Body fitting order

[egchewy79]

Posted this on the other forum as well

OK. body back on. Getting ready for fitting stuff.
Here's my plan in this order
1) rear QJs
2) front QJs
3) securing underside of side rockers to frame, PS pushed all the way in, DS rear pulled about 3/4" out and front pushed all the way in. slotted the holes in the body already for this.
4) windshield/roll bar
5) hood and trunk rough fitting/trimming
6) splash guards/elephant ears
7) door fitting/trimming
8) side pipe fitting and trimming of opening
9) mirrors

my understanding is that the elephant ears to adjust the body somewhat, so I've seen that I shouldn't trim the side pipe holes until after they are installed. I wasn't sure if the door fitting was affected as much by the elephant ears since the bottom of the body is secured to the frame already.
Please let me know if there needs to be a change in the order I attack this.

[Ducky2009]

Don't think you want to secure the side rockers/underside to the frame until you work the door fit.

[egchewy79]

I slotted the holes so easily adjustable in and out.
according to da bat, PS front and rear rockers all the way in. DS front all the way in, rear about 3/4" pulled out.

[CraigS]

I agree w/ Ducky2009. I am sure that da bat's words are very close but I wouldn't take them to mean the final 1/8 inch adjustment on every car. Maybe your slots are longer or shorter than someone else's so, especially the amount of 'out', can vary car to car. One thing I have noticed is that the body curving under the rocker area makes for a very stiff structure. In other words, if you pull the driver side out at the front of the door, the body at the header cut out is coming outward too. Nothing you can do about it. For me, the front elephant ears should be trimmed and installed after the body position is fixed. I wouldn't use them as positioners.

[j.miller]

I agree w/ Ducky2009. I am sure that da bat's words are very close but I wouldn't take them to mean the final 1/8 inch adjustment on every car. Maybe your slots are longer or shorter than someone else's so, especially the amount of 'out', can vary car to car. One thing I have noticed is that the body curving under the rocker area makes for a very stiff structure. In other words, if you pull the driver side out at the front of the door, the body at the header cut out is coming outward too. Nothing you can do about it. For me, the front elephant ears should be trimmed and installed after the body position is fixed. I wouldn't use them as positioners.

That is my position. I never exert force against the back side of the body. With only a few # of pressure on a hot summer day can do all kinds of crazy things ….and yes, my words are "close" but 20yrs and 600 roadsters later I can tell you there is NO pat exact way to do them all the same as long as each one is being built by individuals (this I know to be truth). When fitting the body "getting it close" and 90% there is only 10% of what's needed to get it ALL the way there. It's not the first 90, it's the last 10 that make the difference...da bat

[egchewy79]

thanks guys
i'll get the doors on first, then adjust the rockers to match the doors.
and trim the elephant ears to fit the body, and not use them as spacers to position the body.