Belly pans...or not

[BoyToys]

As I dive a bit deeper into what a 'stock' unmolested Imp should look like while I plan out restoration efforts, I came to realize that mine does not have any belly pan(s) underneath from the transmission all the way back to the differential. There appear to be mounting holes in the undercarriage for what I assume used to be there. Comments?? Seems the only reason for removing the pans would be for weight savings, but if aluminum they couldn't have weighed much. I would think a person would want belly pans to help float in the really deep powder.
Comments anyone???

 

[Melensdad]

Given that I used to drive through fields, over river banks, through brush, etc, to me a belly pan makes a lot of sense. I'm in favor of them.

FWIW, as sort of a disclaimer, on a SnowTrac (the model I owned) the drive mechanism is all in the front, the majority of the bottom of the vehicle is actually plywood (I epoxy coated my plywood).​

 

[mtncrawler]

Yes you want the belly pan covers and you answered your own question. 1404's float on there belly.

 

[BoyToys]

Yes you want the belly pan covers and you answered your own question. 1404's float on there belly.

Thanks for the input. Now to take some measurements and find the material. Aluminum preferably, or maybe even fiberglass.

 

[PradoTDI]

I would imagine that aluminum could be lighter for the same strength than fiberglass.

 

[redsqwrl]

I am a lazy pocrap most days. I used magnets and paper to make a template.

an imp with out the covers on drags pretty good in the snow. I also found that packing snow up around the ebrake made mike carry a propane torch ( that never liked to ignite in the temperatures that froze the brake on)

 

[BoyToys]

I am a lazy pocrap most days. I used magnets and paper to make a template.

an imp with out the covers on drags pretty good in the snow. I also found that packing snow up around the ebrake made mike carry a propane torch ( that never liked to ignite in the temperatures that froze the brake on)

Heck of an idea while lying flat on your back to make a template. Lucky (or unlucky) for me, I don't have an embrake to worry about.
It's still beyond me why someone would remove the belly pans. Just added to my to-do list which keeps growing.

 

[BoyToys]

Snagged some free galvanized sheet metal the other day, now to get enthused about fabricating some pans. Since I've never been around a proper non-molested Imp for comparison, do these just mount to the frame and bridge the gap along and under the driveline? Probably up front as well...a 'bull nose" if you will, but not for me since I have a snow blade mount and hydraulic lines up there.

 

[Idaho IMP]

The lower 1 by angle at the well should have weld nuts on the top side for 1/4-20 bolts. Mine has 3 panels that go from front to back, and the rearmost ends at the crossmember that supports the front of transaxle. My panels are probably 12 gauge aluminum. thats gonna be challenging to measure and drill them. Maybe measure and drill for one in each corner, then mark the remainder from above, or use a self-centering VIX bit to drill the centers at a smaller diameter. A self centering bit can be had at Hobo freight or any decent woodworking shop or lumberyard. Let us know how it goes!

 

[BoyToys]

Thanks man. I'll need to jack her up and crawl around to check it out...fun fun either way you look at it. I've got what measures out to about 15 or 16 gauge galvanized steel. Aluminum would be preferred and probably lighter weight but a person can't complain about free material. I may go the route proposed by Redsqwrl and create a template out of light cardboard held in place by strong magnets and transfer to the sheet metal for cutting and drilling. The hard part will be holding it up in place. Not a whole lot of elbow room underneath these things.
One of many things on my list before things get white once again.