M2 - question on frame side brackets

[Tom @ Snake River]

Slowly working on the bed in the M2.    The info you guys have posted is invaluable.   Question is, I am sure this is a no-brainer.
On the frame there are six brackets that bolt on for the floor.
On top of the six brackets are the 3 - 2" angle cross members.   And then the 16 ga inner box panels go on top of these.
I assume that the 2" angles are bolted to the side brackets,  BUT, in a lot of the pictures, I do not see the 1/2 " bolt head showing in the bottom of the side box ? ?
They sould have to be drilled into the bottom of the inner boxes ?

[steve1973]

Let me see if I can help ypu since I did my floor last year. The six brackets you are refering two are the center three on either side. Of the three, the center bracket is reversed and swapped from the other side. Their are two more at the very rear that mount on top of the frame and then the front two mount in front of thr drive axle where the front vertical floor panel mounts to. See photo.



Don and I used grade 8 button head bolts and mechanical locking nuts to fasten the six center brackets to the frame as the original ones were rivited.



As for the three angle cross members, those are actually part of the sheet metal floor section that is welded or spot welded together.



The holes are slotted front to back for adjustment where the six brackets, if I remember right, ar sloted side to side. I don't have a good photo of this hany right now but can get you what ever photos and measurements needed. Just let me know what you need or call me, 541-194-2916, and we can arange a time for me to be at my shop reading off measurements to you. I did this for another member two years ago. He built his floor from scratch and did a great job. Here is his link http://halftrackinfo.com/index.php?topic=562.0. You can also look at this link http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=217204 for the posts I did on my track. As for the bolts I don't remember what size I used 1/2" or 7/16". I can get this info next time I'm at the shop and phots of them in the floor. The bolts are visible from the floor inside but are in the storage area undernith the troop seats in the back. Here are some more shots of my floor.





Hope this helps for now.

Steve A.

[Outsider]

Tom,
  As steve1973 stated, and to clarify(maybe). The side seat boxes are bolted using 1/2" bolts to the 6 frame brackets. They are sandwiched between the cross-member angle iron and the angle iron that is bolted length wise to the track armor as shown in Steve's pictures. The original floors were built with a lot of "adjustment" room in the parts, i.e. oversized and / or elongated holes.

  FYI, On the M3 there are about 108 pieces that make up the rear seat / floor system not including any armor pieces.

Steve

[Tom @ Snake River]

Hopefully here a pic where I am at.   I am welding the boxes to the angle cross members making sure they align with the holes in the brackets.
I will then lay in the two side seat sections and then tack welding them in the proper position.
I assume that the angle iron that bolts to the vertical track armor is spot welded to the 16 ga bottom pan of the seat sections.
After everything is spot welded in, then you would have to flip the assembly over on its top and drill the holes through the floor pan section.
I have jigged in the vertical and horizontal track armor to check for alignment and height.
If you guys think I am doing this bass ackwards, it is usually how I do things. lol

[Outsider]

You are correct that the seat trays were originally spot welded to the angle iron that runs along the track armor, But you don't have to weld them together as they will sit like they should without the welding. That will enable you to do adjustments later if you need to.

Steve

[spec4don]

If you look at my thread on my M3 I"m installing the floor right now. What I can tell you is don't weld anything untill you get it all put together. Steve is right you WILL need to adjust as you go. Even the parets I've bolted in I've had to loosen up and readjust. Once it's all together you can go back and weld. You might even want to drive it around a little and let everything settle in.

My 2 cents

Don G.

[steve1973]

Here are some more photos on my floor and the mounting bolts. The shinny bolts are the 1/2" mounting bolts.



Looking back


Looking forward


Rear floor to frame bracket






hope these help,

Steve A.