dbmac

Awesome, thanks for the links and info. What about alignment? Still takes a huge effort to go back or forward...

Any tips for getting the seat tracks aligned so the seats slide easily? The tracks slide fine on the bench, so I'm thinking they are not quite flat and parallel when in the car. Measured them as close as possible on the seat, but... And has anyone used the extenders like these: https://www.cjponyparts.com/cj-classics-seat-track-extender-pair-1965-1970/p/STE3/? $120 for two bars with four holes, two studs, and a slot?

Perfect, thanks for the details. I was trolling for-sale listings and found a few pics that looked similar (thought not very close up). The door and fender on that side is original. It has been a few years since it came apart but I don't remember there being any major problems in that area. Body shop "aligned" them, the gaps looked good but they did not have glass/trim. So.... it needs a little more persuasion now. Does this order seem reasonable: 1. Glass has the least amount of play so that is "reference". 2. Bottom windshield trim is next, that ~touches the glass and A-pillar. It has very little play and pulling it away from the glass or body is very noticeable. Trim then sets how far up the fender and cowl need to come. 3. Door is not under the windshield trim but needs to align with the fender. That would put the fender about where Barnett said - 1/4" 4. Back/bottom of the door needs to align with the body. Which means twist the door some more. Then work back and forth to get both ends of the door to align. Yeah, ain't no Swiss watch. Thanks.

I'm finishing up final assembly and struggling to get things lined up. The car came back from body and paint fitting well (as I remember), but now after all the other assembly, its not fitting so well. What are the typical gaps around the A-pillar? Where the door, fender, and windshield trim come together.... It seems like when I get the fender just under the trim, it is hard against the door. Door gaps are less than a quarter inch all around so not much room there. Similar for cowl/fender/hood - I have seen some pics where the cowl is tight against the fender, but my cowl is the exact same width as the hood so that doesn't seem right or possible. Plus there is a fender-to-cowl bumper which should be adding some space. Any pics would be great, just trying to figure out if its a pinkie or a thumb of space.

I just got a repro pad from CJPony, made by Dashes Direct (not Ford Tooling). I was expecting some problems but it fit very well. It has a full metal frame underneath. There was a little mismatch at the radio area, but since its metal I could tweak it to line up right on. A little trimming of the padding at the lower ends with a razor and it fits really well. Mounting locations at the windshield, radio, and outer dash all lined up well. The only thing I could gripe about is the heater vents are cutout rectangular, where the original had rounded ends. Otherwise I am very pleased. About $250 on sale.