When to install "elephant ears"/ spash guards front and back

[skullandbones]

There have been several body fitment threads recently from SCFFR and I wanted to ask a related question that has not been mentioned in detail. Didn't want to get off of his thread focus so I am asking separately. Do you install the four splash guards as soon as you put the body on? I know the front ones can affect the body fitment more than the back because it is just more flexible up there. But several of the vertical surfaces take the bulb seal and I was wondering if you should fit the body without that. I like the idea of using a "scribing tool" like a compass to measure the variation of the panels to body fit but is it important to leave that off until you get a good door, trunk, and hood fitment and then install them you take the body off again? Right now I have the firewall seal on and that's all. Thank you in advance. WEK.

Note: one assumption I have made is that you have to have the body on to fit these panels properly. But there are pics of the body being installed after paint showing all the alum panels with bulb seal on them. So that could be done just before putting on the body. :confused:

[Gumball]

Timely question... I'm in the process of fitting my front/rear splash panels now. The body is on for the second test-fit and it's held in place where the final install will put it. I jacked the car up and pulled the wheels, then started with the front splash panels (those are all I've done so far). I had to do a bunch of tweeking with the pre-bends where the F panels and the splash panels meet to make sure the splash panels fit back into the front fender area properly, then I had to trim the upper "lobe" of the splash panels a bit to ensure proper room. You're correct, though, that the splash panels will move the body somewhat, particularly at the bottom where the lower portion of the front flare gets riveted to the splash panel - that can pull the fender in or push it out somewhat.

[Jeff Kleiner]

The rear ones have no effect to any moving panel but the front ones play into door and sidepipe fit. I put them on after the windshield simply because it's easier to access the RH side windshield arm to chassis bolts through the wheelwell before the elephant ear is in place. Definitely have to get them installed before attempting to fit the doors.

Jeff