Thread: Order of hot rod build

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I do my builds this way
1.Clean the parts & car with media blasting, epoxy prime after cleaning out all the media in all the nooks and crannies
2. Mock up the frame and suspension (rolling chassis)
3. Mock up Engine and drivetrain
4. Repair patch panels
5. I even Mock up the interior
6. Mock up the entire build
7. Tear it all apart and now do the bodywork and paint then reinstall everything that now fits properly

I can't do enough mock up, after the entire car is built in mock up everything is then prepped for finish paint and reassembled, reassembly is actually fun knowing everything fits and no changes are needed. I can't say there is only one way to skin a cat but bodywork at the end for me reassures a nice fresh paint job with no needed holes etc. I guess whatever works for you, I am no self proclaimed expert but it works for me! Above all if your not having fun you have more chance of not finishing the build, Patch panels on a media blasted body is a breeze, cleaning off all that old crud to weld in a panel is a pain, and there has been more than one person who media blasted and found out under that pristine old patina there was old bondo/fiberglass or lead that had to be addressed they didn't know about. Starting with it blasted lets me see what I really have to work with.

Also, in my planning stages I have an idea of what the ride height should be, your frame is set to that and then your suspension put under to accommodate that stance. I can tell you exactly what the height of my frame is, front and back before I start my build. It involves heading to a lot of car shows or looking at builds that you like and measuring them and writing down dimensions (asking before doing) This pre-planning is done before ever working on the car usually, and knowing what parts, tire sizes etc will be used
Those professional built cars that set right, they just didn't get lucky on that its in the planning.