Body Fitment Question ...

[mlewis]

All,

I continue to work on my the fitment of the body to frame.

I've completed the rough fitment of body and doors/hood/truck lid including the trimming of the inner aluminum panels.

I've installed the bulb seals and returned the body back onto the frame in order to install/fit the windshield.

All is well, except there appears to be a bit of the upward "bulge" (about 1/4") in the center/top of the body apex in the center dash area. I was not planning to use the body mounted rearview mirror.

I am wondering if this bulge is typical and if it will be addressed (flatten) when the windshield is installed, or do I need to something additional to the body fitment prior to the windshield install ?

As usual, much thanks for the input/guidance.

M

[egchewy79]

Do you have a picture of your “bulge”;)
Make sure the body’s not caught anywhere. Make sure the rockers are under the frame rails.

[Jeff Kleiner]

As chewy said pictures would help a bunch because I’m not grasping what you are saying.

Jeff

[mlewis]

Thanks both. Maybe bulge it a bit stong.

Yes fitted on the frame and wrapped around the rocker.

The body is resting on the bulb seal across the firewall but now lifting the lip up to the edge of the dash


Maybe I need to trim the firewall ?

Attempt some pictures (the tape shows the relative difference when pushed):

159656159655

[Jeff Kleiner]

Dash needs to go up.

Jeff

[mlewis]

Thanks Jeff.

It is currently flush with the cross member.


Tha body seem to sit ok without the bulb seal on the firewall

[egchewy79]

you don't have bulb seals on? final fitment will require the bulb seal on the firewall and rear trunk side panels and side cockpit panels.
I'd get all the appropriate bulb seals in all the right places and then determine if anything else needs adjusting.

oh, and body is not meant to rest on dash hoop. it's meant to sit on the bulb seal on the firewall.

[Norm B]

This might sound funny but, make sure the nose isn't sitting too low. Jeff will be able to give you the proper distance the body should be above the side rails in the hood opening. My other suggestion is to make sure there are no obstructions holding the body from its proper position then wait a couple of days. The body will conform to the frame a bit over time.

Norm

[j.miller]

When you raise the dash you need to pay attention to the outside edges of the dash at the ends of the hoop. If the dash sits to high the body will rest on it and open up a whole other can of worms. You can trim the saddle (wings)at the dash ends ...da Bat

[rich grsc]

Take the painter tape off, then it's fine:rolleyes::p

[mlewis]

you don't have bulb seals on? final fitment will require the bulb seal on the firewall and rear trunk side panels and side cockpit panels.
I'd get all the appropriate bulb seals in all the right places and then determine if anything else needs adjusting

Yup, bulb seal on and the body is resting on it.


This might sound funny but, make sure the nose isn't sitting too low. Jeff will be able to give you the proper distance the body should be above the side rails in the hood opening. My other suggestion is to make sure there are no obstructions holding the body from its proper position then wait a couple of days. The body will conform to the frame a bit over time.

Good question. I have it lifted about .75: at the cross member in front of the radiator (approximately).


Take the painter tape off, then it's fine Why didn't I think of that :p

Seems to me I need to trim my fire wall down a 1/4" of so. Not sure anyone else has had to do the same ? I didn't want to dig into that until I was sure.

[Jeff Kleiner]

...Seems to me I need to trim my fire wall down a 1/4" of so. Not sure anyone else has had to do the same ? I didn't want to dig into that until I was sure.

The underside of the body at the front of hood opening should be approximately 5/8" above the square tubing right at the point where the tube angles down to the bumper mount plates. I've never had to trim down a firewall and wouldn't expect that you should need to as long as the bottom edge is flush with the bottom of the 2X2 tube. Look up under the cowl back at the firewall from the engine side---how compressed is the bulb seal?

Jeff

[j.miller]

Chassis is welded in a jig, fire wall is computer cut. If you put it in the correct location do NOT trim the fire wall. The tube is not a symmetrical bend and the body does not have a symmetrical curve. Move the dash.....unless you can remove the bulb seal from the firewall and it corrects your concern. In that case....TRIM THE FIREWALL.....jus sayin its the last resort...da Bat

[j.miller]

Beat to the punch by Capt. O-Ring again.....I hate that guy....but in a good way...da Bat

[Jeff Kleiner]

Beat to the punch by Capt. O-Ring again.....I hate that guy....but in a good way...da Bat

It's mutual Brother :p

"O-Ring"

[Norm B]

Could you post a picture of this area? It will help us see if something is not in the correct position.

Norm

[mlewis]

Getting back to this.

Here is a pic of the requested area

159886

Here a pic of the bulb seal on the firewall. It’s about 50% compressed

159887

Got some time tomorrow to take the body off and have a look. Need to trim a bit more of the panels around the trunk.

I will see it I can get the center of the windshield area to drop.


The underside of the body at the front of hood opening should be approximately 5/8"

I did confirm that I am about .65”. I will tweak this while the body is off.

[Norm B]

Looking at your pictures, you might have the body pulled down too tight to the hood opening frame. If you also have the the rocker panel area screwed up tight to the frame it is possible that you have forced the body to change its shape a little.
The two Jeffs are best suited to advise you on this.

[mlewis]

Adjusted the rocker attachment points and the fit of the dashboard ends. This seemed to reduce the bulge that I had and a better fit to the dash top.

A copy follow on question.

Going to work on the windshield install. How much contact should there be on along the bottom contact edge (enough to compress the gasket) ?

Unrelated question, I have good front to back and side to side alignment of the body to frame. The distance from the rear frame to the inside of the body in the quick jack area is about 3” ( not the 3.75” length per the kit hardware). I seem to have even fit around the trunk. I this OK ?

Thanks as usual