missing anything??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Flower Mound TX
missing anything??
I am fast coming to the realization I dont have the room to do a full body off restore.
The only thing left for me to pull out of the frame is the fuel tank before I get the wiring harnesses , lights, hoses.
Other than not being able to get to the top of the frame members, and unable to replace the gas lines. Is there anything else I am missing that I wont be able to do if I leave the body on for the restore?
The only thing left for me to pull out of the frame is the fuel tank before I get the wiring harnesses , lights, hoses.
Other than not being able to get to the top of the frame members, and unable to replace the gas lines. Is there anything else I am missing that I wont be able to do if I leave the body on for the restore?
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 9
From: Science Bitch! Mississauga, Ontario
Canadian Events Coordinator
Why can't you do a body off? I know of a few who pulled the body with a one car garage. I hope they can chime in and give you some advice.
I say go all the way or you'll wish you did as long for as you own the car.
Les
I say go all the way or you'll wish you did as long for as you own the car.
Les
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If you don't NEED to do a body-off refurb, don't do one. The only reasons to go for the "full Monty" are because the frame needs significant repairs; the body mounts are 'toast'; or because you are totally **** and want it to be perfect for NCRS judging. (I'm not saying the latter item is "bad"...but it IS totally ****.)
Other than that, you can refurb nearly everything else without lifting the body. The fuel/vent lines can even be changed 'as is', if you are willing to do some re-bending of new lines during installation or by cutting the new lines in strategic locations and using compression fittings to reattach them.
For most of us, removing the body is a PITA that is totally unnecessary.
Other than that, you can refurb nearly everything else without lifting the body. The fuel/vent lines can even be changed 'as is', if you are willing to do some re-bending of new lines during installation or by cutting the new lines in strategic locations and using compression fittings to reattach them.
For most of us, removing the body is a PITA that is totally unnecessary.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,315
Likes: 4,418
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi ef,
If you really want to do a body off restoration you can certainly do it in a 1 car garage with out a lift.
It takes some planning (like hanging the body while you restore the frame and running gear) but you can do it.
BUT be sure you really want to. It's not for the faint of heart.
Regards,
Alan
Here's a couple of pictures of my 71 chassis with the body raised on a wooden frame next to it in a 14 foot wide garage with a less an 8 foot ceiling height.
A good time was had by all!
If you really want to do a body off restoration you can certainly do it in a 1 car garage with out a lift.
It takes some planning (like hanging the body while you restore the frame and running gear) but you can do it.
BUT be sure you really want to. It's not for the faint of heart.
Regards,
Alan
Here's a couple of pictures of my 71 chassis with the body raised on a wooden frame next to it in a 14 foot wide garage with a less an 8 foot ceiling height.
A good time was had by all!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Flower Mound TX
The frame is in great shape, I just feel like I will be short cutting it if I dont do the frame off.
I guess I do have room, I have a 3 car garage but I cant touch 1 bay of it since that is where the 96 is. I just dont know where the engine will go with all the other parts (this is a long term issue tho since I am not putting the original back in).
Maybe I just freaked myself out when I saw all the suspension and steering related stuff, right next to the motor and interior in the garage.
This will be a driver (for my wife), the project is for me. I am worried I will feel like I half A**ed it.
I certainly do know I dont want to use straps to do it, I am afraid of torking the body and screw up the doors which shut really really well even after almost 40 years. If I cant find friends to help that will also decide it.
I guess I do have room, I have a 3 car garage but I cant touch 1 bay of it since that is where the 96 is. I just dont know where the engine will go with all the other parts (this is a long term issue tho since I am not putting the original back in).
Maybe I just freaked myself out when I saw all the suspension and steering related stuff, right next to the motor and interior in the garage.
This will be a driver (for my wife), the project is for me. I am worried I will feel like I half A**ed it.
I certainly do know I dont want to use straps to do it, I am afraid of torking the body and screw up the doors which shut really really well even after almost 40 years. If I cant find friends to help that will also decide it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,703
Likes: 3,154
From: Shamong, NJ
Whether to pull the body or not, is really up to you. You need to determine if you have the skills, tools and space to do it, not to mention the stamina. You also need to determine if it's necessary. If you intended this car to be a show car, than it probably would be necessary, but with your stated goal of a "driver", it may not be. If you have a good solid frame, and are comfortable working under the car with a lift (or on your back), leave the body on. I've seen plenty of beautiful "body on" restorations.
The only reason I could give for pulling the body, or at least partially lifting it, would be to replace the fuel line. If your going to the trouble of restoring the car, and want it to be a reliable and safe driver, I'd replace that 30 year old fuel line.
The only reason I could give for pulling the body, or at least partially lifting it, would be to replace the fuel line. If your going to the trouble of restoring the car, and want it to be a reliable and safe driver, I'd replace that 30 year old fuel line.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
There was a forum member that had some of the same issues a year or so ago. He actually raised the car up and the placed a few 4x4 beams with jack stands under the body and then lowered the frame. Giving him enough room to replace the fuel lines (do the front to rear brake line at the same time) and clean and paint the top of the frame. I do not know how practical this is but I do remember how pleased he was with himself for coming up with the idea and the results he achieved.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
When I removed my body, I had it on 35 gallon drums supported by 2X6 planks across the underside. The body had wood in the frame rail pockets and in the area of #2 and #3 mounts. It was high enough so the frame with engine could be rolled out on steel 15 inch wheels. The body was raised after removing the interior and most anything that had weight. It was raised using jacks against the outer edge of the floor, where it is strongest. Concrete blocks and wood were used to raise the jacks as it got higher. The 35 gallon steel support drums were kept far enough to the outside, so the frame could be rolled back under the car for storage. This required working on the frame outside the garage. The house became a storage place for fresh rebuilt parts. It is more difficult, but makes for an easier restoration of the frame and suspension. While the body is up, you have perfect access to clean the underside, firewall and splash aprons and paint, or add insulation and replace body mounts. I also did all this on another car with the body on, it is more difficult and you can't do quite the same quality work, but can be done. You be the judge if a body off is not warranted, or best for you. Good luck and be safe!!!
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Last edited by Red 69; Apr 19, 2011 at 11:32 AM.
Terrorizing Orange Cones
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 17
From: Northern CO
I've had this debate with myself too; I ended up with a headache.
Actually, finances and time dictated my effort to leave the body on. As much as I would have appreciated the convenience of having the frame free to clean, correct and recoat with whatever choice of paint and hardware, I knew there were thousands of dollars and a few man-hours more to invest towards the body after lifting it off. I mean, if the body needs work too then the project grows exponentially.
I chose to use my limited funds and resources to leave the body in place and work around it. I focused on establishing a solid mechanical foundation that will afford flexibility for other subsystems of the car in the future.
It's no show car but it travels so well now from state to state, I'll save the cabbage for body and paint work and plan for later.
Actually, finances and time dictated my effort to leave the body on. As much as I would have appreciated the convenience of having the frame free to clean, correct and recoat with whatever choice of paint and hardware, I knew there were thousands of dollars and a few man-hours more to invest towards the body after lifting it off. I mean, if the body needs work too then the project grows exponentially.
I chose to use my limited funds and resources to leave the body in place and work around it. I focused on establishing a solid mechanical foundation that will afford flexibility for other subsystems of the car in the future.
It's no show car but it travels so well now from state to state, I'll save the cabbage for body and paint work and plan for later.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Flower Mound TX
i keep tossing it up. I just removed the gas tank. so the only thing left is brake lines and a couple of random lines to get off the frame.
I want to strip it completely before i pull or not, so I will get to that point, do a really good once over and then decide.
on or off, there is going to be lots of work to do. This decision has been the hardest, the others not so much since it is either functional or what do I want the car to have on or in it.
I want to strip it completely before i pull or not, so I will get to that point, do a really good once over and then decide.
on or off, there is going to be lots of work to do. This decision has been the hardest, the others not so much since it is either functional or what do I want the car to have on or in it.