Final Body Install

[jims09build]

After 9 long months of body work and doing the paint myself I am ready to put the body on my chassis. For gocarting, I have all the aluminum pieces screwed on around the radiator, the side panels, the bottom panel and a top piece that I bought from one of the vendors on here. The question is do I need to remove these pieces and reinstall them after the body is on? I think I do. Any other tips would be appreciated also.

Thank you,

Jim in Pa

[jims09build]

Bump

[JKleiner]

Remove them. When you reinstall them don't be surprised if you find that they need a bit of trimming to match up with the body.

Jeff

[jims09build]

Originally Posted by JKleiner

Remove them. When you reinstall them don't be surprised if you find that they need a bit of trimming to match up with the body.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff, I thought so. Can you tell me which vendor on here sells the storage boxes for the trunk? I did a search with no luck.

Thanks again,

Jim

[pjdavis]

I believe it is dark water - a vendor on this forum.

[cwrandolph]

Originally Posted by pjdavis

I believe it is dark water - a vendor on this forum.

Yes - Dark Water Customs. Nice modification. This will be much easier to install with the body off.

[jims09build]

I'm not having very good luck getting some other parts I ordered from DWC.

Jim

[AC Bill]

I was thinking that if you pre-fitted the body, before removing it for paint, those aluminum panels should already be in the correct position, for when you re-install it. Hopefully you used the bulb seal when pre-fitting them, or that may cause some further panel trimming to be required.
Builders have installed the body on our cars with the elephant ears and front splash shields already installed. Other than the lower rad panel, I can't see the rad side panels making a difference, but again, only if you did a pre-fit first.

[jims09build]

Originally Posted by AC Bill

I was thinking that if you pre-fitted the body, before removing it for paint, those aluminum panels should already be in the correct position, for when you re-install it. Hopefully you used the bulb seal when pre-fitting them, or that may cause some further panel trimming to be required.
Builders have installed the body on our cars with the elephant ears and front splash shields already installed. Other than the lower rad panel, I can't see the rad side panels making a difference, but again, only if you did a pre-fit first.

Yes I did pre-fit everything with the bulb seal on with the body on including the elephant ears at the time. So you are saying I only need to remove the lower radiator pan and not the elephant ears or rad. side panels?

Thank you,

Jim

[jims09build]

Originally Posted by jims09build

I'm not having very good luck getting some other parts I ordered from DWC.

Jim

Update: Chris called me this morning and every thing is fine. He will ship my order next week.

[AC Bill]

Originally Posted by jims09build

Yes I did pre-fit everything with the bulb seal on with the body on including the elephant ears at the time. So you are saying I only need to remove the lower radiator pan and not the elephant ears or rad. side panels? Thank you,
Jim

You will need some help to do it, but yes, you should be able to slip it on without issue. You will need fellows pulling the body out at the bottom, were it slips over those splash shields. The rad side panels won't make a difference getting the body on. You will need to wiggle/push/pull the body around a bit, to get it all lined up as it was originally was when you first fit it.

[bbk347]

A little sanding inside the rear fenders where the trunk aluminum side panels will hit and a smear of vasoline on the bulbseal helps alot. Basically inside near where the tailites are. The fiberglass is very rough on the inside and tends to get stuck and sometimes tears the bulbseal.

[AC Bill]

Good advice!

Some heavier mil plastic, taped to the bulb seal, will also prevent it from getting torn up. After the body is on, un-tape and simply tug on the plastic, to slip it out.