Body Installation, Uh Oh.

[Wizbangdoodle]

What made you say uh oh after you got the body installed on your roadster. What did you miss, what did you find that you should have done before installing the body?

I am slowly getting to the point of body install. I think I've got it all under control, but wanted to check in with those that have hindsight on this subject.

[cv2065]

The sides are the biggest issue. Just have someone dedicated to that task of pulling them out. Then nose down and then pull the rear back and down. Don’t forget to protect your dash edges with painters tape. Towels on the foot box sides to prevent scratches also helps.

[gbranham]

Painter's tape on all the bulb seal to keep the raw fiberglass body from ripping it. Oh, and take your sidepipes off before trying to drop the body on, because the sidepipe cutouts are nowhere big enough. And wear gloves. I got a really nice fiberglass shard in my index finger that took some serious digging to get out completely. Having one person fore, one aft, and one to pull out the sides really helps. It's kind of an uneventful task, but really transforms the look of the project. And don't mount your side louvers to the body before putting the body on. Those openings are invaluable for mounting up and tightening your sidepipe hardware.

Greg

[Mike.Bray]

Jeff Kleiner passed along his trick for dealing with the sides, a couple of pieces of PVC pipe wedged in to spread the sides as the body goes down. Makes body installation a one man deal.

214382

214383

[cv2065]

Jeff Kleiner passed along his trick for dealing with the sides, a couple of pieces of PVC pipe wedged in to spread the sides as the body goes down. Makes body installation a one man deal.

214382

214383

Good reminder. I was trying to find that post the other day

[Jeff Kleiner]

Bulb seal on the firewall, trunk sides and rear trunk lip, but not on the rear cockpit wall between the trunk sides. And don't forget the cockpit brace.

Here's the sequence when flying solo (which I actually prefer---"helpers" usually aren't ;))

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=214384&d=1669852422

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=214385&d=1669852422

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=214386&d=1669852422

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=214387&d=1669852422

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=214388&d=1669852422


Jeff

[egchewy79]

I taped strips of heavy duty trash bags on the bulb seal to prevent them from getting ripped up. Once happy w/ the body location, they pull out easily. Top corners of an upholstered dash will also get torn up by the fiberglass.

[Wizbangdoodle]

All great tips. Thanks guys.

Have any of you, once you got the body on, found out you should have done something to the chassis that you forgot. Like little wiring issues or engine stuff etc? I mean, obviously you want the wiring harness installed and you want the engine/transmission in, but beyond that, something that might not be so obvious.

[cv2065]

All great tips. Thanks guys.

Have any of you, once you got the body on, found out you should have done something to the chassis that you forgot. Like little wiring issues or engine stuff etc? I mean, obviously you want the wiring harness installed and you want the engine/transmission in, but beyond that, something that might not be so obvious.

I've had the body on and off 3 times so far. Once you get the hang of it and any "helping hands" know their role, then it's pretty easy, so if you forget to do something or need another view, it's not a big deal. Just don't forget your middle cockpit brace.:p

[BUDFIVE]

All great tips. Thanks guys.

Have any of you, once you got the body on, found out you should have done something to the chassis that you forgot. Like little wiring issues or engine stuff etc? I mean, obviously you want the wiring harness installed and you want the engine/transmission in, but beyond that, something that might not be so obvious.

Wizbang-are you installing the gas strut option on the trunk lid? If so install the frame mounts before putting the body on. It’s a PITA drilling the frame tube and riveting the mounts after, especially if you have a rear cubby or rear glove box. Ask me how I know :)

[Wizbangdoodle]

Wizbang-are you installing the gas strut option on the trunk lid? If so install the frame mounts before putting the body on. It’s a PITA drilling the frame tube and riveting the mounts after, especially if you have a rear cubby or rear glove box. Ask me how I know :)

Yes, I do have struts for the trunk. Thanks for the heads up.