A place for more technical discussions. Please make sure you post in the correct section on the site, this way it keeps the site tidy AND ensures you get a more relevant answer.
Right, been thinking of reshelling my car, so splitting the body and chassis, removing my bodyshell, and fitting another. In the past I've rebuilt jimnys but never split the shell and chassis... Mine is a 2004 soft top and the newer shell is a 2007, I can't think of any problems I would encounter - other than hard work !
Anyone any thoughts on the problems I may have ? Wiring and refitting dashboard is my biggest worry as I'll want to keep my loom and dash. Other than that steering and the brake pipes/ ABS mounted on the inner wing...
Mmm! The first thing that comes to mind is why? Is there something wrong with the chassis of the donor car or have you only been offered a shell? What's wrong with your shell? Are we talking about your silver soft top as I understood that you had some sentimental attachment to it, which is why you bought it back?
Anyway, you were asking the question! The only other things I can think of are not tricky, such as clutch cable, towing electrics, fuel filler and and supply lines and the gear knob and gaiters.
Nothing tricky at all. It's just the physical lifting the old shell off and dropping the new one on that will be a bit daunting, even with a Fork Lift or ramp. There's just a lot to check for snagging and lining up all at once while keeping the shell level so it goes back down straight on the mounts.
It will be a great opportunity to replace all the steel brake and fuel lines with copper and rust proof both shell and chassis properly though.
Kirkynut
The underdog often starts the fight, and occasionally the upper dog deserves to win - Edgar Watson Howe.
The later chassis has different measurements on the front bumper mounts and the gearbox cross member I believe, neither should be an issue if your just swapping the body.
One issue will be how you register it with dvla or not?
Probably a good way to freshen up a mechanically sound jimny
Gold Jimny the best colour (sold)
Big red Jimny 32" tyres, arbs, cage 5:1 transfer etc. (Sold)
Grey pick up Jimny
Turbo m13a, arbs, floating rear shafts, disc conversion rear, vented front conversion. 245 70 16. Winch, 3" lift, 4:16 trans hd shafts and CVS
I'd have thought it would have to assume the identity of the new shell as you can't change the VIN on that so easily and if you can find the VIN on the chassis you'll do well but you can punch a new VIN into a chassis, just like you do on a Land Rover when you re - chassis it with like for like quite legally.
I think RAM Auto Design have had the body off a Jimny and put it back on. It might be worth speaking to them Gary.
Kirkynut
The underdog often starts the fight, and occasionally the upper dog deserves to win - Edgar Watson Howe.
Jezz wrote: It should keep the identity of the chassis not the body.
Mmm, you may be right but I know which is the easiest to achieve as the VIN plate in the windscreen is not removable so will need a dash swap and I'd need to look at the one under the bonnet.
Kirkynut
The underdog often starts the fight, and occasionally the upper dog deserves to win - Edgar Watson Howe.
Topic Author
