M38 Front Floor with Braces

[Andysm38]

Hi,

I am new here and will be picking up my M38 next weekend. In my research thus far I found quite a few suppliers of body panels, but I was wondering if any of you have used the front flooring with braces welded in place already for the M38. I saw it on kaiserwillys website ($689.99). I will also need to replace both cowl side panels with the steps and the passenger side rear quarter panel.

It seems like there is quite a bit of a difference in opinion about various suppliers, but I am very interested in hearing your experiences, especially with regards to the front floor.

Also - need fuel tank (and everything else that goes with it, tool compartment etc)

Was hoping to insert a picture here, but haven't quite figured out how to do that!

Thanks for your help!

Andy

[G740]

I know I am biased here, but if you value your jeep at all, you will not use the import panels. I make new floor pans and hat channels here in the US and I will guarantee the quality and fit. Ask around, you will find that what I say is true. I can also guarantee that if you try to use the import piece you will fight it all the way. It is not stamped anywhere close to original.
John
Midwest Military, Inc.

[Bobber]

I bought my rear bumper set from Midwest and it fit perfectly. I'll be ordering more as soon as the money tree blooms. I've purchased parts from other places and I wasn't very happy with the fit.

[rgmutchler]

In this section, M Series parts supply and review, there are some evaluations of different suppliers and parts. Midwest Military and Classic Enterprises make some very good parts that fit, I have used both of their products and been pleased. Read the reviews and it might help you decide on a course of action.

[dauntless]

MidWest floor pans, were exact copy die stamped to look like 38 original's everything else like the center floor section and driver's seat was right on the money when bolted down. Jerry

[Bretto]

I know you wouldn't be dissapointed with John's products, he is not tooting his own horn. Everyone wants and needs to make money, but I think the company you mention is more about making money than supplying a quality product.
In the other boat, if you are apt to do things yourself, you can make your own floors. I just bought 16g sheet and cut my own. I then had the same sheet metal shop, brake me up some hat channels lengths and I cut them to fit as needed. This was going on 3 years ago but it only ran me $65 for everything, and that included some other sheet material for the rest of the tub repairs.
It's work but money was saved.
Brett

[oilleaker1]

I've used panels on several Jeeps. MD Juan, Classics, and Midwest. It depends how bad your tub is in determining how far you need to go. I'd get it media blasted first so you can see. Putting a front floor in with all braces attached is not the way to go. You need to carefully measure and fit before you weld. Putting the whole floor in at once is very hard to get things to clear. I had to cut off new pieces in order to get it in. Then slice and fit. You are better off replacing only what's needed. Test fit it and carefully draw a diagram with triangulated measurements to refer back to. That said, MD Juan fit the worst, and the other two were excellent. Cutting all the spot welds instead of what's needed is much more work. You have to decide if your tub is good enough to save or you are better off finding another. You can buy several Jeeps for what a body kit costs and have extra parts to use or sell. Fuel tanks are another problem area. The reproduction tanks do not fit as well as originals. Some are off so much you can't mount the drivers seat over them because they are too tall. Take your time and study threads of others who have already done it. You'll be more satisfied with it. John

[Rick_L]

John's stuff at Midwest can't be beat. An added benfit is that after a while he will know what you have, and what you need, so when your wife and kids call for Christmas and birthday gifts, he can tell them what to get.