Hinging a new boot floor!

Just a thought as I have been held up replacing my boot floor, has anybody considered or done a hinged boot floor so that it could be lifted for easier access?
as Im waiting for a new tank sender unit I cant weld the centre in at the moment so was considering hinging it, welding on some location threads so I can bolt it down with fitting some rubber strips on the return lips to seal.
Didn't know if it would be an mot problem though?
Any thought chaps?

wouldnt have thought you were allowed to but maybe if it had some sort of test done afterwards - like when you write a car off and have to have it checked to deem it roadworthy (how do traybacked/bobtailed ones/kit cars etc get on with MOTs?)

good if you could, defenders seem to be able to lift off floor panels to get access easier.

Sorry not much help.

Drizz rebuild thread shows the boot floor bein bolted in so can be lifted for cleaning

If the floor is securely hinged at one end, and securely bolted at the other, and along the length, I can't see a problem. You'd want to be sure it was sealed against water all round, but it's an interesting idea.

blackhadder said:

You'd want to be sure it was sealed against water all round, but it's an interesting idea.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I was going to mention the water ingress possibilities too, exactly like the "Gaylander fishtank" problem.

You cant have a removable floor it has to be welded for saftey as its structural

I didn't think the middle section of the boot floor was structural, as the brace beams are welded on the sides forming the strength across?
Could be wrong, but I would have thought if it was bolted it would still be strong structurally.

Me too. If it is securely bolted, it would be structurally sound.

You cant seam bolt it, but you can seam weld it, bolts will never be as strong as welding, just ask your local MOT tester lol

True, But it's an interesting idea, I think you'd agree.

floor is spot welded in puddle welds are the best way

blackhadder said:

True, But it's an interesting idea, I think you'd agree.

Click to expand...

Yes but theres really nothing under it except the tank,

The V8 man said:

Yes but theres really nothing under it except the tank,

Click to expand...

Fred flinstone conversion?

I'm in the process of doing my boot floor. I was going to go for ali chequer player riveted to the straps and simply tiger sealed all the way around. This way it will never rot and if it has to come back up all I have to do is drill rivets out and cut sealant out with Stanley blade. Never thought about what u are saying about it having to be welded. But what the MOT man doent know can't hurt him..... Right?!?

DiscoNickY said:

I'm in the process of doing my boot floor. I was going to go for ali chequer player riveted to the straps and simply tiger sealed all the way around. This way it will never rot and if it has to come back up all I have to do is drill rivets out and cut sealant out with Stanley blade. Never thought about what u are saying about it having to be welded. But what the MOT man doent know can't hurt him..... Right?!?

Click to expand...

I guess thats true but if he is picky he may want to see it, think about your passengers safety as the rear seat belts are fixed through the floor and thst the reason it must be welded !

The V8 man said:

I guess thats true but if he is picky he may want to see it, think about your passengers safety as the rear seat belts are fixed through the floor and that the reason it must be welded !

Click to expand...

Make ya mind up either they are fixed to it or they pass thru it. It cant be both. If you actually look at the mounting it is a ring bolt attached to the chassis. The floor plate is firmly fixed to this. The floor to floorplate fixings is a couple of rivets. What structural strength do they impart to the actual mounting point?

They fix through the floor but are actually mounted to the chassis but I can see where ur cumin from like. But surely a big HD rivet every couple of inches is more than enough when passenger safety is concerned.

redhand said:

Make ya mind up either thery are fixed to it or they pass thru it. It cant be both. If you actually look at fhe mounting it is a ring bolt attached to the chassis. The floor plate is firmly fixed to this. The floor to flootplate fixings is a couple offer rivets. What structural strength do they impart to the actual mounting point?

Click to expand...

Dont ask me lol i just know it has to be welded, your insurance may also be void if its not fitted properly

I'm not so sure it has to be welding TBH - I don't think its classified as structural

To put it into context, you can get replacement front inner wings that don't need welding in - and I'd say thats a far more important part of the structure than the boot floor? ( this is their ebay listing - discovery inner wing | eBay )

All very grey... and I've had varying opinions from MoT testers (I know 3 and they all disagree with each other lol)

I am sure that the boot floor is a major structural part of the vehicle and hence it would be crazy not to have it secured to all sides.

Maybe cut a square section from the middle of the floor and hinge that.