Lifting centre section of bodywork

[TangoGTR]

Removing bodywork after pre fit, to finish fit of tanks etc.

When removing the centre section of GTR is it advisable to do so with doors locked in place to help rIgidity, or should they be removed 1st ? I was leaning towards 1st option then wondered if any flex could actually increase risk of damage with doors in place

Cheers Dave

[Storer]

I never tried it with the doors on. The doors are not very strong and are not designed for stretching stresses and it is easy to crack the gel coat. I don't think you will be able to pull the front of the centre section back from under the chassis tube at the bottom of the dash with the doors on.

Putting the body back on will be best done with two as you will have applied mastic to bond the sections. This should avoid problems.

Paul

[Steve_D]

I'm surprised the doors are fitted. It is my understandingthat the doors should not be trimmed to fit until the body has been bonded in place and the windscreen fitted. Until the screen is in there is too much flex in the body to obtain a consistent shut line of the doors.

Steve

[Gulf LS3]

i would not fit the doors until the body has had a little time to settle as well, as Steve says i would have the screen in as well

[TangoGTR]

Cheers guys. It was factory pre fit, so doors were fitted but as stated some of the panel fit will need refining.

Anyway, doors are now back off based on advise here & will look to remove centre body some time this week.

What tips for getting this part of bodywork off, taking in to account the dash is lipped under chassis tube ?

Dave

[738 driver]

What tips for getting this part of bodywork off, taking in to account the dash is lipped under chassis tube ?

Dave
[/quote]



Tis a quick flick and watch the finger-tip skin job... maybe with a few grp creaks n groans along the way.. Two pairs of hands really, otherwise the gel might suffer !

G Luck.

[TangoGTR]

Thanks. Is it worth taping a piece of wood between front and back of door opening to stop risk of body flexing too much, when removing ?

[Paul.B]

In all honesty, if you are carefull and have an extra pair of hands it will not be required. You will wince and panic whilst getting it past the dash chassis rail. The rear side pod studs always seemed to threaten the gel coat too! And check you have sufficient height to do the lift without hitting the garage roof!!!

[TangoGTR]

Cheers. Just spoken to factory too, who stated to lift off rear studs 1st, then chassis rail and don't be too worried by the flex in the centre section when doing all this.

Soon find out tonight

[TangoGTR]

With help of Sone and Speedster356, plus a few tinnies I'm pleased to say it was pretty straight forward, apart from forgetting to undo the gas struts for door hinges....doh .

Cheers guys for the help !

[356Speedster]

You're welcome was a good man-evening!

[sone]

No mention of the fish tank, there's gratitude for ya!

[TangoGTR]

sone said:

No mention of the fish tank, there's gratitude for ya!

Had to get it setup for piccy for ya. Cheers for this matey

Been a change working on a different type of plastic tub

[Fat Albert]

Looks like a freshwater setup, what are you keeping in there?
I have a 100 gallon tank with an aggressive community (Oscar, Quetzal, catfish, etc)

[TangoGTR]

Only setup today so need couple of weeks for it to settle.

Thinking of some bottom feeder catfish and possibly some discus.