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TR6 Order of operations

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Scot1966

Scot1966

Jedi Hopeful
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Hello all,
After taking almost two years off from my TR6 project, I got the ball rolling again. My frame is completed with the differential mounts braced. I need to replace all the suspension bushings, as they seem original. As far as sheet metal goes, I need to replace one floor pan, the rear valance, and the outer rocker panels. I am planning on getting a body mounting hardware kit. My question is...what is the best order to proceed with these repairs ? I have read to do all the sheet metal welding with the body bolted down to a fully loaded chassis. I still have the "X" braces in the door jams. I am thinking of doing all the suspension bushings first. That way I can button up the chassis and have a solid platform to start with. I would love to hear from the people who have done it before. Any help would be appreciated.
thanks, Scot
 
Scot, I think you will find it easier to replace all the suspension bits with the body out of the way, but having the body bolted down to do all the welding is a plus and I would go there first. Just think how much easier it will be to clean and replace all the parts without knocking your head on the body. If you are going to paint the body off the car, then another plus to keep over spray off your new parts.

Wayne
 
Pretty in agreement with Wayne above, here is my shade tree mechanic's opinion. I haven't done a 6 but I think the procedure is much the same as my 3. I assume you have the body off although it is possible to do all of this with it on. First, it is much easier to work on the suspension with the body off. Secondly, it is also much easier to replace floor pans with the body off. But to follow what you have read, tack them in place and do the final welding with everything in place, car on wheels with new suspension. The body on my TR3 has been off and on several times during restoration and still not done. Once you have all the wires, steering, hydraulics, cables etc. disconnected, it's pretty quick to pop the body on and off.
Things are much easier if you are not going to replace the inner sills. Outer sills can be done at any time but I'd do them with the final welding of the floors. Same with the rear apron.
Then body off again for paint?
 
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Thank you Wayne, and Tom. The body is currently just sitting on the frame still braced up, so I can take it off easily. I was leaning towards doing all the refurbishing and assembly of the chassis first, but I wanted some other opinions before going any further. I still have to replace all the seals / gaskets on the engine, transmission, and differential so I can get the chassis ready for the body. If I am going to go this route, I guess it makes sense to do the exhaust, all the brake / fuel lines and the whole 9 yards before I think about bolting the body down ?! I like the idea of only tacking the sheet metal in with the body off, and welding it on the frame. As gas as the final welding... Should I have the body completely bolted down with all shims, pads, etc. and every body panel on and gapped before I weld ?
 
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