Installing the body

[jrichards]

I tried to put the body back on the car for the first time since I took it off. I had only my younger son to help but we really fought it for about a half hour and then gave up. I could not get the body far enough forward and have the back over the rear of the car. I saw one individual who recommended cutting several inches off of the back. Is there a trick to installing the body? I can't imagine what I would have done to the paint yesterday if it had been painted.

[MRSQSL]

I don't know how helpful this will be, but we put the back portion of my body on yesterday to get ready for Huntington Beach next weekend. I was able to stand by and watch, take pics, etc. and from what I could tell, the trick is to lift the front portion pretty high while you slide the back in place. Then the guys on the sides pull the sides apart a terrifying amount and pull down. It slips into place with some loud noises and a satisfying thud. I'm sure you'll get some better responses, but that's how we did mine yesterday. It's easier with more people. Maybe you could grab a neighbor or two. We have done it a few times now. We also have side impact bars we installed, so we have to pull the sides much further than normal and Mike had to do some trimming for those bars. Before we put those in, the body fit though. I would be very hesitant to cut anything. Good luck!

[Gordon Levy]

What she said is correct and it is much easier with 3 people.

[John Dol]

We did cut about 1 1/2 inch off the back end around the gas tank opening. Then we tilted the pontoons up and slid the back end on, then open the pontoons around the door hinges. Two people can do it if you hold the wheel well and under the door opening. Three definitely makes it easier.

John

[jrichards]

When you have the body painted, did you have issues with flexing he pontoons out? Did taking off the inch and a half result in being able to the gas tank or did it not change the look?

[Gordon Levy]

To answer the first question, no. I haven't needed to modify the area around the fuel tank on any of the coupes we have built.

[CHAZC5ZX]

It works well with 3 people minimum and A 4th for A spotter is not bad. Also after we painted mine and put it back on the frame none of the bolt holes lined up. after sitting on the paint buck for A few days it kind of changed shape A little, so we let it sit in the sun for A couple of hours came back and it had settled back in place.
Chaz...

[Mark Dougherty]

When using the stock mustang tank you have to cut alot more off the body to get the body to move forward enough for it to sit down correctly .

[John Dol]

My body was not painted yet. When painted I would definitely get at least 3 people. From what others have said the paint flexes with the body no problem.


John