MC-5: is it worth it to grind out the seat rails?

[mike802]

When I replaced the floor in my MC9 I left the rails in.  I read somewhere from a guy that said he took his out and found that they stiffened the floor somewhat, in his opinion. The plywood in the buss was 1/2" and I replaced that with 3/4" so the rails ended up just below the plywood.  In the bedroom I just bridged right over them without any issues when I laid down the hardwood floor.  I plan to tile the bathroom and will apply the backer board right over the rails, I might fill the small void to avoid any flexing if I feel it is necessary.  I plan on laying hardwood in the front of the buss and will use the same technique as in the bedroom.  I also plan on using the rails when I mount my sofa and chairs up front, I think it will help hold them in place safer than without, and yes I plan on incorporating the side wall mounting as well, I like the idea of using mci's already existing engineering for mounting seating.  I found cutting the plywood less difficult than ripping out the rails, but I guess that depends on where your skills are. 

Hears a link to what I did.  MCI 9 new insulated floor

[Scott & Heather]

Why is ripping them out "doing it right"? JIm

Anytime someone asks a question that suggests "I'm tired, and just don't feel like ripping out 72 welds" they need the encouragement to go for it. This wasn't a question of "are they structural" or are they "needed for another purpose". He was just looking for opinions as he wasn't looking forward to the process. Removing the seat rails, as someone mentioned, it allows you to inspect for rust deterioration underneath the rails. Ours had some and we addressed it with welding in new metal in certain places as well as a cleanup of surface rust and a spray down of rust control paint and then bedliner. Removing them also saves a tiny bit on weight. Add up those "remove it or leave it" decisions and you have a lot of weight either left on or taken off.   All smiles here! Hope that helps! I just received a PM that suggested I should use my words more carefully. Edit my response to "do it your  way" instead of "do it right". Whatever you do, take pictures! I can't tell you how many times we've looked back at our photos and beamed with pride knowing just the two of us accomplished this amazing and huge project!

[Midwilshire]

Anytime someone asks a question that suggests "I'm tired, and just don't feel like ripping out 72 welds" they need the encouragement to go for it.

...

Whatever you do, take pictures! I can't tell you how many times we've looked back at our photos and beamed with pride knowing just the two of us accomplished this amazing and huge project!

Thanks Scott.  We did go for it.  Took about 8 hours if tallied up altoghether, but that's small potatoes when one is putting in 12+ hour days.  Found a little surface rust; Gigi treated it today and we'll paint tomorrow. 

And thanks for the advice about the pictures.  I've started having the family photographer take many pics of the bus in it's fully-demolished state so I know where everything is located when covered with plywood later.  For example, I use sticky notes to label each line in the tunnel, then have her photograph it.  Going around the bus doing this for everything.  And she's a natural with the camera -- she's asian (why yes, I AM stereotyping). 

Mike

[Scott & Heather]

Great to hear you got them out without too much drama! It surely was work. Did the welds pop as you cut them? There is some definite spring pressure of sorts on the rail. If you get a chance I'd love to see a current interior pic at the
point you're at right now. Here's a pic or two of heather ripping the seat rails on ours:







Sent from iPhone via Tapatalk