Replacement Panel?

[xrs135]

1968 M20C we are talking about here.

 

No, I'm not talking about the instrument panel. I'm not even sure I would consider this piece a 'panel'... but it's the piece on the floor that pretty much runs from the base of the Johnson Bar, all the way back up between the front seats to the end of the Johnson Bar when the gear is in the retracted position. So it's essentially a floor piece.

 

Mine is kind of tattered and needs replacing. Any ideas of where/how I can get a replacement? I can take pictures if you guys don't know what piece I'm talking about

[NotarPilot]

Without seeing a picture of it I don't know how realistic my suggestion might be but have you considered fabricating your own piece? A sheet of aluminum, a band saw, and an air drill can do wonders.

[N601RX]

Plane Plastics has it.  Some have also replaced it with carpet.  Aero comfort has leather replacement boots for the J-Bar.

[1964-M20E]

If you replace it with carpet be sure to leave enough room at the point where the J-bar goes through the floor otherwise it will jam and be difficult to lock the gear in the up position.

[xrs135]

The previous owner fabricated the piece that is in there now. The problem is that it is made out of very, very, very thin aluminum (to avoid the problems with J-Bar). The paint is starting to come off a little, and it dings and dents pretty easy. I actually do still have the original piece that was taken out... just looking for a more clean/durable/professional looking solution. I'll look into Plane Plastics.

[xrs135]

This is the original piece that I could use as a template if I wanted to try something myself. The previous guy attempted to refurbish this piece, but when he put it back in, it was too fat and the gear wouldn't lock. So now, I have the very thin aluminum. Looking at Plane Plastics, I'm not sure which piece to get exactly, because neither of them look exactly like this one?

The K740054-503 looks the same as my piece until you click on it. So I'm not 100% sure?

http://www.planeplastics.com/airplanes/mooney/m20c-j/page18/

[scottfromiowa]

Looks like the 503 piece to me. I have same issue with original plastic piece on floor. Cracking. Takes a good beating.

[carusoam]

Contact plane plastics directly. Expect to send the picture to them by email.

That area is very sensitive to thickness of anything under the Jbar.

It is tough to find out that the bar won't go down while flying.

Best to do this while the plane is up on jacks.

My 65C got a new carpet and a nice fabric boot to cover the floor in that area...

Best regards,

-a-

[HRM]

The previous owner fabricated the piece that is in there now. The problem is that it is made out of very, very, very thin aluminum (to avoid the problems with J-Bar). The paint is starting to come off a little, and it dings and dents pretty easy. I actually do still have the original piece that was taken out... just looking for a more clean/durable/professional looking solution. I'll look into Plane Plastics.

 

PP has that in two pieces--I recently bought one when I upgraded my interior. The P/N is for both pieces. They just sent me one piece of the pair and after i called them they sent the other. It is very rough plastic, but easily trimmed, drilled and painted as necessary. One of the less expensive pieces too.

[HRM]

P/N K740054-503 COVER TRIM ACTUATOR

 

[xrs135]

I'll probably end up ordering that piece eventually. I'm going to let it gel for a little bit, as it's not super high on my priority list. I was slightly confused, but that makes sense that they send it so you can cut it to fit each individual plane perfectly. What did you use to cut it? Exacto knife? dremel? 

[carusoam]

Dremel with a grinder type tool. The new ABS plastic will be thick and tough and will soften if it gets hot...

It was a bit of challenge for a guy with minimal artistic skills like me.

Best regards,

-a-

[HRM]

I'll probably end up ordering that piece eventually. I'm going to let it gel for a little bit, as it's not super high on my priority list. I was slightly confused, but that makes sense that they send it so you can cut it to fit each individual plane perfectly. What did you use to cut it? Exacto knife? dremel? 

 

Truth be told, it's sitting on the bench down in the hangar. I've been flying around without it--probably going to get ramp-checked and grounded until I find a round-tuit so I can get it trimmed, painted and installed 

[Dale Logsdon]

I'll probably end up ordering that piece eventually. I'm going to let it gel for a little bit, as it's not super high on my priority list. I was slightly confused, but that makes sense that they send it so you can cut it to fit each individual plane perfectly. What did you use to cut it? Exacto knife? dremel? 

Mark your plastic with a pencil were you want to cut it and use offset tin snips or large sissors to trim to the line. use a course file to smooth the edge and make minor adjusment to fine tune the final fit.