Helping hand widget for body install

[D Stand]

Made a set of helping hands to get the body on and off without the need for helpers on the side. Just thought I would share with the group. These are made out of 1 1/4” electrical pvc I had laying around. They work great keeping the bottom lip from catching on the hinges.

Thanks Dale

[CraigS]

Dale, you get the prize. This is the most brilliant thing I have seen in the last 6 months. And ya got a love it, it cost $5. One question; how do you make those bends in PVC?

[D Stand]

I used my heat gun. Plan your bend, heat all around with heat gun, bend, then use compressed air to cool it. You can use a torch as well but can burn if you get too close. You can soak a rag in water to cool the pipe down once the archived bend is correct too.

[D Stand]

I few more shots showing what the top bend does for you!

[Jeff Kleiner]

Ha! What's that they say about great minds thinking alike? :) I've been doing the same for years---ever since the Mk4 came out. Rather than heating and bending mine are just 1 1/2 PVC with 45 degree elbows on the ends. I tuck them in the "U" of the door hinges and have a bungee running between them through the cockpit. After the lower body has cleared the hinges and is almost all the way down I pull 'em out. Here's a pic that shows them in place as a body goes on.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=132473&d=1534954130

Good job!

Jeff

132473

[rich grsc]

Jeff, knew you had been doing something very similar for awhile.

[D Stand]

Hey Jeff, does your 1 1/2” pipe allow the body edge to clear the foam against the foot boxes? I haven’t thought that far ahead, just fitting the body now and shaving for dash fitment.

Dale