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gtrplyr Samba Member
Joined: November 10, 2014 Posts: 101 Location: kansas
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Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 6:53 am Post subject: Getting body to fit frame |
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Finally getting to mount the body for test fit before paint. There was a gap on both sides of just under 1.75" and it took some heat a few big clamps. Weather was nice yesterday so I took advantage of that. My questions, how long should I leave the clamps on so the body stays flat, and is it a good idea to make some plates to cover the lip instead of just bolting it down? I was thinking of a 1.5" plate, full length, with carriage bolts from the bottom with cap (acorn) nuts on the top. Any suggestions? It only took two years, one month and two days to get to this point. |
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wythac Samba Member
Joined: August 02, 2004 Posts: 2791
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Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 10:47 am Post subject: Re: Getting body to fit frame |
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I used some aluminum to make sill plates. I didn't like the wobbly look I see on many body installations where the sill puckers around where the bolts go thru.
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didget69 Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2004 Posts: 4927 Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
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Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 10:48 am Post subject: Re: Getting body to fit frame |
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My vintage buggy body had warps & twists in it. I did similarly to your method, but also applied heat. As it was Summertime when I was working on the body, I parked the clamped body in the sun & also covered it with thick sheet back plastic - like trashcan liners - and made an 'oven'.
bnc _________________ I never found the need to impress people with any mechanic certifications, trophies or track wins... unless it was for Mom to post on the refrigerator door. |
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didget69 Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2004 Posts: 4927 Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
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Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 10:49 am Post subject: Re: Getting body to fit frame |
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Will you be installing a rollbar or cage? _________________ I never found the need to impress people with any mechanic certifications, trophies or track wins... unless it was for Mom to post on the refrigerator door. |
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bigfatloser Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2014 Posts: 94 Location: High Desert Calif
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Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 10:55 am Post subject: Re: Getting body to fit frame |
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I added a plate to mine.
_________________ DMZFAB.COM |
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jspbtown Samba Member
Joined: January 27, 2004 Posts: 5156
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Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 1:35 pm Post subject: Re: Getting body to fit frame |
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Since you look like you have some fab skills why not make up some plates with either hidden bolts or maybe something counter sunk into the plate itself for a nice smooth look.
Those are the details that can set your buggy build off from the rest of the crowd. |
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bigfatloser Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2014 Posts: 94 Location: High Desert Calif
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Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 1:43 pm Post subject: Re: Getting body to fit frame |
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I plan on replacing the standard hex head bolts with button head allen bolts. _________________ DMZFAB.COM |
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gtrplyr Samba Member
Joined: November 10, 2014 Posts: 101 Location: kansas
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Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 5:55 pm Post subject: Re: Getting body to fit frame |
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There is a roll bar that attaches into the upright tubes at the front. You can see the bolts sticking into the nuts welded at the top of the tubes. Not very good pictures, sorry. The rear of the roll bar has plates that bolt thru the fiberglass and then thru the frame. In one of the pictures you can see a torpedo heater used to warm the 'glass a bit. I got it up to about 120 degrees without any adverse effects. I was mainly concerned about the time-frame of leaving it clamped so it doesn't try to resort back to its original shape. I appreciate all the info, you guys are great. |
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