something which i know pretty much all of you have done, but on my car i didn't think i would have to, so never gave it any thought...

I've decided that paneling the insides of the door openings is a good idea. it essentially means my doors don't need hinges, and therefore latches. the idea being that it could safely be used with no doors attached, meaning they are not part of the test. plus it means stuff won't fall out the car and down the sides of the body and into the road.

so, what thickness of aluminium do i want and how do i attach it? what type of sikaflex do i want? or is there another cheaper and better alternative (as there tends to be with most things) is sikaflex acceptable enough for SVA/IVA on its own or do i need to rivet too?

the shape of the panels will be quite complex so will probably need to be made of several parts, hopefully welded together to make a 1 piece panel



[Edited on 22/12/08 by blakep82]

anyone?

I cant help thinking that turning up for SVA with the doors `missing` will leave the inspector looking for any minor point to fail you on , rather than helping where possible to get you through the test - it will look obviously unfinished .

Hmm not very keen on the no doors idea either tbh, I know it’s no different to a buggy but you'll have quite a lot of sharp edges to hide, it will also look terrible which might put you in the SVA guy’s bad books like Claire says. If you have the doors and locks then and you fit them, what's there to fail on? Though you will have to put inner door cards on cos of all those sharp holes. Leave the windows out and keep it simple.

As for panelling the frame, cut some cardboard templates out and cover the frame in them. Then decide which bits can be made from one sheet (cut and folded to suit) and where the joins are going to be. Don't think there is any need to weld them together but check if you are allowed to rivet them to the cage, I think you should be able to but I'd still check.

[Edited on 23/12/08 by Mr Whippy]

If it is "internal" I'd be tempted to use ABS and mould it into shape - car is obviously strong enough with all the tubing.

How complex is shape of final panel and roughly what size?

We regularly run our jeep with no doors but it's never even heard of an SVA test!



( It was built in the 80s before people think we did anything dodgey!!!)

[Edited on 23/12/08 by trextr7monkey]

don't worry folks! i'm not going to try tunrning up without the doors. the doors themselves are just held in with body pins and R clips (which will need some thought too, to cover them up and make them less sharpe)

as far as i can understand with SVA (and more likely IVA ) is that if it is thought the car can be used without doors, eg like a 7 is, enclosed in up to chest sort of height, then doors don't need hinges or latches, but as long as they can be secured in place.

you see, without panelling in the sides, your feet could come out the holes in the side of the chassis in a crash, so it makes sense in any case.

I'll try and get some more pictures later today of all the insides of the doors and things.

here's one with some of the body hanging in place



[Edited on 23/12/08 by blakep82]