Assembly order

[Griz]

Just some minor mechanical adjustments remain in the BJ7. Soon will be moving on to the next phase of reassembly, but my question to the group is, is it better to install the interior, carpeting, seats etc. first, or install body panels first?

Griz

 

[healeyblue]

I did the rear body panels first otherwise you may be covering bolt holes up with vinyl or carpet.

 

[Rob Glasgow]

I did the body panels first and then the carpets and interior. Also, make sure you finish installing the rear fenders before you glue the trunk liner to the sides. Otherwise you'll have a bear of a time getting the fenders attached. And remember you'll probably need to remove and reinstall the body panels and doors several times before you're really done. That was a surprise to me.

 

[Griz]

Good info guys, but Rob, I'm curious. Why did you have to remove the doors and sheet metal several times?

Griz

 

[DerekJ]

…because it is very difficult to get all of the panels correctly lined up and the doors hung correctly. Most people assemble all the panels on the car, get them all lined up (after much effort) then remove them for painting. Of course it depends on the level of restoration you are carrying out. Others just paint them on the car.

 

[DerekJ]

…make sure all the wiring and hot and cold air trunking is finished before installing the shroud and fenders.

 

[Rob Glasgow]

Griz, its like DerekJ said, mostly to get the panel gaps and alignment correct. But also to redo some things in the engine compartment, remove the fender beads, etc. I had spent hours fitting the panels and doors to the car before I sent it in for body work, then removed everything again to take just the panels and doors back for paint, then reassemble every thing again, then remove them to do something I should have done before.....you get the picture. I know every screw and bolt on those panels very well.....
As far as the air tubing for the hearer and fresh air duct, I found it better to leave them off until I installed the front fenders. It's certainly easier to put them on before the fenders, but them you have an almost impossible job in getting the fender bolts on with them in place.
Oh by the way, you get to remove the doors every time you want the take the front fenders off. I finally cut the heads off 4 bolts that I would screw into the hinge mounting holes (two on the upper and two on the lower hinge) to use as guide pins when rehanging the doors. That way I didn't have to try to hold the door in position while I started the door hinge screws. Once I had two Phillip headed screws installed in each hinge, I pulled the "headless screws" and installed the Remaining PH screws. Saved a lot of frustration or asking my wife to help.

 

[DerekJ]

Rob is correct. Put the air trunking in after you have attached the wings to the shroud. My mistake. I just did this but my car doesn't have any ducting so it was easy.

 

[Griz]

Good info about the air ducting and cut-off bolts, I'll certainly keep those in mind. However, my body panels are already painted and have been "fit checked" to the car, all by a well respected British car professional to ensure that proper gaps have been achieved. I'm hoping (maybe against hope?) that that translates into hanging the sheet-metal once and then making only minor tweaks to get everything aligned properly.

Griz

 

[Rob Glasgow]

Just to further clarify. Test fit, cut ,bend and install the clamps and hoses for the air ducting before installing any of the panels including the front shroud if possible. Install and remove several times so you know the hose ends will slip on the flanges easily. Once you've "trained" them, the hoses will fit back in place easier when the fenders are installed. They can be a pain.

 

[Keoke]

but my question to the group is, is it better to install the interior, carpeting, seats etc. first, or install body panels first?

Body Panels First.