Suspension pans 69-73 Stoddard vs. Restoration Design

[Sundevil64]

I am currently working on reviving a 71 911 ("Blu") and amongst many panels needed the suspension pan badly deteriorated. Restoration Design is well known here and pretty much the "go to" it seems, which is what I did. I bought a suspension pan kit from RD and received it in good order and in about 5 days (Texas). The cost was around $400 with shipping and "international transaction fees" from my bank. As murphy's law is always in play a friend sent me an email about a day after ordering the parts with a link to Stoddard, the other go to for these types of parts if PP doesn't carry them.

Stoddard is having a sale on panels that includes nearly all the floor panels for $901. I ordered the set as well as there are some panels I will need and what I don't I can sell off and minimize my cost on panel replacement.

Here is the link for Stoddard
http://www.*************/911-1965-75...1965-1973.html

Here is the link for RD.
http://www.restoration-design.com/

I noticed in the pics there seem to be some difference in the panels, particularly the suspension piece. I thought it would be nice to compare them side by side before installing one of them



-The tow hook is not welded on the Stoddard piece although it is included in the kit. There is also a "v" shape piece punched where the tow hook attaches.(I have not removed the tow hook from the pack to see how it fits up). A suspension pan can be ordered from RD w/o the tow hook also that would be cheaper,but since the tow hook is included separately from Stoddard, I treated them nearly equal albeit the installation.

-There are cut-outs on the Stoddard piece on the forward section of the suspension pan in the area of where it attaches to the forward bulk head. It would appear this is for access to the bumperettes and a provision for a/c.

-The extensions that run laterally along the suspension pan are also longer about 1/2" to-3/4".

From my standpoint it doesn't make a lot of difference to me which panel I use, but if I were doing a correct resto I wouldn't want the cut outs. I would guess this helps keep the cost down to have a sheet that can be used for a broader range of years of 911's.

You can see what a stock one looks like. Here is what is left of my suspension pan.



Here they are stacked. You can see that one is longer than the other. The Stoddard piece is on the bottom.







Here is a closer view of the Stoddard piece.



The cost savings of the Stoddard kit over the equivalent RD sheet metal is around $450-500 depending on where you are shipping to and whether transaction fees will apply. The were both great to work with btw. One note on RD, they only ship on Tuesday's to keep agent fees down which in turns save the customer (us) money. Stoddard shipped the next morning and I had the kit in about 4 days.

Hopefully this is helpful to those looking at suspension pan pieces.

[classic]

I prefer the amount of spot welds on the RD suspension point, and also the correct drain points for pre 73 cars, as compared to the Stoddards pan.

[Sundevil64]

I agree. The RD looks "more correct" for a 69-73 IMHO, very humble. Although it is a great deal, so it depends on what you are looking for. For the money saved, you could buy a decent MIG to install the panels. I may be using the Stoddard piece because I need the extra 3/4 on the d.s. part of the lateral portion of the pan.