Have bought an ex-demonstrator Ducato from Fiat, that was already boarded out.

Problem I have is that the ply flooring appears to have been RIVETED onto the load area floor pan, rather than screwed on...

This is extremely inconvenient, because the fitter didn't cut out circles in the ply to allow access to load securing eyes (or for eyes to be fitted into the reinforced/threaded areas of the load floor).

I therefore need to cut holes in the ply - which I cannot unscrew & lift because it is riveted - in exactly the right places, to see whether there are securing eyes already fitted & if not, then to fit them.

I cannot find any schematics giving the EXACT locations of the floor mounts for the eyes and wonder whether anyone can help with this or has any helpful ideas please?

Thanks in anticipation!

most of the rings, from memory, can be accessed from below. put a fine (smaller than 6mm) drill up through the threaded insert and you'll have the position above,
Ivan

If the rings are already in place you'll see the bolts sticking down instead of a hole.

Kick & scream at the dealers and get them to sort it!

You could drill out the rivets and lift out the panel at a guess, see what's underneath,

Sincere thanks for your suggestions so far.

Since posting, I have notified the Fiat dealer of the problem. Their initial reaction was that they'd get their ply-lining contractors to come round (about 50 miles each way) & sort the problem out for me, at dealer's expense. It's now gone a bit quiet, so not sure whether they're having second thoughts or not. Hope not...

I didn't realise that the empty threads (or the ends of the bolts) would be open to the elements beneath the van!

If the bolts are already fitted, I don't think that would necessarily help me locate their exact positions inside the load area BUT in the unlikely event that they aren't fitted then yes, if the dealer breaks his word then I could drill pilot holes in the ply via the empty thread holes from below.

Worst case scenario I guess is that dealer reneges on his promise AND the bolts are already in situ - then I'll be pretty stuffed.

Will let you have a progress report in due course!

MaxiMan said:

Worst case scenario I guess is that dealer reneges on his promise AND the bolts are already in situ - then I'll be pretty stuffed.

Click to expand...

You could drill a sacrificial 3-4mm hole beside it as a locator and fill it in with bond&seal or similar.

How about just fitting propper rails:
http://www.vanbitz.co.uk/3mtr-Tie-Down-Cargo-Rail.-Load-securing-rail-for-vans/104.htm

Not keen on drilling sacrificial holes, especially in the floor pan - wouldn't want to invalidate the anti-corrosion warranty.

The rails you've kindly provided a link for (thank you!) are of interest and would be useful for securing some types of load, so long as it is in the rear approx. 60% of the cargo area (assume they cannot be used in the front section because of the side cargo door).

As well as limits as to the type of load they're good for, there are also limits as to the weight they can restrain versus correctly used floor ties.

Certainly I would consider the rails + bars (or straps) as being the best restraining method for some loads that I do/will carry, but some of the pallets I carry are, I believe, beyond the weight limitations of rails/bars.

Update on the dealer situation... Received an email from them this afternoon confirming that a boarding-out contractor will be contacting me on their behalf. Hope the call comes soon!

MaxiMan said:

Not keen on drilling sacrificial holes, especially in the floor pan - wouldn't want to invalidate the anti-corrosion warranty.

Click to expand...

They must have drilled holes to screw or rivet the floor down. This seems to be normal practice for boarding out vans, although its better to stick the floor down like motorhome builders do.
If I really needed access to the securing hooks I would drill the rivets out and lift the floor, because it would be quicker and easier than chasing up the dealer and ply lining company.

Update - the Fiat dealer's boarding-out contractor is coming to my home on Wednesday to remove the original ply flooring (and the newly boarded-in rear wheel arches!) and replace with new ply flooring/boxing secured with the proprietary flooring screws more normally used. The new flooring will have holes in the right places to allow access to floor securing rings. This is being done at the dealer's expense.

Yes it'll probably involve making more holes in the floorpan but needs must I guess!

Make sure all the holes made from the rivets are fully sealed off mate, or you'll have soggy ply when it's raining!