Initial body fitment tips

[Bill Elliott]

I am very close to doing the initial fitment of the body. I am wondering if there is anything to do prior to attempting this, and what to do, not do, or look for. I have a mechanically sound car right now. Everything is working, car runs good. Only a few interior items to finish like wiring in the cup hold lights, USB charger, making a place to mount some items between the dash and top of trans tunnel, and seats/heaters. Alignment and ride height is set.

Question is do I have to put the bulb seals on before first time putting body on? I know care has to be taken to avoid damage to the bulb seals. Is the body just going to rest on those ? What adjustments are to be made as far as how the body sits on the car?

Thanks for the help.

Bill

[egchewy79]

put the bulb seal on for your test fit. The underside of the body will tear up the seal unless you put some strips of plastic/heavy trash bag over the tops. I taped them in place loosely and removed them once I was happy w/ the body placement. also be mindful of the tops of your dash corners if already finished.
Make sure you've trimmed the rolled edge of the dash about 1/4" to allow the body to sit forward enough. Door strikers on the frame should sit around 1/8-1/4" behind the body.
Center the body...fewer adjustments possible in the rear and more opportunities in the front. Measure from the shock towers to the lip of the wheel well. Don't use the hood opening as this is not symmetric.
Have the body sit above the frame about 5/8-3/4" where the radiator cross member meets the side 3/4" frame by using a spacer of some sort there.
Adjust the front quick jack frame mounts to fit the body opening. not unusual to need to move the DS one towards the center like 1/4-1/2". Stick a 2x4 into the wheel well and whack it w/ a BFH to move it.

[Mike.Bray]

Jeff Kleiner shared with me his trick to getting the body on using a couple of pieces of PVC pipe. I can tell you it works like a champ.

https://www.imagecoast.com/images/MichaelBray1/scherzmounting1.jpg

https://www.imagecoast.com/images/MichaelBray1/scherzmounting2.jpg

[Jeff Kleiner]

Well there you go! My friends Chewy and Mike just saved me from having to type a bunch of words. Only thing I have to add is don't forget to put the cockpit brace in as shown in my pics that Mike posted :D

Jeff

[Bill Elliott]

Well there you go! My friends Chewy and Mike just saved me from having to type a bunch of words. Only thing I have to add is don't forget to put the cockpit brace in as shown in my pics that Mike posted :D

Jeff

Are the pvc pipes just resting there or do you have to tie them down?

[Jeff Kleiner]

Are the pvc pipes just resting there or do you have to tie them down?

They are in the “elbows” of the door hinges and I run a bungee cord between them. Once the body is lowered enough that the rockers clear the hinges I yank them out.

Jeff