Body Lifting Straps
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 11
From: Fisher, IL
Body Lifting Straps
Whoever makes these things should be fired!!! They are just the worst.
Has anyone successfully bent theirs so that they don't rub on the body?
I tried with my vice, tiny propane torch, and a socket and barely did anything.... was afraid the vice was going to break.
I've used them many times since I haven't cared about the paint/body but now that I'm close to painting I want them to work correctly so I don't screw things up when I go to put it back on.
Not to mention they're all about 2ft too long for those of us that are using engine hoists to lift. Tying knots help but when you have to tie 6 it starts looking like crap.
Has anyone successfully bent theirs so that they don't rub on the body?
I tried with my vice, tiny propane torch, and a socket and barely did anything.... was afraid the vice was going to break.
I've used them many times since I haven't cared about the paint/body but now that I'm close to painting I want them to work correctly so I don't screw things up when I go to put it back on.
Not to mention they're all about 2ft too long for those of us that are using engine hoists to lift. Tying knots help but when you have to tie 6 it starts looking like crap.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,526
Likes: 104
From: Stafford Va
Whoever makes these things should be fired!!! They are just the worst.
Has anyone successfully bent theirs so that they don't rub on the body?
I tried with my vice, tiny propane torch, and a socket and barely did anything.... was afraid the vice was going to break.
I've used them many times since I haven't cared about the paint/body but now that I'm close to painting I want them to work correctly so I don't screw things up when I go to put it back on.
Not to mention they're all about 2ft too long for those of us that are using engine hoists to lift. Tying knots help but when you have to tie 6 it starts looking like crap.
Has anyone successfully bent theirs so that they don't rub on the body?
I tried with my vice, tiny propane torch, and a socket and barely did anything.... was afraid the vice was going to break.
I've used them many times since I haven't cared about the paint/body but now that I'm close to painting I want them to work correctly so I don't screw things up when I go to put it back on.
Not to mention they're all about 2ft too long for those of us that are using engine hoists to lift. Tying knots help but when you have to tie 6 it starts looking like crap.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 11
From: Fisher, IL
I know i'll need to take the doors off go get into that area. I also thought painting with the headlights in place would also be easier but not sure how people do that either.
Last edited by PUNISHER VETTE; Jul 21, 2014 at 02:46 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 987
Likes: 7
From: Surrey British Columbia
I guess I just assumed most would paint it off the frame if they had the choice. I'm not sure what is actually the right way. It would definitely be easier and safer on the frame that's for sure.
I know i'll need to take the doors off go get into that area. I also thought painting with the headlights in place would also be easier but not sure how people do that either.
I know i'll need to take the doors off go get into that area. I also thought painting with the headlights in place would also be easier but not sure how people do that either.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 206
From: Pearland Texas
St. Jude Donor '09
I had the same issue with the straps. so I tried a different approach. I used ratchets on each end and used the Runners in my garage ceiling to lift with a chain hoist. I'm painting the body off and will be able to place it back on with the doors slightly open and the windshield out and not put pressure on the side windshield pillars. Thats about the only way I came up with . i guess the only other way will be to pull the doors off!
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 11
From: Fisher, IL
yeah. Maybe the trick is no doors... that would help with my engine hoist clearance. I'll have to try it I guess before I paint without the doors.
Only other thing I was thinking was drill 2 holes in each hook and make some sort of adapter that fit much easier. but that would involve a lot of work and some fabrication...which I can't really do.
Only other thing I was thinking was drill 2 holes in each hook and make some sort of adapter that fit much easier. but that would involve a lot of work and some fabrication...which I can't really do.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,216
Likes: 66
From: Killeen Texas
Whoever makes these things should be fired!!!
I've used them many times since I haven't cared about the paint/body but now that I'm close to painting I want them to work correctly so I don't screw things up when I go to put it back on.
Not to mention they're all about 2ft too long for those of us that are using engine hoists to lift. Tying knots help but when you have to tie 6 it starts looking like crap.
I've used them many times since I haven't cared about the paint/body but now that I'm close to painting I want them to work correctly so I don't screw things up when I go to put it back on.
Not to mention they're all about 2ft too long for those of us that are using engine hoists to lift. Tying knots help but when you have to tie 6 it starts looking like crap.
Last edited by Tim 1973; Jul 22, 2014 at 09:47 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 912
Likes: 47
From: Kansas City MO
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ft-straps.html
Here's another thread that I posted on. Took a torch to heat up the bracket and laid an impact socket sideways and then used my press to press down on the socket and expand the bracket. Worked out pretty well and was able to lift the body without the brackets hitting the doors. Only downfall was that I did get a bit carried away with heating up the bracket and slightly melted the strap. Luckily I caught it in time before the straps became unusable...
Here's another thread that I posted on. Took a torch to heat up the bracket and laid an impact socket sideways and then used my press to press down on the socket and expand the bracket. Worked out pretty well and was able to lift the body without the brackets hitting the doors. Only downfall was that I did get a bit carried away with heating up the bracket and slightly melted the strap. Luckily I caught it in time before the straps became unusable...
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 11
From: Fisher, IL
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ft-straps.html
Here's another thread that I posted on. Took a torch to heat up the bracket and laid an impact socket sideways and then used my press to press down on the socket and expand the bracket. Worked out pretty well and was able to lift the body without the brackets hitting the doors. Only downfall was that I did get a bit carried away with heating up the bracket and slightly melted the strap. Luckily I caught it in time before the straps became unusable...
Here's another thread that I posted on. Took a torch to heat up the bracket and laid an impact socket sideways and then used my press to press down on the socket and expand the bracket. Worked out pretty well and was able to lift the body without the brackets hitting the doors. Only downfall was that I did get a bit carried away with heating up the bracket and slightly melted the strap. Luckily I caught it in time before the straps became unusable...
I read in the paint section that DUB(the go to guy there) likes to paint with the body on the frame so that all the gaps and shims are in order and you know are correct... which makes a lot of sense. It just means more time prepping and taping off stuff you don't want painted.