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-   -   GRP rear tub - a bit too wide...? (http://www.haynes.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=13238)

jps 1st April 2014 09:16 PM

GRP rear tub - a bit too wide...?
 
Last night I finally got round to offering up the Equinox rear tub that I bought 14 months ago....

It was only a very rough placing of the panel over the frame - but it seems to be coming up slightly on the wide side. I measured the chassis width - and it is bang on the book spec. I didn't measure the GRP precisely - but would estimate that the GRP panel is about 8-10mm over width altogether - so overhanging the metalwork by about 4-5mm each side.

First thought is that I space out the side panels an equivalent amount (assuming I have enough material on them to do so) - to maintain a 'straight side' to the bodywork.

Or do I need to look at another solution?

Numplumb 1st April 2014 11:46 PM

I bought mine from Equinox and it fits perfect, we'll made part can't fault there products.

Regards Mick.

Ben_Copeland 2nd April 2014 08:16 AM

As with Mick,

Perfect fit, and the original panels/mould where built on a Haynes chassis.

How have you stored the panel? It's not been laying on it's back with the sides in the air has it??

jps 2nd April 2014 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben_Copeland (Post 96480)
As with Mick,

Perfect fit, and the original panels/mould where built on a Haynes chassis.

How have you stored the panel? It's not been laying on it's back with the sides in the air has it??

It has mostly been stored in the position it would actually be fitted to the chassis - but has spent some time as you've described.

I do understand that GRP can warp - and be bent back to shape too - but given the 'lip' that the moulding has - I'm not sure how the whole thing is slightly too wide though? It's not as though it has splayed outwards at the open end - it's as though the whole panel (i.e. - the bit the numberplate will attach to) is a few mm wider than it needs to be...


Anyway - regardless of how it has got like this - what's the best approach to get it to fit?

a) mount the rear panel and side panels slightly away from the chassis (pad it out with something)
b) try and persuade the rear panel to fit to the chassis somehow
c) something else

Ben_Copeland 2nd April 2014 04:00 PM

In reality it doesn't really matter too much if its not tight to the chassis.

Mines riveted along the bottom flange to the chassis and riveted behind the rear arches.

Once the rear arches are fitted I don't think you'll notice if the ends are pulled in slightly as the panel will be pulled about to match the arch shape.

jps 2nd April 2014 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben_Copeland (Post 96490)
In reality it doesn't really matter too much if its not tight to the chassis.

Mines riveted along the bottom flange to the chassis and riveted behind the rear arches.

Once the rear arches are fitted I don't think you'll notice if the ends are pulled in slightly as the arches will be pulled about to match the arch shape.

Fair enough - I did look at the pics of Stots car on his build thread and basically go "ah - it'll all be covered up by wheel arch anyway"!!!

Is your car going to be at Stoneleigh Ben? If so I'll come and have a good look at it!!!! (with a T-square in hand!)

Ben_Copeland 2nd April 2014 04:28 PM

I'm hoping to be, but not sure yet. Have to see who else is going from Kent.

Otherwise your welcome to visit Margate and i'll take you out in it

Stot 2nd April 2014 05:16 PM

My tub fitted ok too but I probably had to coax it a little bit. I had more or a problem with my side panels but have it looking ok now albeit with a gap at the front top rails.

Cheers
Stot

Ben_Copeland 2nd April 2014 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stot (Post 96495)
My tub fitted ok too but I probably had to coax it a little bit. I had more or a problem with my side panels but have it looking ok now albeit with a gap at the front top rails.

Cheers
Stot

My side panels were bloody tight by the time they went over the aluminium floor panel !

Stot 2nd April 2014 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben_Copeland (Post 96496)
My side panels were bloody tight by the time they went over the aluminium floor panel !

They were definately tight and this was splaying them out a bit so I ended up with a gap but I packed it out in places and have it looking descent now. once the nose is on etc.

Dave very kindly sent me some yellow and green gelcoat today to touch up my nosecone and other scrapes. Top bloke.

Cheers
Stot

Ben_Copeland 2nd April 2014 05:22 PM

Ah I see... they weren't that tight lol

jps 2nd April 2014 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stot (Post 96497)
They were definately tight and this was splaying them out a bit so I ended up with a gap but I packed it out in places and have it looking descent now. once the nose is on etc.

Dave very kindly sent me some yellow and green gelcoat today to touch up my nosecone and other scrapes. Top bloke.

Cheers
Stot

What did you use to pack out?

j.brownster79 2nd April 2014 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben_Copeland (Post 96492)
I'm hoping to be, but not sure yet. Have to see who else is going from Kent.

Otherwise your welcome to visit Margate and i'll take you out in it

I'm hoping u do aswell Ben want to see this bodywork! equinox is the body work I'm hoping to order! Heard all good things about it.

mgglep 2nd April 2014 08:36 PM

I bought my sides and rear from equinox absolutely top quality and fitted perfect with just a tiny push really rigid aswell

Stot 2nd April 2014 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jps (Post 96501)
What did you use to pack out?

I used the bits of GRP that I had trimmed off.

Cheers
Stot

Ben_Copeland 2nd April 2014 08:54 PM

Haha well if everyone chips in for the petrol I'll drive to stoneleigh in it lol

j.brownster79 2nd April 2014 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben_Copeland (Post 96507)
Haha well if everyone chips in for the petrol I'll drive to stoneleigh in it lol

Claim ur fuel from equinox as I'm sure they will get some orders!

Ben_Copeland 4th April 2014 10:38 PM

Looks like I'll be going.

jps 9th April 2014 09:41 PM

Thought i'd post an update in case anyone reads this thread in the future. I had another play with the rear tub today. It seems that I had been hasty before - the top of the Equinox panel fits nicely, it's the bottom that was wider. After a bit of a prod I've come to the opinion that this is because there is no structural rigidity in the panel - so it flexes - I am guessing that as the sides flare outward at the bottom the back of the panel bows in a little...

I think once I trim it all to fit (I am doing the rear roll bar stays to Book spec - so can't actually get the panel on without cutting chunks out of it) and actually clamp it in place the sides will fit nicely - and squarely.

So I don't need to worry about spacing out my side panels either. Hurrah!

jps 28th November 2017 11:41 AM

Thread resurrection!

A mere 3 and half years later, I have actually started trimming my rear panel to fit! I think I am going to end up with some pushing and pulling to do - but hopefully I can even up the spacing enough that any curves or flaring towards the back of the car is not very noticeable.

Part of the problem is that I am fitting the Equiniox rear panel around what is effectively 'book spec' metalwork for the rear of the car (including the rear rollbar stays as drawn in the book). It is close to fitting, even with the curved top tubes and the fact that the Equinox panel wraps over like an inverted 'U' section, but inevitably is making the whole job more challenging.

I am probably hoping to achieve panel gaps/alignment that is better than I will realistically achieve. However - this is the joy of making ones own car!

CarlW 1st December 2017 08:31 AM

Hi Guys,

When your fitting your rear tub etc, did you have all the rear built to book? i.e all the rounded tubes etc as I know other body suppliers have said leave them off?

Ben_Copeland 2nd December 2017 06:15 AM

I cut the top rear curved tube off to make fitting easier. If you’ve got an equinox rear there’s no need for the rear bar as it’s plenty strong enough. Unless your roll bar is braced back to it. (Which personally I think is a horrible idea anyway, as the rear frame work is not very strong)

jps 3rd December 2017 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarlW (Post 105802)
Hi Guys,

When your fitting your rear tub etc, did you have all the rear built to book? i.e all the rounded tubes etc as I know other body suppliers have said leave them off?

I have a 'book spec' rear end and am keeping it all in place - and trimming my Equinox rear panel to fit round it. It almost fits around the curves already - but not quite exactly.

It would be much easier to fit the panel if there was no metalwork in the way but for my car I want to keep the look of the book spec 'roll bar' (although with regards to Bens comment I don't think it actually provides roll over protection it is a strong anchor for the harnesses)

Ben_Copeland 3rd December 2017 08:35 PM

You better hope it does provide some, it’s the only thing stopping you getting killed in rollover / flip :eek:

jps 4th December 2017 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben_Copeland (Post 105805)
You better hope it does provide some, it’s the only thing stopping you getting killed in rollover / flip :eek:

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: Plenty of cars don't have any meaningful rollover protection - I wouldn't look to put a cage on an E-type Jag if I had one...

Ben_Copeland 5th December 2017 07:11 AM

Of course not unless you were racing it. But that’s not the point. They were cars designed without a roll bar / cage. The Haynes WAS designed with a rollbar so why not have it functional, otherwise it’s just weight that you don’t need.

Ianr 5th December 2017 09:10 AM

A friend of mine was once a fireman and went to a 7 accident where the driver was killed - I won't put details - which had no roll bar, he will not go in one now without a full roll cage


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