This all started as a convertible conversion on a 78 that has taken on a life of it's own. The top has been cut off, the rear deck and bumper cover have been removed along with the radiator, engine and transmission. The interior has been completely gutted except for the steering wheel. I just ordered chemicals from Eastwood last week to help take care of the rust but now the frame looks so nasty that I am really thinking about taking the next step and just removing the body and starting from scratch.

I know that I will need to remove the front and rear bumper, steering column and unbolt the body mounts. Am I missing anything else that I will need to disconnect to pull the body off?

I tried doing some searches and it looks like some have used the cherry picker and straps to separate it from the frame. Will this work ok? Getting 6 guys to help will be hard and don't know if I have to get an A frame.

I figure I can sandblast and paint the frame, reassemble the front and rear ends, install the motor and trans alot easier and replace all the fuel and brake lines without the body in the way. Luckily the birdcage is in good condition minus one small rust area on the windshield that will need to be repaired. Not going to powder coat the frame but have a powder coat gun coming in this weekend and will be powder coating everything that I pull off.

Here are some pictures of the car in different stages. Going to keep taking photos of the entire process.

http://s225.photobucket.com/albums/d...te%20progress/

 

Im doing a document frame off now... http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...to-begins.html. The first pages goes through lifting the body. People you the pick and straps, I used the buddy method and wouldnt do it again.

 

The straps work great with a hoist or cherry picker. The front end is a little heavy though so if you hang something when you begin to pull it off and move it, it can tilt the front to the ground. The straps can slide on the rocker so a pair of vise grips besides each strap hook at the rocker helps to keep them in place.
Things to add to your list, off the top of my head, to disconnect are radiator, condenser, radiator support, engine harness, accelerator cable, battery cables, parking brake cable and heater hoses. Yours may be different but on the 77 the rad support sandwiches between brackets and the body. Damage can be done trying to lift it in the car. Doable but easier with it out.

 

Thanks for the response and PMs guys. Got the answers to what I needed to see and know.

 

Send me a PM if you're interested in a checklist. It's not extensive or 100% accurate but it will serve to answer your question because yes, there is a few more steps.

I just pulled the body off my 73 and I used ratchet straps. One click at a time proved to be slow, safe, and perfect for progressive checks to see that everything was coming apart as planned.

Here's the "uncut" video. It's very shaky in the middle but once you get past it the end is stable once again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi3O4DGyiBU

IMO, if you want to do the chassis, brake lines, fuel lines, and all bushings the right way...body off is the only way.

 

I didn't have buddies either so I just strapped mine to my lift.


Once she was lifted off the frame I wheeled the frame out from under the body using wheel dollies.


Then I lowered the body down onto the body dolly that I built.

And then ran it up on the lift and put up out of the way while I worked on the frame.


Took me one hour, worked like a champ, would do it again in a heartbeat if need be. Make sure you take of the front brackets, grounding wire, starter wire, etc. engine wires, A/C connections, and anything else that goes from the body to the engine including tranmission cooling lines, etc. I also supported the front nose once the body was on the body dolly and during the lift so it would not crack.

Good luck with your body lift.

David