Body Work part 9

So after getting the brakes 90% sorted, I worked on the steering and the angel I wanted to have it to make it comfortable to drive.
So with some string holding the steering in place I think i got it just right.

Brakes part 2

Work on the passenger side brake line.

Molly grabbed the camera, so hes me happy in my work.

Its my "Straight out of bed into old clothes start work on the car" hairdo

Both front brakes lines complete,

Rear brake line done.

I just now need to trim and put the connectors on the tube abd fast to the master cylinder.

Brakes part 1

So the next step is to plumb the new brake lines, Since they were on the bottom of the chassis rails they needed to be moved.

First task was to remove the headers, this made for easier access to the chassis for putting in the self tappers.

Duck taped over the exhaust ports so that no dust or dirt can get in there while I'm working on it.

Next I double flared the end of the bundy tubing and then started the process if bending  the tube to route around the suspension  and where the steering box goes.

The brake tube runs under the steering box, theres plenty of clearance and makes for a tidy routing of the tubing.

Next night I worked on getting the tubing secure with the clips and self tappers.

The shots a bit fuzzy, i was trying to show the clearance under the steering box.

Burning the midnight oil, working on the passenger side lines, Removing headers.

Body work part 8

So after a number of trial fits I glued and screwed that bottom plate to the floor. I used the supeDupa sticky liquid nails and then clamped and screwed the plate in place.

Starting to add glue to the floor and the bottom plate, the below shot shows me 1/3 of the way through glueing up the plate.

After the plate was glued on I then clean up the welds on the chassis.

After a few days to sure I trimmed the bottom plate back to match the floor.

After doing another trial fit, either the body has warped in the glueing process or the chassis is slightly twisted, as the body dosent sit completely flat, there is about 4m gap on the front right corner. I will have to investigate where the problem is.

Body work part 7

A nice fine day and daylight saving allowed me to get a couple hours of work in on the RattyT. I now have to create a base place spacer to lift the body 8mm over the center cross member plates and the strengthening plates used by the z at the rear of the chassis.

First step was to bug my neighbour to help left the body off so I could start on the under plate.

I used the old floor to get the rough shape of the new base plate and jigsawed it out. The base plate is 9mm marine plywood.

First trial fit, pretty good, I clamped it in place and marked where I needed to make way for the cut aways to allow it to sit flat on the chassis.

Left over bits

Ready to cut out the spaces where the cross members protrude above the chassis height.

After numerous fits, heres the plate screwed to the floor for a trial fit back on to the body. After a couple of tries and some readjustment it fit as it should.

Next step will be to tidy up the plate and then glue it to the floor.

Body work part 6

So I got the body back on for the first trail fit. Everything is pretty good, I have to trim the fibreglass body at the rear as it hitting the chassis and its not allowing me to line the body up properly, but apart from that its all good.

All the clearances around the transmission are good, will do some minor alterations, But is a good fit. And the body is so much stronger that it was before, there is very little flex, theres still some but that is due to not having the front where the sub frame is, tied in to the rest of the ribbing and top rails that I have put in. That will change once I have everything finished on the interior.

Shes back from the engineer

So after a 3 weeks away RattyT is back home, with all the work done required to keep working.

Steering box mounts.

Mig welding of the rest of the pedal box and the extra body supports.

the extra cross member under the oil pan

So now I can actually start putting it back together. The only outstanding engineering part that need to be sorted is the steering. But I need the body on and everything finished before that.

Body work part 5

The top rails to the body were glued in on top of the ribs. The super no nails goop sure is strong.

Once the glue had cured for a few days, full strength is after 7days, I started on the steel sub frame for the steering, dashboard and instruments to mount to. Once I cut and bent the upright I made some feet, this is where it will be bolts to the chassis.

Getting the fee in the right place and held ready for welding

The passenger side done.

Both legs done and the top rail all welded in, and test fitted. I will have to wait until the chassis get back to make sure that the feet sill be over the chassis to bolt too. I may have to change the a little once the body is back on the chassis.

Test with the seat, thats how low I am waiting it in the body. it will be 25mm higher and I need to run some steel rails underneath to be able to bolt it to the chassis.

Test sitting in with the new seating height. As usual with Tbuckets not a lot of room.

Finished for the day.