Dash questions

[jackboeker83]

ok so I test fit the body this weekend to make sure everything was lining up and to ensure that the aluminum panels didnt rub against the body before putting on the weather striping. The only issue i saw was the dash. While the body was on the car it didnt seem that it was a big deal but once I took the body off I noticed that it chewed up the top of the dash. I know its going to be covered but I was wondering if that was normal. Did anyone put something kinda like padding to take the weight of the body off the dash. only the outer parts are kinda rubbed but I figure after a long time of driving it would be pretty much gone. another thing I kinda thought didnt fit right was the sides that get tucked in. Are they supposed to just sit in there because it didnt look even to me. I probably should of fit the dash with the body on but i was following the book and didnt really step back and think about what I was doing.

25398

[CraigS]

My one experience helping a friend w/ a MkIV says that tight fit is normal. I didn't like it but don't see an easy way to fix it. The body is located front to rear by the dash and the rear cockpit aluminum so no way to easily shift it. If I were building one myself, I would cut and weld that 3/4x3/4 tube to move the top of the dash forward maybe an inch. The other thing you will find is that, if you screw the dash to the steel tube, after the body is on it will cover the screws. My friend cut some spare aluminum to make tabs so the screws could go into the tabs and remain below the body.

[edwardb]

The Mk4 body -- compared to the Mk3 -- is a pretty tight fit. Since the Mk3 didn't have the wrap-around sills below the doors, it could kind of float wherever you put it. Sometimes good, sometimes not. The Mk4, on the other hand, has to spring over the sills, and the cockpit rear wall and dash are relatively tight fits. At least for mine when I did the first fitting. One thing that I would suggest though. I would spend some time cleaning up the body before starting to trial fit. They come from the factory just machine trimmed, and are pretty rough. Not only on your hands but (as you found out) on some of your build as well. Another common problem is tearing up the bulb seal along the back. Again, worse if the body is rough as it comes from the factory. I would have protected the vinyl on the dash before trying to install the body (I know 20-20 hindsight) but I also would take the time to clean up and trim the whole body before starting to install. Then even if it does rub, any possible damage is reduced. You should not need anything permanent in that area to protect.

In my Mk4 build thread I documented trimming and cleaning the body first, with pictures starting here: http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?8296-Mk4-7750-Build-Progress-Update&p=134314&viewfull=1#post134314

[68GT500MAN]

An old trick when building the pre-MKIV roadsters was to leave a 1" flap of the cover material loose above the dash. It was then tucked in as you installed the dash after the body as installed and covered any gap left between the dash and body.
Doug

[LuckyWinner]

A little off track....but love your wheels!!!!

[Jeff Kleiner]

As edwardb mentioned the bodies are rough cut. Run a DA along the rolled return under both the front and rear cowl/cockpit opening to even and smooth the raw edges.

Jeff

[montyals]

It's not normal. On the Mark IV you have to install the insulation over the dash panel. It comes with the kit and acts as insulation between the body and the dash.

[edwardb]

It's not normal. On the Mark IV you have to install the insulation over the dash panel. It comes with the kit and acts as insulation between the body and the dash.

Care to explain further? The OP has the dash vinyl in place. You can see it in the posted picture. I've not seen any other padding or insulation for the top of the dash area in any builds. I just checked the Mk4 instructions in case this is something new. Nothing mentioned or pictured.

[montyals]

Try fitting the body after securing the insulation.

[Jeff Kleiner]

The dash does not get insulation, nor does the hoop. The top of the firewall gets bulb seal. An additional FYI, the top of the rear bulkhead does not get bulb seal however the outer "wings" do. You can see this, the firewall seal as well as the vinyl running long over the top of the dash in my photo below

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/Mk4%207276/100_2601-1.jpg

Jeff