Hi all, hope we are all well.

just wandering what do most people use for materials for the floor panels in ulsters? And how do they reinforce them? my panel has been used to much and is starting to bend though and the only method i can think of is to put a piece of angle iron and bolt it to the floor for structural strength (which i think is ugly). does anybody have any other ideas

any ideas welcome

ollie

ps: just to clarify my currect floor is made from one piece of flat aluminium

I believe that original Ulsters had the floors made from 18Ga. steel.

Location: North Vancouver, Canada

Ollie, if it were not for the battery box getting in the way I would suggest a couple of pieces of timber (2"X2" maybe) longitudinally, sitting on front and rear cross members underneath the floor, supporting each side of the transmission tunnel. Even one on the driver's side would help. Can you adapt that idea in any way?
Regards,
Stuart

stuart

i think thats quite a good idea im going to see if i can fit it in this weekend

thanks

ollie

On my pretend Ulster I attached a 3/4" tube each side under the floor next to the transmission tunnel,supported at each end by brackets off the front and rear crossmembers.

Location: Sheffield

Hi Ollie.

I used to have a problem with the Pearl's floor bending under the passenger's feet, due to a restorer in the past having used plain sheet to repair it. The swage lines in the original really do increase it's stifffness. My repair solution was to get some galvanised "Herringbone Joist Struts" from Wickes. Look up HSA 400, 450 or 600. These are long metal strips about an inch wide with a preformed swage line. I stitch bolted them to the underside of the floor with a series of small countersunk screws and nuts (I don't have a welder). A big improvement for a small outlay, and hardly visible once painted.

Location: New Forest

My special has a plywood floor but I have wooden supports under it that sit on the chassis rails. I believe this is similar to what Stuart mentions. I described it here: http://www.asciimation.co.nz/austin7/?p=575



They attach to the floor, not the chassis.

Simon

Location: Wellington

I think it is quite normal for the steel floor panels in Austin 7's to flex a bit. On my Ulster I added an extra pair of steel brackets fixed on top of the rear X-member either side of the transmission tunnel. These help support the floor under your backside where it is most needed. I also fixed a couple of pieces of 2" x 1" hardwood across the floor to retain the seat bases. This also helps stiffen the floor. Then fit some rubber matting and you don't need to worry about it!