Body Installation Guidance

[FMJ]

This is it, the weekend of installing the body on my Mk4. Any tips or tricks I should be aware of? Pitfalls to avoid?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

-Fred

[SCFFR]

Fred,

If possible, try to get three other people to help you set it in place. You definitely need one on each side to pull the sides out so the mounting flange will clear the sides. This will be extremely important when you put the painted body on for the last time. With the sides pulled out, have the front person get the front end in place and then the rear. The rear might be a tight fit due to the seals you should have in place. Just take it slow and pull on the lower edge until it drops in place. Once it is on, you can move it around a little to get it in place. Look at how it aligns with your wheels, dash, rear bulkhead, rear trunk panel, etc. I suggest cutting slots in the flange instead of round hole for whatever fastener you decide to use (I drilled and tapped the chassis for 1/4-28 ss button head screws). This will allow you to move the body sides in/out to help with door alignment.

Ron

[DaleG]

Fred,

I suggest cutting slots in the flange instead of round hole for whatever fastener you decide to use (I drilled and tapped the chassis for 1/4-28 ss button head screws). This will allow you to move the body sides in/out to help with door alignment.

Ron

I assume you are talking about the "under door" attachment?

[AZPete]

Fred, it's common that the body may not appear to fit around the exhaust pipes but before you make any changes mount the front splash panels (elephant ears) after the body is on. The splash panels will push the body out to the correct position.
Oh, and chill a bottle of champagne so you can toast your accomplishment in building a really cool car!
Pete

[CraigS]

Installing the body is no big deal. It can be done w/ three people as long as the third doesn't mind running side to side. As mentioned it hooks under at the front first and then the rear is lowered. This takes 5 minutes and maybe less. If you have had the whole car up on stands for most of the build do yourself a favor and drop it down on the tires as soon as the body is on. You will be amazed how low the car is after being used to it up on stands. And how it now looks like a car rather than a bunch of parts.