Hatch side aluminium - when to install?

[Rian_Colorado]

Hello all -

I'm looking at doing some panel install this weekend, and I'm questioning when to install the hatch area walls. Obviously the manual shows them being installed after the body has been painted and installed. It ALSO shows that panel lip being installed UNDER the rear floor panels. However they show the rear floor panels being installed MUCH earlier in the build.

I HAVE seen some people installing these earlier in the build, and then setting the body over the top of them. (I even helped one guy do it...) I'm wondering if any of you have thoughts on why this would be best done at the later point in the build vs now? Input from folks who have done it both ways?

Similar question about the panels between the seats and the body (behind drivers left shoulder etc.)

Slowly making progress.....

Rian

[edwardb]

I followed the manual and did all the pieces you asked about after the body was on for the final time. I left a row of rivets out along the floor panels edges and it wasn't difficult to lift them enough to get the hatch area side walls underneath for the final rivets. Having said that, multiple builders have said they didn't have any issue getting the body on with those in place. So your choice I guess. As for the corner pieces behind the seats that you asked about, IMO definitely leave them out until the body is on. At least the ones in my kit wrapped around the roll bar, had bulb seal, etc. that would have made getting the body in place more difficult. Plus I wanted to make sure they fit as closely as possible since they help to seal that area and there is some variation in how they go in. But that's just me. I do recall a couple builders said they put them in before the body went on.

[michael everson]

I do them before final body install. In fact, I install all the aluminum except the pieces directly behind the driver and passenger. Too hard to get it tucked under the body.
Mike

[Jeff Kleiner]

I’ve gone on and off with Coupe bodies with the hatch side panels installed.

Jeff

[Rian_Colorado]

Thanks for the input guys. I agree with Michael that it's gotta be DAMNED difficult to get those in after the fact, and next to impossible to get any sealant in that crevice at that point too.

One other educational experience today - the rivets from FFR SUCK. They are EVER so "too wide" of a shaft. As such, the stick and clog my rivet gun ENDLESSLY. They are 0.009 thicker than others that I had on hand (but I only have like a dozen of those). Quit after 3 panels today - off to get a few hundred better rivets tomorrow...... My head hurts from banging it on the lift in frustration.
RR

[Fbird]

Leave the panels off that are behind the seats.Ask me how I know that was a bad idea. The back panels of the trunk are ok. Body can come on and off with them on. I even installed carpet except behind the rear seat with no problem before paint.

[Rian_Colorado]

Did you all do the rear wall across the back prior to body install too?

[Fbird]

I did do all the panels. I carpeted. I then installed the body; but, in order to do that I had to cut the rear seat panels in half at the top to allow the body to Slide Over. I then had to reinstall that part once the body was on. If I did it again I would leave the rear trunk panel off and the one panel behind the seat off. The rear one allows the rear taillights to have easier installation. I did not follow the instructions carefully enough. This worked, but leaving the back trunk panel off would have been easier. I did things a bit backward due to constraints with money/parts and the desire to make any progress I could with what I had. I would love to do it again and i know I could do it that much better. I just have to get this one titled this spring and 100% road worthy. Here is my build if you care to look.

https://sites.google.com/view/todds-type-65/home

[David Williamson]

Leave the rear aluminum panel off until the body is on for the final time. You need access to the rear body mounts and the tail light wiring. The side panels can go on before the body goes on.
David W

[UpNorth]

Leave the rear aluminum panel off until the body is on for the final time. You need access to the rear body mounts and the tail light wiring. The side panels can go on before the body goes on.
David W

Same here.

[BigShooter]

Leave the panels off that are behind the seats.Ask me how I know that was a bad idea. The back panels of the trunk are ok. Body can come on and off with them on. I even installed carpet except behind the rear seat with no problem before paint.

I'm close to this point in my build too. Why leave off the panels behind the seats? (the verticle ones with triangle top behind the outside shoulder?)

[David Williamson]

it makes puting the body on easier. If they are in place you will have to bend them a little to get the body on but not a big deal. I had them in place when I put my body on.
David W

[Rian_Colorado]

Those panels behind the seats are a HUGE pain to get the body over. Pretty good chance of scratching up paint if you try it in my opinion. That triangle piece IS the issue. As David said said - it's possible, but you'll need to bend them a bit.....