The first photos here show the new steel inner rocker panel Randy builds for the fiberglass body. They utilize nutserts. The frame will have matching holes to bolt the rocker panels to the frame. It will also attach in 6 other locations. The body "can be" removed in about an hour or so. The goal is not to make the body come off quickly, nor often, just if need be to make repairs.
The odd braces are to keep everything true until the roll cage is installed.
Off to get the roll cage installed at Tolle Fab, a few doors down.
Ron, where else will the body attach to the frame besides the rockers?
And that sway bar tube up front!!! Can I get one like that for Barney?
Great question Lance.
The "Shell" attaches to the car in many places with small light attachment points.
We weld light brackets to small squares with holes (see below) and glass them into the roof in five places. Three that connect to the front roof hoop (near the windshield). Two more that connect behind the roll cage main hoop. These are primarily to prevent the body from shaking itself apart from air buffeting around it.
Randy makes two, light brackets to attach the taillight panel to the frame rails. They attach to about 24" of aluminum glassed into the body. The sheet metal trunk floor & tubs are aluminum & bond to the body about 200 linear inches.
The rear bulkhead, which we treat as a rear firewall, is made out of steel sheet metal, sealed with a special fire blocker. This bulkhead bonds to the body about 80-90 linear inches.
Where the door strikers mount, we tie into side of the roll cage main hoop with small diameter chromoly tubing. This connects the body as well. Where the door hinge mounts go, we tie into side of the roll cage firewall upright tubes with small diameter chromoly tubing & connect to the body again.
Up at the firewall, which will be also be made of steel sheet metal & sealed with a special fire blocker, the body attaches to the firewall with about 28 rivets (every 4inches).
The cockpit floor is also made out of steel sheet metal, welded in & sealed with a special fire blocker. The engine compartment sheet metal is aluminum.