Frame up & Frame off Restorations
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: WEST BLOOMFIELD MI.
Frame up & Frame off Restorations
I have been a discussion with a fellow about frame up and frame off restorations, how would you guys out there describe, generally in a few words, what a frame up restoration is, and, again, in a few words, generally what a frame off restoration is. Thanks. Jim
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I have no idea what a frame up is but to me frame off is just that, you pull the body off the frame and the fun begains,
To some people I think a frame off means everything is like new turn key,
I believe thought that like with engines coming long block or short block how much work is done during a frame off will vary job to job,
For example my 69 is getting the frame swapped out with a doner frame but I am doing all the smaller things when my shop is done with that big part....
To some people I think a frame off means everything is like new turn key,
I believe thought that like with engines coming long block or short block how much work is done during a frame off will vary job to job,
For example my 69 is getting the frame swapped out with a doner frame but I am doing all the smaller things when my shop is done with that big part....
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
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From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
I have no idea what a frame up is but to me frame off is just that, you pull the body off the frame and the fun begains,
To some people I think a frame off means everything is like new turn key,
I believe thought that like with engines coming long block or short block how much work is done during a frame off will vary job to job,
For example my 69 is getting the frame swapped out with a doner frame but I am doing all the smaller things when my shop is done with that big part....
To some people I think a frame off means everything is like new turn key,
I believe thought that like with engines coming long block or short block how much work is done during a frame off will vary job to job,
For example my 69 is getting the frame swapped out with a doner frame but I am doing all the smaller things when my shop is done with that big part....
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Chino CA
I still have a problem figuring out why everyone calls it a frame off . I have never seen anyone take a frame off of the body but myself have taken many bodies off of the frame. For the last 40 years we called it a body off restoration which makes more sense. Not that it really matters .
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I have no idea why they use terms they do,
Like a good car is cherry or mint and a bad car is a lemon...what with all the fruit?
My 69 is a "grape"
And if someone actually kicked my tires I would think they were drinking whiskey for breakfast,
Anyway this body off frame off up or whatever we call it,
My 69 didn't look all that bad, but the old 69 chassis/frame was gross, so much had become one with each other and to really "restore" it well the body had to come off,
I am guessing some cars are better off than mine and pulling the body off isn't necessary but I have to wonder how many c3's to really be right could use a body off rebuild,
Before I freak anyone out I will still have way less than 15 and more like 13K in my car that will be in running driver condition, when compared to a new car that is still a good value considering I will be driving a like new or better 69 bb convertible...
Like a good car is cherry or mint and a bad car is a lemon...what with all the fruit?
My 69 is a "grape"
And if someone actually kicked my tires I would think they were drinking whiskey for breakfast,
Anyway this body off frame off up or whatever we call it,
My 69 didn't look all that bad, but the old 69 chassis/frame was gross, so much had become one with each other and to really "restore" it well the body had to come off,
I am guessing some cars are better off than mine and pulling the body off isn't necessary but I have to wonder how many c3's to really be right could use a body off rebuild,
Before I freak anyone out I will still have way less than 15 and more like 13K in my car that will be in running driver condition, when compared to a new car that is still a good value considering I will be driving a like new or better 69 bb convertible...
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From: Southbound
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From: London Ontario
I think Mike is likely correct on both terms!I have always thought of a 'Frame Off' as having had everything stripped off of the frame and completely rebuilt. A 'Frame Up' is more of a refresh where the major components may or may not have been removed from the car, but, the wear parts have been replaced and things cleaned up. Both may be reliable cars and look good, but, the frame off would (or should) be like new.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: New York
Frame up . I am doing that ..
It is something you do when the frame is in great shape.
So I am removing everything that bolts to the frame and replacing or reconditioning it . .
It will get new brakes , shocks , springs , control arms , anything steering related including the gear box , lines , wiring , vacuum tubing , paint , and lubricants. Cooling system , starting system , wiper motor P/S pump and lines .Belts , radiator , motor , trans , rear differential.
It will lose a lot of weight with after market parts such as the hood and front nose , a/c dellete as well as the spare tire, Suspension alone will remove 120 pounds.
The interior and body are mint ,, now with upgrades it should handle way better stop as well or better and have a motor with substantially more power.
I am also re-routing all wiring and vacuum tubing so my brake booster will not have a web of crap covering it. And the fire wall will be clean and bare of chaos ..
It is something you do when the frame is in great shape.
So I am removing everything that bolts to the frame and replacing or reconditioning it . .
It will get new brakes , shocks , springs , control arms , anything steering related including the gear box , lines , wiring , vacuum tubing , paint , and lubricants. Cooling system , starting system , wiper motor P/S pump and lines .Belts , radiator , motor , trans , rear differential.
It will lose a lot of weight with after market parts such as the hood and front nose , a/c dellete as well as the spare tire, Suspension alone will remove 120 pounds.
The interior and body are mint ,, now with upgrades it should handle way better stop as well or better and have a motor with substantially more power.
I am also re-routing all wiring and vacuum tubing so my brake booster will not have a web of crap covering it. And the fire wall will be clean and bare of chaos ..
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
I have my frame being swapped out and while Tommy isn't doing a full turn key "frame off restroation"
I will have that when shes running again and it was cheap...as far as c3's go very cheap...
Time consuming....okay you got me on that one...
I will have that when shes running again and it was cheap...as far as c3's go very cheap...
Time consuming....okay you got me on that one...
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: WEST BLOOMFIELD MI.
Frame up Frame off
My thoughts are; frame up is mostly the things you see, paint, chrome interior, top, wheels & tires, correct detail under hood, frame off would be all of the frame up items, plus, take body off frame & complete rebuild of chassis, motor, trans, diff, brakes, suspension all lines, ect..... Jim
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Fredericksburg Virginia
I'm taking a stab in the dark that what is being referenced as a "Frame Up" would be removing all of the body mount bolts and breaking the critical hard connections, but only removing/shimming the body an inch or two above the frame rather than completely removing the body and placing it on a body buck. This would allow you access to the body mounts, trailing arm bolts, underside of the body, brake lines, and many other generally inaccessible locations without completely severing each and every line, hydraulic and electric.
This would allow you to "freshen" many items more easily, even paint the frame, without adding the significant time element of disconnecting and reattaching every connection.
This was done on my car by the previous owner.
A "Frame Off" (or, more correctly, a "Body Off") would sever all connections and allow complete removal of the body from the frame so one was beside the other.
This would allow you to "freshen" many items more easily, even paint the frame, without adding the significant time element of disconnecting and reattaching every connection.
This was done on my car by the previous owner.
A "Frame Off" (or, more correctly, a "Body Off") would sever all connections and allow complete removal of the body from the frame so one was beside the other.