PROCEDURE EXPLANATION

Before starting to use the manual please note the model carefully to make sure the illustration sheet is the model to be prepared. E.g. The case of 2 or 4 door model each will be presented on a separate sheet. Measurement Point Bolts, nuts and non-removable plugs are always measured from the centre of the unit. Holes, whether round, oval, square or rectangular are measured from their closest edge to the other point of measurement reference. The symbol next to a hole indicates that the measurement is taken from the centre of that hole. Pinchwelds are measured out edge-to-outer edge of pinchweld area. Any exceptions to the above will be clearly noted on the drawing. Bolts, nuts and nonremovable plugs are always shown on the illustration as a solid object. Holes are shown as outlines only. are different from side-to-side. Therefore, these dimensions are asymmetrical. In this case, both length or diagonal measurements will be shown, reflecting the difference between each side. Underhood View On underhood view drawings, all dimensions are pointto-point, closest distance between the two points of measurement. Bottom View On bottom view drawings, all dimension are point-topoint, closest distance between the two points of measurement. Side View On side view drawings, all dimensions are measured parallel or perpendicular to the datum line. Measurements and not point-to-point. Centreline All unibody drawings include a centreline in the dimensional drawing. The centreline represents the true centre of the vehicle and runs the length of the chassis. To check total width at any measurement point, add the two dimensions from centreline together. Solid dot always indicates a centre measurement; an outline, unless marked otherwise, indicates an edge measurement. Hole Diameters All unibody drawings include measuring point hole diameters. As previously mentioned, most of the bottom view measurements are from the closest edge of a hole. If a width measurement from the centre of a hole to the centreline is required, add one-half of the hole diameter to the dimension. This is a centrelineto-centre of hole measurement. If a centre of hole-tocentre of hole measurement is required for a point-topoint length or diagonal dimension, one-half of both hole diameters must be added to the overall dimension. Symmetrical Measurements Most bottom view length and diagonal measurements are the same from side-to-side. Therefore, these measurements are symmetrical. In some cases, the drawing may show a length measurement on only one side of the vehicle or show only one diagonal measurement. When this is done, the measurement also applies to the other side of the vehicle or to the opposite diagonal measurement. Asymmetrical Measurements Some bottom view length and diagonal measurements Datum Line The datum line is an imaginary line or plane established at a fixed distance below the vehicle. It is used to provide a fixed reference point for all vertical underbody measurements. The datum line is established using holes, bolts or other obvious underbody points. Datum Distance Datum distance is the distance along the datum line between the centre of each of the datum height measurement points. It is important to remember that this is not a point-to-point measurement. Datum distances are valid only when the datum line is established . The measurement between any two points must always be made parallel to the datum line. In cases where the datum distance is different from side-to-side, two sets of datum dimensions are provided, one labelled Driver Side and the other labelled Passenger Side. The driver side dimensions given distances between measurement points on the left side of the vehicle; the passenger side dimensions give distances for the right side. Datum Height Datum height is the distance from a measurement point on the vehicle to the datum line. ILLUSTRATIONS Underhood View This is a view of the engine compartment as seen from above the vehicle. On unibody drawings, it includes a centreline which establishes the true centre of the underhood area. All important bolts, holes, braces and other components are included in the underhood view. Bottom View This is a drawing of the underbody of the vehicle as seen from underneath looking upward. It includes side rails, cross-members, holes, bolts and other important components. The drawing is positioned on the page with the front of the vehicle facing left. Therefore, the DRIVER side is always at the top of the illustration. Side View This is a drawing of the side view of the vehicle underbody. It includes side rails, spring mounts, brackets and any other components necessary to illustrate measurement points. This view is positioned to align exactly with the bottom view illustration.

UNDERHOOD VIEW

BOTTOM VIEW

MEASUREMENT TOOLS Boyces Unibody and Chassis Dimensions can be used with any type of measuring system, from a steel tape to the most sophisticated laser beam set-up. Steel Tape Although it is the least accurate vehicle measuring tool, many measurements can be made with a steel tape. In most cases, vehicle drive train, exhaust or suspension components and other obstructions must be removed to obtain a direct steel tape measurement. Datum Gauges Datum gauges can be used to establish an imaginary line or plane at a fixed distance below the vehicle. See Datum Line. The gauges hang from reference points on the vehicle underbody. Datum gauges assist in detecting kick-up, kick-down and twist. Tram Gauge Most of the dimensions can be measured using a tram gauge with the pointers set at equal length. Measurements can be read directly from the tram gauge bar scale or by measuring the distance from pointer tip-to-pointer tip with a steel tape.

VEHICLE CENTRE LINE

DATUM LINE, DATUM HEIGHT, DATUM DISTANCE & SIDE VIEW

POINT-TO-POINT MEASUREMENT

2009 Boyce's Automotive Data

UNIBODY AND FRAME DIMENSIONS DATABASE

PROCEDURE EXPLANATION
BODY DIMENSIONS AND MEASUREMENT METHODS PROJECTED DIMENSIONS, ACTUAL DIMENSIONS, AND MEASUREMENT METHODS
Projected dimension

Diagram showing orientation of drawings in relation to vehicle

Height Probe

TYPE B
(1) Type A (projected dimensions) Indicates the dimension when a measurement location is projected onto a plane. The difference in height of the measurement points should be taken into consideration when measuring.
Actuall y-meas ured dim ension

TYPE B
(2) Type B (actual measurement dimensions) indicates the actual distance between the measurement points. Measure using a tracking gauge or a measuring tape, etc.

NOTE (1) Make the lengths of the tracking gauge probes the same (A =A). (2) Do not bend or twist the measuring tape. (3) Insert the tracking gauge probes securely into the measurement holes. DIAGRAM ORIENTATION This book has been prepared for the Collision Repair Industry. The car dimensions are presented so that there is no confusion as to where each measurement point lies. The diagram shows how the projection of the drawing has been chosen. When the car is raised and you stand facing the front, the drivers side is on the left (for R.H.D. vehicles), as it is shown in the book. The bottom view shows the body frame as if you are standing in the front of the vehicle viewing upwards.

2009 Boyce's Automotive Data

UNIBODY AND FRAME DIMENSIONS DATABASE