IMPORTANT — PLEASE READ BEFORE INSTALLATION OR OPERATION
All chassis manufactured, assembled, shipped, or released for customer pickup by Scott’s Hotrods ’n Customs are considered incomplete vehicle components and are NOT delivered as road-ready vehicles.
A chassis may be delivered with suspension, steering, brakes, fuel system components, brake lines, fuel lines, drivetrain components, wheels, tires, or other parts installed. Regardless of how complete the chassis appears, installation of these components by Scott’s Hotrods ’n Customs does not mean they have received final installation, final adjustment, final torque, or final safety verification for road use.
Components may be installed or assembled for fitment, mock-up, fabrication, transportation, or convenience. The presence of a bolt, nut, fitting, jam nut, clamp, line, hose, or other fastener does not mean that component should be assumed to have received its final torque or adjustment.
During transportation, body installation, drivetrain installation, plumbing, wiring, final assembly, and initial operation, components can move, settle, loosen, or require additional adjustment. The person or shop completing the vehicle is responsible for performing a complete inspection of the chassis and every installed component before the vehicle is driven.
At a minimum, the final vehicle builder must:
- Inspect every fastener on the chassis and verify proper torque using the applicable manufacturer’s specifications. Never assume a fastener is at final torque simply because it was installed when the chassis was delivered.
- Inspect all jam nuts, rod ends, link bars, adjusters, control arms, suspension mounting hardware, steering components, and related hardware for proper adjustment, engagement, orientation, clearance, and torque.
- Inspect and verify all brake-line fittings, hoses, connections, and components for proper installation, tightness, routing, clearance, and leaks. The complete brake system must be properly filled, bled, tested, and verified before operation.
- Inspect and verify all fuel-line fittings, hoses, connections, and components for proper installation, tightness, routing, clearance, and leaks before fuel is introduced and before the vehicle is started.
- Inspect all steering components and connections, including steering shafts, U-joints, rack connections, tie rods, fasteners, and clearances.
- Inspect all suspension components, including control arms, link bars, rod ends, bushings, coilovers/air springs, sway bars, brackets, and related hardware.
- Verify wheel and tire clearance throughout the complete range of suspension and steering travel.
- Verify driveshaft, exhaust, brake line, fuel line, wiring, body, wheel/tire, and drivetrain clearances after final vehicle assembly.
- Inspect all mating and mounting surfaces. Paint, powdercoat, CERAKOTE®, plating, or other finishes may affect fastener seating or component fitment. The final builder is responsible for ensuring components are properly seated and secured as required for the application.
- Verify proper installation and torque of wheel lug nuts or lug bolts before moving or operating the vehicle.
- Perform a complete professional wheel alignment after the vehicle is assembled at its final ride height and operating weight.
- Measure and verify wheelbase, axle position, track width, ride height, and wheel location within the finished body. Minor adjustments may be required during final assembly to achieve proper fitment and appearance.
- Inspect the chassis and all components for shipping, handling, or transportation damage immediately upon receipt and again before final assembly or operation.
ALIGNMENT, WHEELBASE & CHASSIS SETUP
Any alignment, wheelbase setting, ride-height adjustment, suspension setting, or component positioning performed by Scott’s Hotrods ’n Customs before delivery should be considered an INITIAL SETUP ONLY.
Final alignment and adjustment cannot be completed accurately until the vehicle is fully assembled with the body, engine, transmission, fluids, interior, fuel, battery, glass, accessories, and other components installed and the vehicle is at its final operating weight and ride height.
Do not assume that wheelbase, alignment, ride height, axle position, steering geometry, or wheel position is final simply because the chassis arrives assembled.
Wheelbase and axle position must be verified against the actual vehicle body during final assembly. Adjustments may be necessary to properly center the wheels within the wheel openings and achieve the desired final fitment.
SHIPPING & TRANSPORTATION
A chassis may travel hundreds or thousands of miles by truck, trailer, freight carrier, or other means before reaching the customer or final builder. Vibration, loading, unloading, tie-down procedures, handling, and transportation can affect components and adjustments.
Scott’s Hotrods ’n Customs cannot guarantee that a fastener, fitting, adjustment, or component will remain in the same condition after transportation as it was when the chassis left our facility.
For this reason, every fastener, fitting, connection, adjustment, and safety-critical component must be inspected before installation and again before the vehicle is operated.
INITIAL SHAKEDOWN & RE-TORQUE
A newly completed vehicle requires a proper inspection and shakedown procedure.
After the vehicle’s initial operation, the builder/owner should again inspect the complete chassis for loose fasteners, fittings, leaks, interference, abnormal wear, or component movement.
Critical chassis, suspension, steering, brake, wheel, and drivetrain fasteners should be rechecked and re-torqued after the first 50–100 miles of operation, or sooner if required by the component manufacturer’s instructions.
Wheel lug nuts/bolts should be rechecked according to the wheel manufacturer’s recommendations.
Brake and fuel systems should also be inspected for leaks after the vehicle has been operated and brought through normal heat cycles.
Periodic inspection and maintenance must continue throughout the life of the vehicle.
FINAL RESPONSIBILITY
The final vehicle builder, installer, and/or owner is responsible for ensuring that the completed vehicle is properly assembled, inspected, adjusted, and safe for operation.
NEVER OPERATE A VEHICLE SIMPLY BECAUSE THE CHASSIS APPEARS COMPLETE.
Before the vehicle is driven, every mechanical system must be inspected and verified for proper installation and operation by a qualified person. This includes, but is not limited to, the braking, steering, suspension, fuel, drivetrain, electrical, wheel/tire, and fastening systems.
Receipt or pickup of a chassis from Scott’s Hotrods ’n Customs does NOT constitute confirmation that the chassis or completed vehicle is road-ready.
Scott’s Hotrods ’n Customs strongly recommends that the completed vehicle undergo a comprehensive final safety inspection by a qualified professional before its first road test.