So i've been doing a bit of work on my chassis.
I've cut out some nasty seats that were welded in, I've cut off a sketchy seatbelt mount that was stuck on with popcorn welding, I've removed and am in the process of cleaning up the front beam/tie rods etc, I'm about to paint the chassis with some mastic and then i'll run some kunifer down the middle for the fuel pipe. I'm looking for some seats i like which hopefully can go on the runners i saved... and then i need to find some stock wheels so i can build up the brakes again...

question is... what's next?
Do i need to start thinking about ordering the body or is there still loads i can do without it?
Is this a bit of a long piece of string question? 

I'll get some decent pics of progress sorted and start a build thread soon. I promise. 

Think you'll need to consider the body as to what look you want to go for seats wise, oh, dont forget the rool bar style as that may influence your choices.
Have you thought about a body lift at all?
Will it be street stylee or off road, lowered or sitting high?

Loads of options that you could be working on....

H

I kind of know roughly what i'm after...
I'm going to be building a classic looking manx (from the guy on here) with sidepods and a couple of minor styling differences. As simple and 'standard' as possible on most things is the aim. The front beam has sway-aways so a slight rake might be on the cards - I don't think I'm interested in a body lift.
A roll bar isn't going to be a priority initially although I'd quite like a functional hoop with a couple of rear supports for safety when i can afford it... or do i need to do this first to figure out where it's going to mount?
I'd like to be able to have a removable f/glass hardtop eventually. I defo want headrests on the seats but still want them to look classic. It will roll on stock wheels - standard front, slightly wider rear. I'm nowhere near a beach and I'm not really into off-road tbh so it will basically be kind of classic street i guess?

One thing to consider is the possible lead time for the shell, particularly if you want a strange colour. Do you have room to store it properly supported if you get it too early?
The advice on here is to get it bolted down asap after delivery as the glassfibre gradually stiffens and should be much easier to persuade into place if it is fresh.

So no real help there, just some things to consider
I wouldnt settle on wheels until you see the tub on

I DO want a strange colour and no i don't have anywhere to store it so i need to get as much done and prepared as possible so when it comes i can just slide it on and get going on the rest.
Thanks for you guys help by the way - much appreciated

I`d say order the shell and whilst waiting for it, get as much of the rolling chassis done as you can whilst you still have great access.

Yeah, that's kind of what i'm asking in my completely inept way... what else can I/should i do before the body goes on?
I'm assuming i can't really do any of the steering column stuff before i've got something to secure it to? Same with fuel tank?

In your experience guys, what would you have done before you put the body on? 

the furthest you can go is a floor pan that steers, brakes and drives with temp wiring and fuel supply.
you could start fabricating some body supports but cannot finish the top parts until you have a shell.

All I'd say is a pan is like the foundations of a house.

Make sure all the rot is gone, all the previous crappy repairs are put right, the pedals and all bushes are A1 condition and forget about mastic, get the best quality finish your budget can push to before spending big on a shell which will after all be bolted to a 40 (ish) year old floor that is covered in gunk.

If you build it right once you only have to build it once.

I think he means epoxy mastic. It's a very hard wearing coating for chassis and components.

POR, Epoxy or Hammerite is no substitute for a professional job of etch primer, 2K primer then 2K chassis paint for your pride and joy in my eyes.
I know it's not cheap but both mine and Raspberry still look like new underneath.

Yes, epoxy mastic. It seems pretty cool so far 

I agree with what you're saying Flags... but unfortunately this IS the 'best quality finish' my budget can push to...
I have a VERY small budget... and also a short deadline.
If i can get it safe, legal and on the road before august, that will be great. Anything else... i can re-do later as and when i have funds available.
The pans are dented and welded anyway. I wouldn't be happy spending money on a paintjob on pans that would have to be replaced a couple of years down the line anyway. If i can get the top half looking great with the budget i have, next year i can start again on the chassis and get it straight. It's not ideal, but if i don't do it this way, it'll never happen.