The belly pans are an aftermarket item. fitted when large sunroofs or lifting roofs were fitted etc. As mine did not have them there is nothing to go on.
was going for 4cm appart ~100 plugs per pan. but seen others with just 16 bolts holding them???
Mr. Penny invented washers precisely for Fiesta steel thoughThe bolts are just gonna tear through the steel though, especially with 1.6 tons hanging of it.
That is the concern it not the strength of the bolts, the pans are only 1mm mild steel and with so few fixing a little flex and it surely begin to tear at every bolt hole?The bolts are just gonna tear through the steel though, especially with 1.6 tons hanging of it.
It's simply stiffening an existing frame. If the frame is flexing enough to tear your M6 bolt through, you've got rather more problems than worrying about M6 bolts!That is the concern it not the strength of the bolts, the pans are only 1mm mild steel and with so few fixing a little flex and it surely begin to tear at every bolt hole?
Here is an example of a bus with 3 pans fitting
View attachment 375699
as the pans are aftermarket fitment and most vans are MOT exempt anything goesPretty sure if it was welded when manufactured, you can't bolt on a repair. If that was the case you'd still be able to pop rivet panels on, like in the good old days
Until it sags so much you can't drive it, then you can explain it to the judgeas the pans are aftermarket fitment and most vans are MOT exempt anything goes
If no vans left the factory with these pans fitted then it would lose it's mot exemption as it is modified and will likely be considered a substantial change.as the pans are aftermarket fitment and most vans are MOT exempt anything goes
Just for reference our van did not have any belly pans fitted from factory my intention is to fit them as additional insurance the outer pans will be welded.
The central area carried all the wiring, rear brake lines, vacuum line, handbrake and accelerate cables.
So the thought of welding them in does give me some concerns for future servicing those component.
"If" they can be safely bolted in instead would prefer this option.
"This panel is an essential for those repairing damaged areas to the lower structure of their vehicle. This belly pan sits in between the chassis rail and your inner sill. This panel is correctly produced with all required pressings but please note that belly pans weren’t fitted to all VW T2 Bays.
These unique panels were generally fitted to Bay’s fitted with factory sunroofs, or vehicles converted by Westfalia. Some other late bay models were produced with belly pans but not all, so please research thoroughly before purchase as a belly pan may not be required.
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This panel should be welded into position to properly repair any loss of structure. We recommend invasive repairs like these are carried out by a licensed professional. Not all belly pans should be installed via welding, most later centre pans were bolted on."