Engine hoist - body removal
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 605
Likes: 28
From: Havelock North Carolina
Engine hoist - body removal
Has anyone used a 2,000lb engine hoist to lift the body off their car? I've seen post with pics of people using cranes, forklifts, two and four post lifts and various other methods but none using an engine hoist. I was wondering if I would be able to get it high enough to get the frame out of the way. I'm open to any and all suggestions but one thing I can't do is use the support beams in my garage because they are definately to low + they won't support the weight. Another thing I'd like to avoid is getting into the logistics of moving the car to a place where a lift is available. There are a few reasons why moving the car to another location is just to hard to do.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 41
From: Raleigh NC
St. Jude Donor '13-'14
Has anyone used a 2,000lb engine hoist to lift the body off their car? I've seen post with pics of people using cranes, forklifts, two and four post lifts and various other methods but none using an engine hoist. I was wondering if I would be able to get it high enough to get the frame out of the way. I'm open to any and all suggestions but one thing I can't do is use the support beams in my garage because they are definately to low + they won't support the weight. Another thing I'd like to avoid is getting into the logistics of moving the car to a place where a lift is available. There are a few reasons why moving the car to another location is just to hard to do.
I had the boom arm fully extended. Besides the hood, I had removed nothing else from the body (interior fully intact, doors on, t-tops on). I did remove the gas tank and tank cover.
Goodluck!
Last edited by LeMans Pete; Jan 23, 2014 at 01:26 PM. Reason: Forgot about the gas tank
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 5
From: Sacramento California
I did mine with a engine cherry picker, I also used the wheel dollies to move the frame out the side while the body was in the air.
I did have to tie some knots in the straps to get it high enough to clear the frame.
I did the reverse when I put the body back on.
I did have to tie some knots in the straps to get it high enough to clear the frame.
I did the reverse when I put the body back on.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 268
From: iowa city iowa
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C3 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
I borrowed a harbor freight cherry picker and two of these straps from a friend that runs a warehouse. He borrowed them from a trucker that used them to tie loads to the rails of the trailer.
I only used two so one went front corner to front corner and the other back to back. It worked well. As mentioned above it is easier to slide the frame off to the side on wheel dollies. I also felt safer moving the frame than moving the body when it was dangling from the picker. Yea, I borrowed the wheel dollies also because I am cheap.
I only used two so one went front corner to front corner and the other back to back. It worked well. As mentioned above it is easier to slide the frame off to the side on wheel dollies. I also felt safer moving the frame than moving the body when it was dangling from the picker. Yea, I borrowed the wheel dollies also because I am cheap.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 67
Likes: 16
From: Lancaster, Pa
I think the body with most of the interior and seats removed only weighs about 700 lbs. I pulled the body off my 68 convertible using a one ton chain hoist from Harbor Freight, (around $40) and the lifting straps from Corvette America. I had to shorten the straps with knots around blocks of wood due to my ceiling only being 10 feet and I also used 2x4's as spreaders between the straps to take stress off the body and help shorten the effective length of the straps. As for the load on your ceiling, consider using a bar to span several ceiling joists to spread the load across them. I used a barbell from a neighbor's discarded weight set and spanned 4 joists. It was a great place to hang the hoist. Worked like a charm!! Garage still standing.
1969/1971/2021 Coupes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 80
From: Port Huron MI
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Wasn't the safest thing I've ever done but it is what I had. A lot of folks do it but I felt very nervous the whole time. BTW, I had two others holding the body steady while lifting and moving. They just got out of the way for the picture.
Terry
Terry
Last edited by HOOAH; Jan 23, 2014 at 06:20 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 61
From: Medina Ohio
I used a cherry picker and did it by my lonesome. Mistake I made was by being too precautions and keeping the boom too far in. When up high enough the door rubbed on the picker.
Stick the boom out and have at it.
Stick the boom out and have at it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 987
Likes: 7
From: Surrey British Columbia
I used a hoist too. But before lifting I realized that with the tires still on, I wouldn't have enough clearance to either pull the body away or roll the chassis back to clear. So I took the wheels off and blocked and strapped the rotors to individual wheel dollies. Good thing because I only had about two inches to spare. I'll begin reattaching the body this fall. The body has been separated from the Bird Cage to facilitate repairs to the latter. When I put it back on, I'll glue the rear clip on first, then the front.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
I also used a harbor freight shop hoist to lift the body off. I did it by myself. I then rolled the chassis out from under the body, to the rear. With the distributor out, and carb off, it gave me enough clearance to do so.
I would recommend a helper to help in balancing the car, also support the front end with straps to the core support.
When I reinstalled I had a better idea and built a load leveler to better balance the body. With the help of a neighbor we had the body installed in less than an hour.
I would recommend a helper to help in balancing the car, also support the front end with straps to the core support.
When I reinstalled I had a better idea and built a load leveler to better balance the body. With the help of a neighbor we had the body installed in less than an hour.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,519
Likes: 506
From: Bussey, IA
YEah I did mine with a 2k lb cherry picker. No problem at all. My front fenders weren't attached so that may be a consideration for you. You CAN rest the body on the legs of the picker and roll it around that way for while if you need to.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 605
Likes: 28
From: Havelock North Carolina
Thanks for all of the positive responses. It looks like I'll be able to use the cherry picker (with a little care and some help) as suggested by many of you. I plan on doing it this Sunday when it warms up to 40º and will try to post pics of the progress.
Limping across the line
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,299
Likes: 109
From: Peoria Az
Call a local crane company.
This is one of the many ways I have done it.
Good thing the HOA didn't come around that day
Borrowed a A frame
Used a Cherry picker
Cant wait to use my Overhead crane
This is one of the many ways I have done it.
Good thing the HOA didn't come around that day
Borrowed a A frame
Used a Cherry picker
Cant wait to use my Overhead crane
Last edited by AzMotorhead; Jan 24, 2014 at 12:42 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I will be tackling this soon, I will use a homemade "A" frame but years ago I pulled a kit car body from a full frame by strapping a hoist on a big oak tree limb, hey it worked.....
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 201
Likes: 1
From: Tucson AZ
I must have read 20 threads from here and other corvette forums before tackling mine over the holidays.
Pittsburgh 2 ton crane from HF
3 straps from HF (16' ones so I jacked body up a bit and ran the straps all the way under the car
chassis on its tires, on wheel dollies.
went up smoothly, rolled chassis over, slid body dolly in.
Just make sure you move the chassis, and not the crane holding up your body. Others may have been lucky but I was not going to tempt fate.
Very fresh in my mind so holler if you have questions
Oh - a quick note. I modified my body dolly to be 8" off the ground (5" casters) so the wood braces would clear the support legs of the 2 ton crane. Consider that in your planning.
Pat
Pittsburgh 2 ton crane from HF
3 straps from HF (16' ones so I jacked body up a bit and ran the straps all the way under the car
chassis on its tires, on wheel dollies.
went up smoothly, rolled chassis over, slid body dolly in.
Just make sure you move the chassis, and not the crane holding up your body. Others may have been lucky but I was not going to tempt fate.
Very fresh in my mind so holler if you have questions
Oh - a quick note. I modified my body dolly to be 8" off the ground (5" casters) so the wood braces would clear the support legs of the 2 ton crane. Consider that in your planning.
Pat
Last edited by finallygotit; Jan 24, 2014 at 08:22 PM.