First body fit - have no idea what I am doing, but it looks cool! :)

[broku518]

Hello,
I felt like trying the body on today. It was two man job, surprisingly easy. I haven't done front wheel alignment, so it may still look off.
I heard that is kinda important to line up the door opening with the lock thingy. I am not sure what else to look for. To me it look pretty good!
But again, I have no idea :)

The side exhaust pipes aren't lining up with the cutouts, but I think that is somewhat expected and will be tweaked later.
I am thinking I should finish the wheel alignment first.


https://farm1.staticflickr.com/822/27120106008_f878898ce7_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HjvCEC)

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/819/27120108928_1c0bceeaa0_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HjvDwY)

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4784/26120216407_c8a32f9661_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/FN9WjK)

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/789/27120110448_d18a058255_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/HjvDZb)

[Jeff Kleiner]

It appears that you don't have the body all the way down so that the rockers can wrap around under the chassis. 3 link rear? If so the rearward position of the back wheel in the opening may indicate that the pinion angle is not set properly however until the body is fully down and located front to rear we can't know for sure if that may simply be because the body needs to move.

Jeff

[broku518]

It appears that you don't have the body all the way down so that the rockers can wrap around under the chassis. 3 link rear? If so the rearward position of the back wheel in the opening may indicate that the pinion angle is not set properly however until the body is fully down and located front to rear we can't know for sure if that may simply be because the body needs to move.

Jeff

Hi Jeff. I moved it down. I wasn't under the side frame. Now it looks better. Also, I feel like the wheel splash guard may push out the rear fender and open up the rear gap (between the wheel and body) further more.

What should I do next?

[Gumball]

Sweet - sure looks good even unfinished... don't it????

[broku518]

Sweet - sure looks good even unfinished... don't it????

Yes sir! I was just confused, mostly from checking all different points and angles. I just need to keep it simple and start with the door strikers.

After reading related posts, I am feeling more confident. It isn't a rocket science :)

[broku518]

So today is another 'body on and body off' day. I noticed couple spots where the bulbs seal was pretty tight - trunk sides and lower areas. Also, the door striker area could use a trim.
I was thinking about trimming the dashboard lip part, but first I only removed couple washers that I used under the screws to hold it in place.

After I trimmed all these areas and removed the washers, the body was super easy to install. Like 30sec
Next I installed the rear and front QJ bolts. Check the gap in hood opening in relation to the frame, pretty close.

Now I am prepping for the windshield fit....more to come.

[CraigS]

Don't worry about you alignment. To check if the body is centered at the front, measure from the top shock bolt out to the edge of the fender flare. It is quite common for the frame extensions that the quick jacks bolt to to be out of alignment. They move sideways pretty easily so have often been banged accidentally. If they need to be moved, depending which way they need to go, sometimes you can move them w/ the body on, and sometimes it needs to come off, so you can move them far enough so they spring back to where you want them.

[broku518]

Don't worry about you alignment. To check if the body is centered at the front, measure from the top shock bolt out to the edge of the fender flare. It is quite common for the frame extensions that the quick jacks bolt to to be out of alignment. They move sideways pretty easily so have often been banged accidentally. If they need to be moved, depending which way they need to go, sometimes you can move them w/ the body on, and sometimes it needs to come off, so you can move them far enough so they spring back to where you want them.

Thanks. Right, I was bit spooked about the wheel position, but realized later that alignment is still needed.
To make me feel better I turned the upper arm bolts and move the wheel in favorable angle :)

Summary:
My door strikers are about 1/4" recessed in relation to the fiberglass door opening. On both sides.
Body is wrapped around the bottom edge (on sides).
I will trim the dashboard rolled edge. I noticed it isn't entirely even and see some gaps there. It isn't a must, but it bugs me.
Trimmed trunk area, sides and lower plates about 1"4"
Trimmed both sides out panels to get better fit. Panels behind the seats where the bulb seal goes.
Front body centered in relation to the frame. Measured front multiple frame members.

Ignored the front wheels, no alignment done. The rear looks pretty good.

Overall body fit experience: Scared the heck out - talked about it - got some beer - simplified - super easy :)