Bodys on. Now what?

[rdc767]

I got the body on a few days ago. Engine and trainy are in. I thought I was nearing the finish. Wow. Looks like a ton of work. left to do. Not sure where to start. I guess lining up the body and riveting?
I noticed how difficult it is to lean into the engine compartment. Do most guys put it on jacks stand to work?
Ron

[Ls6venom]

Ron-
It looks great! after i got the body on the frame, and had it about lined up and secure i did put my car up on jack stands and started working on electrical, dashboard, lights ect. however i didn't have to do any riveting of aluminum panels, if you have to do that you might want to before you run wires threw the car. then you can put the steering column and steering linkage, windshield, roll bar, bumpers, and interior. But this is just me, think about what would work best in what order, and if you do get stuck you can always refer back to your manufactures assembly manual I hope i have been some form of help.
good luck!
Danny

[Roscoe]

I did not rivet the body on but, rather, drilled through the frame and bolted it on. Put it up on jackstands and take the wheels off.

build site: http://www.priveye.com/cobra.htm

Roscoe

[trularin]

I second the notion, do not rivet, use bolts.

[PNJSNAK]

Ron:

Looks good so far, long way to go is right!

Make sure the body is where you want it, then bolt it down like others have said. You might want to pop rivet in a couple of places, just to keep it lined up while you are drilling and bolting it down.

Once bolted down, get it in the air. Use heavy duty jack stands, get the wheels off and put a couple stands under the rear axle so when you attach things under the car the drive train will be in the right position. I also supported the front as well.

Then comes some fun stuff, deciding where to put the holes for the roll bar or bars, the side pipe cut outs and mounting points to the frame. Put in the fuel tank and hose, vent line and level sender.

Pedal box could be next and gas pedal.

Then the "DOORS" and the "Cowl Bar". Take your time!!!!! After they are fixed to the frame and body you can remove the doors because you will be spending a bunch of time with your body hanging over the egde of the body into the interior.

Once that is done, windsheild, wipers, you might want to figure out the dash position and the steering column location.

Then comes the electrical stuff, examine the wiring harness and figure out how you are going to run the wires thru the car, how you intend to hook up the headlights, parking and brake lights, do the dash layout for gages and then wire it, layout engine compartment electrical stuff.

Don't forget to put in "Good Ground locations". I put one up front, in the dash area and the back.

Once all the electrics are done and tested, then put in roll bar or bars, bumbpets or jack bars. Then you could start on the interior, insulation in the front of the interior and floor. Decide where the seats go and position them, take them out, parking brake, dash, gear shift, steering column, carpeting, seat belts, then put the seats back in. Mount the battery in the trunk, run the #0 or #1 battery line to the shut off then to the engine area, battery ground to the frame.

Make sure all you fluids are in the motor, tranny, radiator and rear end.

Get the freinds and champagne ready, start it up and pull it out of the garage.

Well done, congratulations.

PS, I think that was the order, I built mine in 2001, I think Roscoe did his in 2000. Don't forget to take pictures along the way, it's fun looking back at your work and progress. I really wondered if I could actually do it and now after 14k miles on it and seven years later, I am still amazed and proud that I did it.
You will be too! Don't forget, think about how to do it, ask questions here if your not sure, measure twice, then just do it. Some stuff you can always decide to do over, SOME STUFF YOU CAN NOT!

GOOD LUCK!

Jim

[rdc767]

Whats the advantage of bolting on the body over the rivets? I don't think I will take the body off again.

I guess one thing at a time. Thanks for the tips.
Ron