What I Learned about Floors!

[geodon]

1. Fit first, dismantle & paint, then fit again later. They don't go back they way they came out!


2. Cage nuts are best. There are some M8 stainless steel on eBay. They double as mudguard mounts also.

LAND ROVER DEFENDER STNLS FRONT WING NUT & BOLT KIT x2 | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LAND-ROVER-DEFENDER-STNLS-FRONT-WING-NUT-BOLT-KIT-x2-/220361212237?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item334e8d414d)

BUT, with a non standard engine (Holden) , the line up is often off, leading to:

3. Rivnuts.

VERY seductive but they can be a PITA if they fail, i.e. they turn in the hole. They can be steel, but they will rust & sieze. Stainless is attractive but if one of them fails, it's wrist slashing time. I went therefore for aluminium BUT always put a tap thru them to clean up as the threads will distort easily during installation.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/06/404.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/06/405.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/06/406.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/06/407.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/06/408.jpg

The mats are ex Clarke Rubber. That's 5mm thick treadplate pattern- lovely heavy stuff. $89pm & 750mm will do 2 mats. I used a wad cutter to give the mounting bolts a recess

[stevep]

well done - it looks great[thumbsupbig]. i like the mats & will keep them in mind for mine.

Steve

[gromit]

Those mats look familiar....

Check out post #13 :-
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/series-i-land-rover-enthusiasts-section/46683-getting-series-1-ready-cooma-2.html

The heat from the engine/exhaust warming the floor makes the smell of rubber a bit overpowering for a while, eventually it goes.

Colin

[geodon]

Well shoot, Colin!

I'm getting a loooong history of "re-inventing the wheel"!

[JDNSW]

Just to complete the picture, I used Clark Rubber's matting with broad, shallow ribs about an inch apart. As Colin comments, the smell does go away.

John