Papa's MKIV Roadster Build - #9115 (Post Grad) - One million + views!!!

[stevant]

I got approval from my lovely wife to go ahead and order a lift for my shop! I ended up ordering a Bendpak XPR-10AS-LP two-post lift.



I found a local installer that I'll have the lift shipped to and then they will bring it to my home and install it. I have an install date of July 10th. In the meantime, I'll need to wire the 220v circuit. Thanks to everyone who provided feedback on their lifts. I was really torn between the Bendpak and Atlas and ultimately decided that I would go with the Bendpak.

I have the approval, just don’t have the height. I’m envious. I’m trying to convince the wife that we only need 6 foot ceilings in the bedroom so the lift will work! Don’t think I’m selling her on that one!!

Enjoy it!

[Papa]

I have the approval, just don’t have the height. I’m envious. I’m trying to convince the wife that we only need 6 foot ceilings in the bedroom so the lift will work! Don’t think I’m selling her on that one!!

Enjoy it!

Have you looked at Bendpak's Gand-prix series?

https://www.bestbuyautoequipment.com...hoCweEQAvD_BwE

[stevant]

I only have 89”.....It’s real low! I have quickjacks, better than nothing. I can get the entire car about 23”’off thr ground. Better than nothing,

[Papa]

It's been a couple weeks since I've had any time to devote to my build, but today I was able to get my freshly powder coated hood hinges assembled.



I hope to finish the hood install and get the trunk lid mounted in the next couple of days.

[Papa]

All I wanted for Father's Day this year was to have some time to actually work on my car. So, today I finished the hood install.









The gaps will all need to be worked to perfection, but that will be left to the pros. All I'm looking for right now is basic fit and function.

All the big tasks that are left before body & paint:

1) Mount the doors
2) Mount the trunk lid
3) Install the gas cap
4) Mount the windshield
5) Install the wipers
6) Wire and install the lighting
7) Blow it all apart and undercoat the body
8) Install the carpet
9) Install all the weather strip
10) Reassemble
11) Attempt Colorado Registration
12) Deliver to Jeff when he's ready for it sometime this winter

[Yama-Bro]

Is it starting to feel like you are on the final stretch?

[Papa]

Is it starting to feel like you are on the final stretch?

It certainly does, but at the same time it feels like the end is miles away.

[stevant]

Looking good Dave!!!!

[Papa]

Today's number one task was to run my 220V circuit in preparation for my lift install. Crawling around in an insulated attic is no fun, but I have my circuit ready for the lift. The only task I completed on the car today was to work the side louvre openings. I did the body cutout option from FFR, so they were in the ballpark and just needed some refinement. Next, I'll try to get the mounting posts set using High Strength Repair Filler -- expensive stuff! I'm also toying with the idea of using the same 3M fastener tape that I used on my tunnel cover to make the louvres easy to remove for access if I need it later.

[Papa]

I'm on vacation this week and hope to get to spend a lot more time on the car. Today I installed and wired up the tail lights. I had to open up the holes a bit larger than the pre-cut openings to get them to sit flush against the body.



I used weatherpack connectors to connect them up and I'm happy to report that the lights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard flashers all work correctly. I did have to adjust the brake light switch to get it where I wanted it, but all is good!

[MarM]

Nice work. I read your whole post, every word last night. That looks exactly like what I have been dreaming about.

[Papa]

Nice work. I read your whole post, every word last night. That looks exactly like what I have been dreaming about.

Welcome to the forum and thanks for taking time to read through my build thread. Don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions.

Dave

[Papa]

Another day with time to work on the car! Today I tackled the front marker/signal lights. These seemingly simple jobs always eat up much more time than you think they are going to take. In my case, I spent a lot of time tweaking the brackets that go from the front of the frame where the quick jack bolts attach out to the marker light opening. I carefully bent the powder coated brackets to get them the sit flush against the body and then spent a bit of time massaging the fiberglass openings to get them large enough to allow the lights to sit flush against the body. On to the electrical. I installed weather pack connectors for these lights as well and all functions work correctly!



Have a great 4th of July everyone!

[GoDadGo]

Looking Good Papa and by the way, thanks for posting pics of your hood hinges.

Also, consider adding additional grounds for your high load items like your head lights and cooling fan.
Heck consider adding pig tails out back for your tail lights too if have the time.

It Can't Hurt To Have Extra Grounds On These Fiberglass Bodied Cars Of Ours!

Steve

[Papa]

Looking Good Papa and by the way, thanks for posting pics of your hood hinges.

Also, consider adding additional grounds for your high load items like your head lights and cooling fan.
Heck consider adding pig tails out back for your tail lights too if have the time. I won't do anything with the doors until later, and I left the openings for the side pipes close for now.

It Can't Hurt To Have Extra Grounds On These Fiberglass Bodied Cars Of Ours!

Steve

Thanks, Steve. On the front, I pigtailed the ground so that I could easily remove each light fixture separately. I'm going to go back and redo the wiring on the rear to do the same thing for the grounds as well as the other shared wires. The way I have it right now, I have to disassemble the plugs to separate the two tail lights to remove them from the body -- not sure what I was thinking when I put them together like that.


Dave

[japollon]

Dave, In your initial fitment and positioning of the body, did you leave the bulb seal off? Thanks, Joel

[Papa]

Dave, In your initial fitment and positioning of the body, did you leave the bulb seal off? Thanks, Joel

Joel,

I don't have any weather strip in place yet. Once I get the basic fit and function I plan to blow it back apart and get the seals in place.

Dave

[japollon]

Perfect! My plan too. Joel

[Tex2131]

Dave, I would appreciate some pictures when you wire your license plate light. I've studied the forum and think the wiring goes into the trunk lid but not sure where. Thanks, Don.

[Papa]

Dave, I would appreciate some pictures when you wire your license plate light. I've studied the forum and think the wiring goes into the trunk lid but not sure where. Thanks, Don.

I'm going to follow eduardb's example from his 20th Anniversary build thread. In one of his finished car pictures you can see where he brings the wires in at a point between the passenger hinge mount and the ribbing. Look at the fourth picture in post #593 of his build thread:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...l=1#post269183

[Papa]

More progress today! First, I installed the trunk lid. I didn't trim anything and it fits in the opening pretty well; good enough for now.





Next, I hung the doors. The passenger side is pretty close, but the driver's side is going to be a challenge. I'm going to hold off on mounting the latches for now.







And lastly, I finished up connecting my seat heater harnesses in the tunnel and installed the shift boot and trim ring.



I spent the rest of the day moving my shelves with all my parts from my shop into my other garage in preparation for the lift install that is scheduled for Tuesday. All in all, a very productive day today.

[stevant]

Car is looking sweet!!!! Like the leather!!!!

[Tex2131]

I'm going to follow eduardb's example from his 20th Anniversary build thread. In one of his finished car pictures you can see where he brings the wires in at a point between the passenger hinge mount and the ribbing. Look at the fourth picture in post #593 of his build thread:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...l=1#post269183

Perfect! You are the man.

[Papa]

Today I installed the gas cap. While tightening the screws, I snapped the head off one of them before it could thread itself into the 7/64" pilot hole. I picked up a pack at my local HD and also picked up a box of oval-head 8-32 x 1" stainless with washers and lock nuts. I think I'm just going to go with machine screws all around on the cap.



Next, I started on the license plate bracket. I started doing the Kleiner mod and stopped before cutting the clear lens. From my test fit, it still looks like I'll be a bit into the trunk handle with the bottom of the plate. I think I'm going to modify the plate hanger as Jeff instructs, but will do a cutout on the aluminum stock to fit the shape of the light. I'll do the same with the plate and that should get me where I need to be. I'll be sure to post pictures when I have my final design completed.

[broku518]

Hi Dave. That gas cap is looking so shiny! One thing I had to do, use some locktite on that inside screw that holds the spring plate. I pulled up at the gas station and...poof!

For the plate mod, I did Jeff's mod as well. Didn't cut the clear cover. I removed it all together for now.

[Papa]

Hi Dave. That gas cap is looking so shiny! One thing I had to do, use some locktite on that inside screw that holds the spring plate. I pulled up at the gas station and...poof!

For the plate mod, I did Jeff's mod as well. Didn't cut the clear cover. I removed it all together for now.

Martin,

Thanks for that tip! I'll take care of it tomorrow.

Dave

[DA2EASy]

Hi Dave-

I’ve read through a number of build threads but yours is worthy of my first forum post! What an amazing job you’re doing.

I’m in the reasearch stage, meaning, convince the wife this is a wonderful use of resources.... Probably a year and a half away from pulling the trigger. I’ve certainly been bit pretty hard by this bug.

I realized last night that you’re just on the other side of the city dfrom me, I’m in NW Arvada. Would you be open to tour of your project? I’d like to see one in person during the build stage to have a better understanding of what I’ll be getting myself into. Looking forward to following your progress!!

Cheers,

Michael

[Papa]

I realized last night that you’re just on the other side of the city dfrom me, I’m in NW Arvada. Would you be open to tour of your project? I’d like to see one in person during the build stage to have a better understanding of what I’ll be getting myself into. Looking forward to following your progress!!

Cheers,

Michael

Michael,

I'm always open to having perspective builders/buyers come by and have done so for several over the last year. A couple of them are now building their own cars! Check your Private Messages for my contact info and feel free to give me a call or text.

Dave

[japollon]

Dave, Did you pad your transmission tunnel cover under the leather? Joel

[Papa]

Dave, Did you pad your transmission tunnel cover under the leather? Joel

Hey Joel,

I had the upholstery shop pad it with a thin (~1/8") dense pad. It softens it a bit without the puffy look and it adds a bit of sound & heat insulation at the same time.

Dave

[Papa]

I spent most of the day doing things around the house, but I did have the opportunity to have two forum members come by to visit; one local, DA2EASy and his son, and one from Indiana, Indy Shu and his wife. We had a great time chatting about these cars and DA2EASy got a two-for-one opportunity to see both a build-in-progress and a beautifully completed car. It was great meeting you all today. Just another example of how tight the FFR community is.

[stevant]

Dave,

Did you use rivets to hold the floor panels top edge to the tranny tunnel? The Build manual says to only use silicone. I purchased flat rivets. If so did it effect the fit of the panel you had covered with leather when putting it in place?

Thanks,

Steve

[Papa]

Dave,

Did you use rivets to hold the floor panels top edge to the tranny tunnel? The Build manual says to only use silicone. I purchased flat rivets. If so did it effect the fit of the panel you had covered with leather when putting it in place?

Thanks,

Steve

I didn't use any rivets, but that was before I did the cover in leather. I'll likely go back and add some now that you made me think about it.

Dave

[DA2EASy]

Thanks Dave! We had a blast.

[Papa]

Thanks Dave! We had a blast.

You're welcome! I was so wrapped up in the discussion that I didn't think to take any pictures. If you have a couple that you'd like to share, I'd be happy to post them here.

Dave

[Jeff Kleiner]

...but I did have the opportunity to have two forum members come by to visit...one from Indiana, Indy Shu and his wife.

Hey! I know that guy! Glad you got a chance to meet

Jeff

[Papa]

Hey! I know that guy! Glad you got a chance to meet

Jeff

I know! He had a lot to say about you … all good.

[Papa]

My lift was supposed to be installed on Tuesday, but the installer's wife went into labor that morning. So, I'm rescheduled for next Monday. After a good week of productive work on the car, I haven't been able to get any garage time in a few days now. I did get some items I ordered to continue where I left off, so hopefully this weekend I'll be able to get some more done.

[Indy Shu]

I spent most of the day doing things around the house, but I did have the opportunity to have two forum members come by to visit; one local, DA2EASy and his son, and one from Indiana, Indy Shu and his wife. We had a great time chatting about these cars and DA2EASy got a two-for-one opportunity to see both a build-in-progress and a beautifully completed car. It was great meeting you all today. Just another example of how tight the FFR community is.

You're welcome! I was so wrapped up in the discussion that I didn't think to take any pictures. If you have a couple that you'd like to share, I'd be happy to post them here.

Dave

Dave,
It was great meeting you and getting to see your awesome build, and getting to meet Michael and his son. I'm back in Indy now but spent 5 days of spectacular cruising in the mountains. We saw Rocky Mountain National Park, Mt. Evans (all 14,130'), and more canyons, gulches, passes, hairpin turns, etc. than I can count. Even stopped by the huge monthly car show in Golden Saturday night. I know your enjoying the build, but you've got some great driving to look forward to! Cruising in a roadster in that scenery is the best. I'll bet Michael's wife would like to thank us for fanning the flame!

John

[Papa]

Dave,
It was great meeting you and getting to see your awesome build, and getting to meet Michael and his son. I'm back in Indy now but spent 5 days of spectacular cruising in the mountains. We saw Rocky Mountain National Park, Mt. Evans (all 14,130'), and more canyons, gulches, passes, hairpin turns, etc. than I can count. Even stopped by the huge monthly car show in Golden Saturday night. I know your enjoying the build, but you've got some great driving to look forward to! Cruising in a roadster in that scenery is the best. I'll bet Michael's wife would like to thank us for fanning the flame!

John

Please look me up if you get back out here with your car. I should be road ready by then and it would be great to go do some of those mountain drives together.

Dave