13-11-2017, 05:13 PM
For the body sides of my Ulster I used 3mm birch ply with a thin leathercloth glued on with spray adhesive. Other than being trapped by the cockpit edging (made from split heater hose) it is not fixed in any way and is very securely fitted. The curved plywood adds considerable stiffness to the rather flimsy cockpit sides.
I also added a reinforcing metal strip to the lower flange of the dashboard. If you are not using a windscreen do not omit the angle support brackets, they appear to brace the whole scuttle. Additional strengthening in this area cannot be a bad thing.
When fixing the body to the chassis, add a pair of steel strip supports under each seat at the sides of the transmission tunnel. These are bolted to the rear cross-member and add useful support where it is needed.
Fix a sturdy plywood or aluminium bulkhead across the rear of the cockpit, this will strengthen the whole rear body and can be used for the seat backrest.
I also added a reinforcing metal strip to the lower flange of the dashboard. If you are not using a windscreen do not omit the angle support brackets, they appear to brace the whole scuttle. Additional strengthening in this area cannot be a bad thing.
When fixing the body to the chassis, add a pair of steel strip supports under each seat at the sides of the transmission tunnel. These are bolted to the rear cross-member and add useful support where it is needed.
Fix a sturdy plywood or aluminium bulkhead across the rear of the cockpit, this will strengthen the whole rear body and can be used for the seat backrest.