Need advice - body location on frame

[all-world1]

I'm almost ready for mockup and the last thing I need to determine is where the body will sit. From the how-to's I've seen, most have the body covering about 1/2" to 3/4" of the top of the kick. Youngster recommended keeping the entire kick out of the body for more room if possible and it looks like I can get away with it.

I've got a space of 41 1/2" from back of front x-member to firewall if I leave a 1/4" gap between body and kick, and I could even bring the body forward a bit more. Question is....should I stay away from the kick a safe distance to allow for body flex?

Hope the attachement will give a good picture of where I'm at.

 

[EX JUNK]

I'm almost ready for mockup and the last thing I need to determine is where the body will sit. From the how-to's I've seen, most have the body covering about 1/2" to 3/4" of the top of the kick. Youngster recommended keeping the entire kick out of the body for more room if possible and it looks like I can get away with it.

I've got a space of 41 1/2" from back of front x-member to firewall if I leave a 1/4" gap between body and kick, and I could even bring the body forward a bit more. Question is....should I stay away from the kick a safe distance to allow for body flex?

Hope the attachement will give a good picture of where I'm at.

First, let me compliment you on that drawing, it is well done. As for allowing for "body flex", in my book there should not be any flexing and if it does then you have a problem. As for the placement of your body on the frame, I would start at the front with the radiator mounted, then measure from the back of the radiator to the back of the distributor, allowing for the cooling fan and clearance between the back of the distributor cap and the firewall. That is about as far forward as you can mount the body. Then you can see where your body will sit in relation to the rear frame kick. I would also locate where the rear end will sit and the diameter of the rear tires in order to see how the car will "profile" with the body sitting in that position. Be sure to step back and really look at that profile as it is very important to have a car that sits "right".

Jim

 

[GT63]

I'm almost ready for mockup and the last thing I need to determine is where the body will sit. From the how-to's I've seen, most have the body covering about 1/2" to 3/4" of the top of the kick. Youngster recommended keeping the entire kick out of the body for more room if possible and it looks like I can get away with it.

I've got a space of 41 1/2" from back of front x-member to firewall if I leave a 1/4" gap between body and kick, and I could even bring the body forward a bit more. Question is....should I stay away from the kick a safe distance to allow for body flex?

Hope the attachement will give a good picture of where I'm at.

Like Ex-Junk said, mock up the rest of the chassis first. That's what I did. I mounted the radiator engine, trans, rearend and had it sitting on the wheels and tires. Then I sat the body on it and slid it back and forth till I liked the profle. Turns out I had the back of my CCR body right up against the kickup.

 

[RPM]

You will be just fine with that. we allow 42" from the the rear of the front cross member to the firewall. You have 41 1/2", a half an inch won't make any difference.

Great drawing by the way.

 

[Northstar T]

It appears that you're planning to run with no bed? keg tank perhaps and high arch spring? with a bed I think they look "right" with the rear axle centered under the bed, but with an open rear, the axle needs to be closer to the body. it's all personal preference in the end, so as was stated before, get more of the major components in place, stand back and adjust till it looks right to you.

Russ

 

[Youngster]

Craig ... you are going to channel the body, right? With your SBC you should have plenty of room. If you want to tuck the radiator closer to the engine, use the short water pump. I usually go with 1/2'' between the body and the kick. Makes cleaning that area much easier. You will work out the clearence and balance issues with you mock up.

Ron

 

[all-world1]

Thanks guys, lots of good ideas to think about. I'll have to get everything together soon.

 

[all-world1]

Craig ... you are going to channel the body, right? With your SBC you should have plenty of room. If you want to tuck the radiator closer to the engine, use the short water pump. I usually go with 1/2'' between the body and the kick. Makes cleaning that area much easier. You will work out the clearence and balance issues with you mock up.

Ron

Yes Ron, it'll be channeled. I just drew the body quickly because I had already drawn the frame.

 

[Youngster]

Craig you forgot to say you'd post pics of the mock up. Just an oversight I know.

Ron

 

[all-world1]

Craig you forgot to say you'd post pics of the mock up. Just an oversight I know.

Ron

Without question Ron. Just have to get some rims and tires (or the old plywood wheel trick), and send my wife out of town for a few weeks and I'm good to go.

 

[Lee_in_KC]

If the body and the kick-up are not separated by some minimal amount (don't know the magic number, maybe 1/4"), you have a good possibility for a squeak as the body and chassis flex during driving (don't ask how I know ). When I remounted my body after painting, I put a 1/4" thick piece of conveyor belt material (thanks, EX JUNK!) between the body and kick-up (held in place with RTV), and no more squeaks!