Part trim panels option
From GTM Workshop
The hard trim panel option kit provides the builder with the opportunity of hard trimming all those panels that in the standard kit are soft trimmed by the direct application of trim material to the inner surface of the monocoque. The hard trim panels are made so that they can be trimmed away from the car and then screwed to the inner face of the monocoque. All the trim panels are secured in position by number 8 self tapping screws and these are provided within the hard trim pack option in the fastener pack T1701 . The hard trim panels must be fitted to the car and adjusted to get the correct gaps prior to any trim material glued to them Time spent in getting the clearances and fits now will be well rewarded once the trim material is glued to the trim panels.
Start by fitting the drivers and passenger’s side screen pillars to the monocoque the edge that goes round the front screen goes round the monocoque up to the glass when fitted. The top corners of the screen where the trim panels comes round to meet the roof panel will have to be carefully trimmed back to get a flush fit with the roof panel where it comes round. Do not remove too much of the rebate where the screen glues in. Drill the screen pillar screw holes with a 5mm clearance drill. Holding the panels in the position required drill through this 5mm hole with a 3.5mm drill into the composite roll cage. A selection of screws are included within the fastener pack to enable you to select the correct length of screw required for the particular application. Now screw the panel through the composite roll cage to hold in the desired position. Note that it is not designed so that you tighten up the screws fully to pull the panel home against the roll cage but that you tighten the screws to a point where the inner panel is held securely and in the right place. The desired position will be easily seen once you tighten up the panel.
It is a good idea at this stage to fit the dash top into position and make any adjustments you require to the clearances between the screen pillars and the dash top to equalise the gap. Remember that trim material is going to fit round the dash top and onto the screen pillars and therefore a clearance is essential. A clearance in the order of 3mm is ideal.
With the screen pillars left in place now fit the roof section. The roof section fits up in a similar manner to the screen pillars and is attached through the self- tapping screws into the composite cage. Here again do not over tighten the self- tapping screws, as they are not meant to pull the roof section tight up against the composite cage.
Leaving the roof panel in place now hold up the rear window surround. The rear window surround is designed so that the panel fits up flush against the rear window when fitted. It will be found necessary to trim the rebate which holds the rear window to allow the roof panel to fit through the aperture. Do not over trim the aperture as a certain amount of rebate is required to glue the rear screen in place.
Holding the rear panel in place mark the position of the bottom securing screws through the panel onto the rear face of the monocoque. Cut yourself a piece of half inch of ply or similar wood and secure this to the rear panel with body filler. This ply is to enable you to screw through and secure the rear window surround to the monocoque and provide a spacer so that sound proofing material can be glued to the monocoque prior to fitting the rear window surround to deaden the sound from the engine into the monocoque.
With the rear window surround in place fit the B post side panels to the car. The side panels have to packed out from the monocoque at the rear quarters so that they meet up with the rear window surround panel. Pack out with any suitable Wood until you get a nice clearance between the rear window surround and the side panel. The wood can be attached to the monocoque with body filler and of course not seen once the trim panels are in place. Body filler a suitable piece of wood into the top of the B post to accept the fixing screws at the top of the trim panel. Note these fixing plates do not have to be flush with the panel purely sufficient thickness to allow the attaching screws to have sufficient threads in them to hold the side panel. Where the seat belt mounting has to go through the side panels drill a small 10mm hole to enable you to see the exact position of the seat belt mounting through the hole and then open out this hole to the correct position to approximately 25mm in diameter. Go carefully here as it is easy! to get the hole in the wrong place. Take the driver’s side B post panel off and fit the petrol neck cover over the petrol neck.
Replace the driver’s side B post panel and adjust the petrol neck cover to get the appropriate gaps. Secure the petrol neck cover panel to the monocoque drilling through the top panel of the rear box section.
Once you are satisfied with all the clips remove the hard trim panel and these are now ready to be trimmed with your chosen material.
