Help! Stubborn subfloor

[AleyaJean]

So happy to have this community for support!

My 1967 over lander renovation has begun in earnest. I'm to the point where I am repairing the subfloor. My plan was to remove the floor in bits, and apply rust converter to the frame as I went along. The back portion came out alright, but I'm having a terrible time with everything else! There are so many bolts holding the floor down, and there is a mysterious extra sheet of wood that seems to go down the center. Any advice? I was hoping to save some good wood and some money in the process. I'm so frustrated!

Thank you!

[RM66caravel]

First breath take a break and then some pictures! We love pictures and they help get advice you need. The extra piece of wood is a picture we need and the floor on your 67 how much of it is bad? Does she need the whole floor replaced or just the bits? The floor and frame and body all together make for a solid airstream if any one of these are weak it will weaken the rest. Patches (not too big) are okay but sheets and you may want to consider replacing it all as for saving money replacing the whole subfloor can sometimes save more money and sleep then patching.
Just my thoughts.
Cliff

[AleyaJean]

Figuring out the pics!

[AleyaJean]

There is the mystery bit revealed. And here is the front. I'm going to replace the whole thing, per advice from you and Home Depot! Got a pry bar just now too.

[Belegedhel]

Hey--I used to live in Golden! Are you a Miner?

On my '73, under the subfloor, every alternating crossmember (the ones that lined up with the places where two sheets come together) is lower to creat space for a ~4" wide strip of wood to be placed under the seam in the plywood and over the crossmember, as kind of a scap to help hold it all together. You might just be encountering one of these strips.

It doesn't look like you have dropped your belly pan around the sides. How are you planning to bolt your shell back down to the frame without access to the bottom?

Good luck!

[AleyaJean]

Yes! That's exactly what this is! In my research I hadn't read about it so it was a surprise. I'm chiseling away right now, taking a break to check the thread 😊

I haven't dropped the belly pan. I haven't read up enough on how to get it back on, so I haven't done it yet. It looks like some parts might need replacing. Im working alone at this point. Is this something I'd be able to do myself?

[RM66caravel]

Yes but will require some care or band aids and beer which ever works! Drill out the rivets and stop!!! So you are not pulling the shell you will need to read a few threads on shell on shell off as the belly pan is usually tucked or installed under the shell. Knowledge will save you cash!
Cliff