Significant floor rust behind fridge...advice needed!

[dopplerhire]

Hi all,

Would really appreciate some advice for assessing/tackling rust in our 1986 T25. Our first van (3/4 bench and side cupboards) which we bought in Jan as a 'little' project.
I've removed the fridge today to see how things are bearing up behind the scenes and have found what seems to be a significant section of rust in the floor.

Running my hand to the edge of the floor behind fridge where it meets side panel I can feel floor is intact up to about halfway behind the fridge but then from this point to rear (at least 50cm length), the floor has rusted and has a jagged edge and feels pretty loose/flimsy. It feels like the gap between side panel and floor in this area is a couple of inches wide for most of the 50cm section. In same place can see that the van has previously been welded for same length in the side panel. The weld in the side looks ok so I'm wondering what's best to do (not least as this is a very fiddly are being under the cupboards)...

- Given that it looks like this area has been welded in the side panel, could the reason for the rust have been a legacy issue that will require little treatment (very wishful thinking)
- Is it better for me to cut the rust out to bare metal?...In this case recommended snips, approach appreciated and also how to best tackle removing the cupboards as I'd like them to go back in! Also what best to treat cut metal with and do I necessarily need to have a new section welded in if this is internal rust?
- Any chance of applying some form of rust inhibitor/treatment straight on to existing bad edges without having to go down the route of cutting out?

Many thanks for taking the time to read!

[kevtherev]

Perhaps you should post some pictures of the area?

Maybe read some of the posts regarding this subject by using the search... it's a commonly tackled subject so there's plenty of information

[boatbuilder]

If theres a big hole in the floor like you say, then the sill itself may or may not be rusted as well. It depends on the quality of the previous repairs etc...
We need photos!

[dopplerhire]

Thanks both for your replies - I'll try and see if I can get some pics - trouble is getting a decent shot given cupboards are still in place as well as carpet currently - I imagine I'll have to take everything out just to assess the damage.

[kevtherev]

well you're going to have to do that anyway

[Doogs]

You ll only really get a true assessment with the interior out, mine turned out to be a bit worse than it looked initially, but have a good prod about the sill underneath the van may give you a general indication of its condition having said that there lots of expertise and encouragement from the folks on here

[jimpainter]

You need to whip the interior out to get a full assesment of the area and see how bad the rot is. Behind the fridge is one of the common rot spots on these vans. Best bet is to get underneath and just give the inner sill a quick check over as well, as the floor panel that has/will have rotted away is directly over the top of the sill. Almost like a closing panel. It may be worse or better than you expect but either way it will need repairing. Best to catch it before it gets any worse.

[Plasticman]

take me some detailed picks of the exterior and show some at an oblique angle as well
mm
oh and if you havent already then pop to general and do an intro for yourself, if you have and I havent seen it sorry
mm

[pmoc_2001]

Can't be as bad as my fridge side!

I repaired it myself as a complete beginner. I bought the welder and materials and read as much as I could. I swore a lot, fell out with the wife, and asked meaningful questions of the experts on this forum. The guys here are truly very helpful and will provide encouragement and help at every stage.

Good luck!

[jimpainter]

Can't be as bad as my fridge side!

I repaired it myself as a complete beginner. I bought the welder and materials and read as much as I could. I swore a lot, fell out with the wife, and asked meaningful questions of the experts on this forum. The guys here are truly very helpful and will provide encouragement and help at every stage.

Good luck!

Experts on this forum. Where are they all

[pmoc_2001]

Can't be as bad as my fridge side!

I repaired it myself as a complete beginner. I bought the welder and materials and read as much as I could. I swore a lot, fell out with the wife, and asked meaningful questions of the experts on this forum. The guys here are truly very helpful and will provide encouragement and help at every stage.

Good luck!

Experts on this forum. Where are they all

Experts. You all know who you are Cheers

[CovKid]

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ar ... outer_sill" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - all in there.

[Plasticman]

were still waiting for pickies then the link above^^^ and if you want to do it to replicate the original as opposed to a wrap over then I will link you to that but we need to see what you got (or havent )first
mm

[dopplerhire]

Thanks for all your replies. Unfortunately (yet another) camera broken (my mrs. thinks they're disposable ) so no opportunity for pics as yet - everything is out now though so can see things better.
Clearly I'm going to need to do some welding to replace floor panel and section of floor 'lip' that's pretty much falling off, but feel anxious about DIY in this area as have no experience whatsoever and no access to a garage etc. Whilst I work on getting my hands on a camera does anyone know of a welder local to Newport, South Wales area. Ideally I'd like to work with them to pick up the skills too but happy either way - would also likely need work welding in new corner pieces around most of the windows.

[bokobillycamper]

Hi,
No idea how good they are but there's a 'vwdubsandbugs.co.uk' specialist in Newport 01633 282048

address
Unit 10
Estuary Court
Queensway Meadow Estate
Newport
Wales
NP19 4SX
(lifted from their website)
I saw an advertising hoarding near my local Asda in Aberdare....

regards

Linda