethylene
while the rear wheel houses are fiber glass.
The front
housings are repairable or replaceable if damaged. The rear housings are
repairable of damaged. The entire under-floor area has been sprayed with a rust
preventative and sealer undercoating.
Figure 36
REMOVAL
1. Remove
six (6) screws securing housing to fiberglass wheel opening.
2. Remove
one (1) bolt securing housing to floor support.
3. Remove
wheel housing.
INSTALLATION
1.
Install and position wheel housing.
2.
Install one (1) bolt securing housing to floor support.
3.
Install six (6) screws to secure housing to fiberglass wheel opening.
PLYWOOD FLOOR
CAUTION: Before drilling, sawing,
chiseling etc. the plywood be sure damage will not occur to components directly
under the floor.
A thorough inspection of the damaged floor area should be
made before attempting any repair. The damaged area should be replaced with ¾ inch
exterior grade plywood. It is not necessary to replace an entire section but
this will depend on the location and the extent of the damage. All sections are
secured to the supports with pop-rivets. Any pop-rivet may be removed by
drilling into the center of the rivet with a 3/16" drill bit. Drill approximately
1/8" deep and with a punch tap into this hole to drive the rivet shaft
out.
CAUTION: Care must be taken to properly seal
any seams or joints resulting from floor section replacement or repair. Exhaust
gases, dust, water etc. will leak past any seam or joint not caulked.
The
underside surfaces of new plywood must be coated with a wood preservative.
Panels of
heavy duty floor insulation fit inside the lateral cross members of the floor
sub-structure (optional on TransMode vehicles). The insulation consists of
rigid polyurethane foam panels bonded to an aluminum protective skin and, in
turn, bonded to the sub-structure and plywood floor. Care should be used in
repairing plywood floor so as not to damage the insulation package. The
insulation panels are replaceable if damaged.
CAUTION: Urethane foam is a flammable material.
Welding near insulation may result
in damage to insulation and/or
vehicle.
This
removable floor section is made of one inch plywood. A seal is secured to the
underside of the cover with an adhesive and staples. A damaged gasket should be
replaced using a suitable adhesive and staples. The rear corners of the cover
are secured by screwing the bolt into a clip nut mounted to the cover frame.
Proper operation of this fastener is important to allow the cover seal to make
good contact with the frame. Fasteners are replaceable and are held in place with
two wood screws. Peel back the carpeting from the corner as required to gain
access to wood screws. The clip nut is a standard hardware item and is replaceable.
If the fastener is replaced apply some adhesive to the cover to hold the carpet
in place at the corners.
As
mentioned previously, rear wheelhouses are constructed of fiberglass and are
repairable. Any repair to the wheelhouses should be done with fiberglass patch
and epoxy adhesive. Use as sufficient amount of adhesive to insure an air seal between
the inside and the outside of the vehicle. Be sure to follow precautions and
procedures given later in this section on repairing fiberglass components.