MJS Mk4 Build Thread

[MSumners]

I used 1/8” volara sculpting foam for the trans tunnel under the leather. I believe I first saw it in Paul’s thread when he was using it on the dash. In my opinion gives the perfect cushion and appearance. I used it on my initial dash panels as well but I’m thinking of trialing one of them in 1/16”.

https://www.yourautotrim.com/1thscfo.html

On your trans tunnel, did you put anything between the leather and the metal or adheres directly to it?

[Blitzboy54]

Thanks! Your upholstery looks great.

[MSumners]

Still slowly plugging away. I decided awhile back I wanted something to fill the oil cooler space. After realizing I don’t need an actual oil cooler I decided to fab a setup with fog lights similar to many others. I believe a vendor used to sell one but doesn’t anymore.

For those that have used a similar setup, maybe even from the prior vendor, how was it secured?

My current plan is to HSRF four 10-32 thread adhesive studs in place as shown for a mounting platform.
Anyone think this will cause any issues down the road?

[edwardb]

Properly roughed up and bonded with HSRF that should hold OK. FWIW, the Tangent Technology parts from the past had the base bracket directly on the fiberglass and just bolted through. The lights and grille were elevated so they lined up with the opening.

[MSumners]

Thanks again for the info. I ended up direct bolting through the lower lip with some 1/4-20’s and rubber washers. The benefit here was some more adjustability in height with front and rear mounting sides. I think I’ve landed on a final version. No interference on any side and mounted solid. Time to get the body back on and final punch list before sending for paint in about 4-ish weeks.

[MSumners]

Filling gas tanks from cans with safety spouts could be an Olympic sport

[egchewy79]

Anything larger than a 6gal tank is definitely like a strong man competition trying to hold that weight up

[MSumners]

I’m working on Re-fitting the body today and have it forward so the jams are about 3/16 in front of the catch plate on each side. I’m working on centering the front end from the body wheel well lip to the shock mount and seem to be within 1/16. The rear is still a bit off. Is it common to have to adjust the rear end laterally at all? I have the threaded inserts in place that Jeff K has described and many do and with the all thread in place.

[egchewy79]

from my understanding, there's very little lateral movement in the rear. The QJ holes and the roll bar holes pretty much set the location. There's more movement in the front.

[MSumners]

Thanks for the confirmation. I also haven’t had an official alignment yet so that is likely playing a role.

[egchewy79]

Yes, rear alignment will make a difference

[MSumners]

And this is what a 1/4 20 tap looks like when it snaps in the lower part of the rollbar. Ouch. I spent about 15 minutes looking at how I can get this thing out before I realized I really don’t even need to. It doesn’t go through the back wall and now I just have the sleeve really well attached.

[MSumners]

Re-assembly in full swing, busy day. Body back on, trunk and doors on, pipe cutouts trimmed, pipe hangers installed,

[460.465USMC]

Looking good!

[Jim1855]

Mike, Looks good. You are making great progress. Jim

[MSumners]

Thanks gents.
To those that used the bushing for hood latch support. Did you have to grind down the corners on the extension a bit to get through the bushing? Thought I bought a referenced size but the bushing is a bit small for the ID. Likely a fraction of a mm.

[MSumners]

Trying to line up the radiator opening, middle of the windshield and midline between the rollbars. I feel like this may be a situation where you get to just choose two.

[Jeff Kleiner]

These bodies are anything but symmetrical...the hood isn't centered...neither is the windshield...the plate lamp isn't centered and is offset from the handle...the headlights are crosseyed...the oil cooler scoop and radiator opening don't align and neither are perpendicular with sides of the body... This is not a place to be using a high tech tool like a laser. You just have to make it look right even though it isn't! So put away the laser and get a string. Measure between the headlights and mark the center. Install the license plate lamp and mark it's center. Now pull the string between the two and there ya' go! (Obviously the windshield can't be installed when you do this )You have to "fudge it" at the oil cooler scoop and jump the center between the plate lamp and handle (if you just "connect the dots" between the two the stripes will lean like this // when viewed from behind). You may need to adjust a little to hit center between two roll bars. Don't try to position the scoop on the hood until you have the centerline established because the center of the hood is not the center of the car.

Easy peasey

Jeff

[MSumners]

Jeff, Perfect thanks for the recommendation. I’ll use your method for center. Right now I’m just looking for the midline to measure out from for the hood latches. I’ll wait for the scoop then until the hood position is secure and Re-identify car center.
I’ve read that the hood latches may be mounted with the long axis to the rib for better contact. If that is done will they still be able to orient to the rear and lock?
Thanks again all!

[egchewy79]

I mounted mine oriented side to side, so along the axis of the under hood rib. the square nature of the post allows you to mount the latch in 4-90* orientations.

[MSumners]

Saturday I made final decision on destination for body and paint work. I have a couple interior things to finalize but nothing to hold up bodywork and decided to pull the trigger. Booked transport Saturday afternoon with Reliable Transport. Car was picked up tonight and next stop Yuba City California on Friday for a short residency with Ken Pike.

[460.465USMC]

Congrats, Mike! That's got to be a good feeling. What did you decide for color choices? (Sorry if you've already stated and I missed it.)

[MSumners]

Yeah almost can’t believe it’s nearing the “end”, but I know the saying. I’m excited to see it in color but in no big rush to get it back, plenty of things to keep busy with in the meantime. Exact color codes to be determined but I know in my head exactly what I want it to look like. Something near midnight blue with vintage white stripes. I tried a few times throughout the build to convince myself I would do something different but ultimately always came back to this combo. All my favorite cars have been blue.

Congrats, Mike! That's got to be a good feeling. What did you decide for color choices? (Sorry if you've already stated and I missed it.)

[MSumners]

Car is at paint and I’m not one for idle time. Picked up a tinker project in the meantime.

[MSumners]

Body underway.

[MSumners]

Interim project success. Rolling the country roads.

[MSumners]

Anyone know the standard sizes of the circle front hood badge and the rectangular side badges off hand?

[egchewy79]

the ones offered by ********** are
side badges: 4-3/16" by 1-5/16"
hood badge: 2"

[460.465USMC]

Hi Mike. Just checking in to see how the bodywork and paint are coming along?

[MSumners]

A bit behind schedule but sounds like all is coming along well. Last I heard car was in primer and supposed to be finished approximately 3 weeks from now. Thanks for checking in. Once I get an update I’ll post. Can’t wait to see the colors!

[MSumners]

And we have color! Should be right on schedule for final assembly, registration and as many summer miles as possible. About two weeks to completion and then the long trek back to Michigan. At least the shipping quote is less than it was when I checked a couple months ago. Next major posts should be completion as after it’s back it will primarily be Re-attaching everything and working on setup.

[egchewy79]

Looks great. What color blue is that?

[Straversi]

Looking good!
-Steve

[MSumners]

The blue is Lexus indigo ink. Stripe is actually lambo titanium and almost looks white in that picture.

Looks great. What color blue is that?

[egchewy79]

The blue is Lexus indigo ink. Stripe is actually lambo titanium and almost looks white in that picture.

Great combo. Going with a similar blue

[460.465USMC]

Right on, Mike! Looks really nice. Congrats!

[NYMike]

Love the color combination. Congrats!

[Chainsaw]

And we have color! Should be right on schedule for final assembly, registration and as many summer miles as possible. About two weeks to completion and then the long trek back to Michigan. At least the shipping quote is less than it was when I checked a couple months ago. Next major posts should be completion as after it’s back it will primarily be Re-attaching everything and working on setup.

Love that combo. I think that's the blue I've been looking for to use as the 289 nose stripe with the lambo titanium as the primary although the Missus thinks I should use the blue as the primary.

[Blitzboy54]

Can't wait to see it in the sun! I love that color combo, I thought it was white at first too. Now I'm intrigued with the titanium.

Ken's work is exceptional.

[MSumners]

Updated assembly pics. Getting closer to the Reliable truck pickup. My head may explode when I see this in person.