Body to Dash Contact

[Railroad]

I am nearing getting my car in the shop for paint.
I wonder if the lip of the fiberglass dash top where it rolls onto the padded dash needs any protection.
I am thinking something like some U shaped molding on the fiberglass lip would protect the vinyl on the padded dash.
Is this needed?

[CraigS]

No, much better to trim the fiberglass. I like to run a marker along resting it on the dash but marking the underside of the fiberglass. Then w/ body off it is reasonably easy to trim the body. Go for something in the 1/8 to 3/16 gap body to dash.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Body needs to be trimmed so that it doesn’t touch. Usually this needs to be done not only for dash clearance but so that the body can be moved far enough forward for proper door and hood positioning.

Jeff

[txboiler]

Body needs to be trimmed so that it doesn’t touch. Usually this needs to be done not only for dash clearance but so that the body can be moved far enough forward for proper door and hood positioning.

Jeff

Jeff I am to this point on my build as well. I have trimmed the trunk panels (both horizontal and vertical side panel). It looks like I need to trim the body about 1/4 of an inch to get the door openings positioned (centered) between door hinges and latch on aft side.

Does this sound typical? I plan to sneak up on that 1/4 inch measurements in several steps. I have marked with a marker like CraigS mentioned.

But was in the easiest way to trim? router bit seems slightly terrifying and a cut off wheel with a strip a metal to protect the underside of the upper surface

[ggunter]

A small pneumatic hack saw works great for trimming the body in all areas, dash wheel openings, vent cutouts , etc.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Jeff I am to this point on my build as well. I have trimmed the trunk panels (both horizontal and vertical side panel). It looks like I need to trim the body about 1/4 of an inch to get the door openings positioned (centered) between door hinges and latch on aft side.

Does this sound typical? I plan to sneak up on that 1/4 inch measurements in several steps. I have marked with a marker like CraigS mentioned.

But was in the easiest way to trim? router bit seems slightly terrifying and a cut off wheel with a strip a metal to protect the underside of the upper surface

My usual is a 40 grit flap disc on an angle grinder followed by 80 on a DA for cleanup.

Jeff

[txboiler]

My usual is a 40 grit flap disc on an angle grinder followed by 80 on a DA for cleanup.

Jeff

thanks Jeff!!!

[GoDadGo]

I marked my dash and rear cockpit areas with a Sharpie and then sanded things down with a belt sander.

[CraigS]

In addition to getting clearance so the dash cover doesn't get ruined, and for body position, this isn't some thing that will happen a lot but...if you happen to get into a position where the gap is visible, a constant gap looks a heck of a lot nicer than what you would have w/ what FFR leaves you. BTW, I am not knocking FFR at all, they do a great job for what they sell the kit for.