jimh_1962

I have been thinking of putting the body back on the chassis. The body dolly I have been using is quite low. The chassis has small tires which will make the lifting slightly lower. I think I only have to go about 2.5 feet.

I was thinking of installing a 1 ton chain hoist mounted to the joist in the garage. Then lift the car using tied down straps mounted to the convertible top brackets and front radiator support.

I will have at least 6 people helping out. The extra help can make sure to keep the body stable while rolling out the body dolly and rolling back in the chassis.

Good idea? Otherwise, i have to take it to a shop and use a two post lift.

prestige6

6 people is enough to lift the body and install it on the chassis without a chain hoist..

1snake

That's what I've done in the past.

Jim

jimh_1962

What if it was 6 pee wee hermans?

I guess I was concerned with flexing the body. The doors, windshield, trunk lid and decklid are still on the body.

I guess I could still use the hoist as a precaution...

prestige6

Just make sure you hang the steering column in before you put the body back on...

jimh_1962

Yes, I plan on doing this. I remember I had to do this when I first lifted the body off of the frame. The steering column was dangling when we lifted the body.

Frankie the Fink

You require a 7th person to take pictures, James.
We all wanna see those!

GCD1962

I did an on and off by myself with a 4-post lift. I even amazed myself when I put the body back on. As I lowered it, every bolt went down in the holes with no assistance. I doubt a 6 guys lifting could do that !

firstgear

I removed and reinstalled my body multiple times using my 4 post lift. I would grab the car at the seat belt anchors (primary lift area) and then attach a lift point at the radiator frame. The radiator frame is not a lift point in as much as the body needs to be balanced, you could do that with one or two people no problem.

So using the chain hoist for the center body lift would be fine and having one or two people to "lift" or balance the front would be required.

If you go out to my web site, there are photos of the 4 post lift with the body on it. I was able to get the body off the body dolly and onto the frame in less than 45 minutes by myself and that included maneuvering the body dolly into position and attaching the body lift straps.

jimh_1962

I will make sure to get some photos of all the plumber's bu#ts when everyone is bent over.


yeah, having a four post lift is nice to have. Can I borrow yours?

jimh_1962

I will make sure to get some photos of all the plumber's bu#ts when everyone is bent over.


yeah, having a four post lift is nice to have. Can I borrow yours? I think the chain hoist will help keep control. Thats why I thought it would work if I have help along with it.

Frankie the Fink

Sometimes dumb luck kicks in.

The hardtop I just bought for my '61 that had been stored for MANY years dropped right on the car and the latches and brackets lined up perfectly....I'm still amazed...

JAMES - unless you have an all female crew helping with your body lift PLS spare us those particular pictures....we will all thank you!

Vette Daddy

IMPORTANT

Make sure that you attach the speedometer cable to the transmission BEFORE you lower the body to the frame.

I would not lift the body by the radiator support. Call me at 765-623-6154 and I can tell you a very easy way to lift the body with the hoist.

firstgear

when you are lifting or putting back on by yourself you make do with what you have.....



balance either with people or something to hold it up from tipping

GCD1962

Herbs photos above shows how to lift/sling the body under the lift. I did mine above the lift. I jacked up the body from the frame, slid double 2 x 8s under the body (in the middle area). I then bolted a cross piece on the 2 x 8's which came to rest on some jack posts (4) on the outside of the ramps. As I lowered the lift the boards rested on the jack posts while I lowered the lift to the ground. Rolled out the chassis, then raised the lift back up and raised it off the jack posts. The body rested on the lift, up in the air, until I was ready to re-install the body. Before I lifted the body I put blue painters tape on the ramps at each wheel to mark the position show I knew where to position the chassis when it was time to put the body back on. It was dumb luck that every bolt found the holes on the first try, but it was planned dumb luck. Of course, then there were those things that should have taken 10 minutes to do that took four or more hours !! Nevertheless I did 100% of all the work with not a single helper.

aupaul

No bracing needed? Just close the doors and lift?

MICK3

We used manpower to reconnect the body & chassis.
Pic #1 we placed 4x4's on the chassis to place the body on, this gives you a lot of room between the motor & firewall.
Pic #2 have your friends stop by and place the body on the chassis when that was complete we put the tires back on and pushed the car back into the garage, then during the week my son & I lowered the body into position, no problem at all, it was easy.
I agree 6 can do it plus 1 for pics I would add one more for beer but not until the job is done!

Ferry

Hello Vette Daddy,

I am ready to drop the body on the chassis with my 1961 vette. Do you have any other advice except the speedometer cable before dropping. For example do I have to put the steering column on the body or it can be done afterwards?

I also am unable to find anyone who can explain to me how the rubbers of the radiator support are attached, do you have any pics? I am not talking about them used to mount the radiator itself, for those even my wife can tell me...
Thanks, regards

Ferry