Full strip down restoration advice

[IanC]

Can anyone offer up some advice on the following:

I am looking to do a full strip down restoration on my van (actually in progress!). At the moment the cab and van body are still bolted to the chassis so still lined up and as straight as it was when running. I need to get to the chassis for a rear leg replacement at best and pretty well all the cab panels need attention at some level or other (near side hinge panel, sills, kidney panel and inner wing).

Is it best to tackle the body work first while still bolted to the chassis, then when finished remove the cab and rear body to get to the chassis? Or plough straight in and break the car into 3 major components??

My obvious concern given the required work on the nearside is that if I remove the cab first before any welding takes place the cab is going to go ping and I will never get it straight again.

Thanks in advance,
Ian

[chickenjohn]

I'd do as much welding as you can with the cab still on the chassis, as each part will be like a jig for the other and keep it in shape. Then when all the repair sections are welded in as much as you can, separate the two for final welding.

[IanC]

Thanks John,

makes sense really. Especially as I am stuck for room in the garage and don't have a jig for the cab! I just wondered if there was any advantage in detaching chassis and cab as in the restoration thread it seems to be split 50 / 50 as to how people tackle this amount of work.

Ian

[chickenjohn]

I know that Jonothan over at the other Minor forum would recommend this and he is a professional restorer.

Why not ask the question here as well? http://morrisminorowners.co.uk