thanks for the test procedure Greg.
i will have to do that and see just what "may" happen. if i need a bar, at least i have a place already to mount it.
my chassis is like yours. 2x3x1/8 with a cage of 1 3/4x.134 wall. i know this is heavier than necessary, but i decided the weight penalty would be offset by added stiffness.
there are still more bars to add, gaining reinforcement and triangulation.
the body is basically just a skin, attached to the chassis at the cowl/firewall, front and rear of the front door opening[s], the wheel tubs, and at the rear of the body.
even i can lift the front and rear of the body to put it on something higher than jack stands to work on it. if i can do that, the body can't weigh much.