[meanolegoat]

the body shop version of the "village idiot" is in trouble...I need to lift/remove the body to do some floor work. I also need to replace the trunk pan complete. Should i do the trunk work first to keep it structually sound??? Can i leave the windshield in (or bust it w/hammer and get it over with, instead of fighting it for hours and then breaking!!). Does any one offer a complete/sectioned trunk pan that ties into the rear floor/seatback area???? Whats the easy way to lift off the body, and no i dont have a rotisserie..many thanks meanolegoat

[meanolegoat]

the body shop version of the "village idiot" is in trouble...I need to lift/remove the body to do some floor work. I also need to replace the trunk pan complete. Should i do the trunk work first to keep it structually sound??? Can i leave the windshield in (or bust it w/hammer and get it over with, instead of fighting it for hours and then breaking!!). Does any one offer a complete/sectioned trunk pan that ties into the rear floor/seatback area???? Whats the easy way to lift off the body, and no i dont have a rotisserie..many thanks meanolegoat

[jfmcconnell]

if you have an engine hoist you can make a sling(a board above and below the body. the one below lifts, the one above keeps the straps off the car.) if you don't, slide a board under it and get a couple friends to help you lift...

[Brian Baker]

I raised the body of my '73 using cinderblocks, 4x4 wooden beams, and a floor jack!

I started by raising the front, using a large wooden "plank" with the floor jack, spreading the load over a large area of the front floor pans where they meet the firewall and tranny tunnel. The object was to get the body high enough off the frame to slip a 4x4 beam (8 feet in length) between it and the frame rails. Once this was done, I moved to the back and did the same.

Once the beams were between the body and frame, it's just a matter of jacking each end up a little at a time and placing cinderblocks under the beams (I used large and extremely heavy cap blocks, they're alot stronger than standard cinderblocks). Obviously you'll run out of floor jack, so I just propped it up with more cap blocks.

Keep in mind I did this with the interior gutted from the car (save for the dashboard), but the doors were still on the car. Just take you time, be precise about using the jack, and only jack it up a little at time (6-8" on each end at time).

If you have access to an engine hoist, the process is alot quicker, and probably safer than the floorjack.

[jim darlington]

Do as much floor replacement as you can with the body bolted to the frame . At least weld the new panels in before you unbolt and remove the body . I have seen people remove a body and cut the floors out , then weld new one in , and now the body doesn't fit the frame holes or the doors won't shut . The body can move if it's not held together . I always take measurements before I cut anything apart . As your working keep checking your measurements . It's a good insurance policy .

[meanolegoat]

thanks for the thoughts guys...esp. on the actual lifting and the body alignment. we'll see what happens (got a buddy with duke power, drives a boom truck....hmmmm hey think big!!!) many thanks, meanolegoat

[Leadpumper]

i lifted the body with a friend, my dad, and my brother, then propped it up with cinderblocks with a few boards going across under the wheel wells, then i rolled the frame out from underneath it. For more details contact me at [email protected] or Instant Message me.

[Goatman]

Body shouldn't be too heavy with no front end and glass in it. Prolly a two man job if you get the right two men!

[meanolegoat]

this is starting to sound like a job that im gonna have to put my beer down..when i get the nose/etc stripped i'll let yall know how it goes....thanks guys!!!

['ol Pinion head]

DC (Don Chapman) asked this question about 18 months ago. Ck out th following LOBBY topic discussion before it was transfered to the SUSPENSION forum...

http://performanceyears.com/ubb/ulti...;f=11;t=000467

[Frank R]

I lifted the body off my 68 by bolting a chain thru the two front fender bolt holes on the firewall then pulling that up with a come-along that was supported by the rafters of my garage.
For the back I cut a 2x4 the same lenght as the center of the the two body plugs in the trunk then ran a chain around it and lifted with a engine hoist. Then just rolled the frame out.

[meanolegoat]

thanks "Head/Frank", we may give it a go this weekend if i get her stripped out...I've seen DC's site and bugged him a time or two....I'm just now entering the "TUNNEL" and am looking forward to seeing the "LIGHT" at the end!!!!! thanks "mean"

[61man]

I did my 61 ventura pretty much the same way as Frank, It was gutted, and no glass or trunk lid, worked great.