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I know there are literally hundreds of posts on here about body off restorations, but I would like to add what a relief it is to finally separate that body from the chassis. I was a little anxious to see what condition the chassis was in when the body came off but I must say that it was much better than I expected which was a big relief. The chassis prep should be pretty straight forward thankfully.
It has been a long road with still plenty to travel but at least I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel (unless its a train!). I have been restoring parts along the way through the tear down so once I have done the chassis and body it should be all put back together which will be nice to work with nice clean and new parts where necessary, rather than dealing with the 30 odd years of grime and neglect.
For what it is worth I built a steel dolly (with the help of my mate and his welder) and I wonder why anyone would build a timber one. The steel allows a lot more access to the underside of the body for restoration and is very light and manoeuvrable. I fabricated a support for the nose today and will bolt it to the body and dolly frame this week.
I am finally looking forward to completing the journey and hitting the road with the 430HP churning some rubber out.
Hi c,
Frame looks nice and solid from the picture!
I think some people build a timber dolly (and one that doesn't limit access) because they don't have a mate with a welder.
Good Luck as you continue!
Regards,
Alan
I agree with Alan, that is a good scenario to have a friend that is a good welder. My stick built dolly was easy and still provided nearly as much access as yours.
Congrats on the body off! That frame looks impeccable. Goodluck with the restoration.
Thanks for your comments Alan. Yes, I guess it is a little arrogant of me to think everyone has access to a mate with a welder (welding is not my strong point). Timber or steel though, as long as it provides good access to the body is the key. I did start the restoration with the body on and struggled through doing the rear section of the car on my back on the shed floor before I realised the body definitely had to come off if I was going to do a decent job. It is definitely not going to be any show winner but at least I know what I have at the end of the day.
Cheers!
Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi c,
Frame looks nice and solid from the picture!
I think some people build a timber dolly (and one that doesn't limit access) because they don't have a mate with a welder.
Good Luck as you continue!
Regards,
Alan
Thanks for your comments. Yes, I am lucky to have a mate that is a good welder. I owe him a lot for his assistance with this build so far.
Yes, frame looks OK and much better than expected, apart from a few minor issues but definitely looks better than some I have seen restored on this forum site.
Originally Posted by LeMans Pete
I agree with Alan, that is a good scenario to have a friend that is a good welder. My stick built dolly was easy and still provided nearly as much access as yours.
Congrats on the body off! That frame looks impeccable. Goodluck with the restoration.
Hi c,
I agree that lifting the body offers some possibilities that just aren't there with the body in place.
It's not right for every person, nor every car; but for some it's a terrific experience and with often a remarkable result.
Carry On!
Regards,
Alan
Thanks for your comments. Yes, I am lucky to have a mate that is a good welder. I owe him a lot for his assistance with this build so far.
Yes, frame looks OK and much better than expected, apart from a few minor issues but definitely looks better than some I have seen restored on this forum site.
Annnnnnnnnnd another thing.....or two....a wooden dolly built with lag bolts comes apart and stores easily........
OR
a wooden dolly is a good supply of shelving supports to place those spare parts on down the road.
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Congrats! It's always inspiring to see another successful lift.
I can't wait to separate mine, but every time I think that I'm about ready to do, something happens to force another postponement. As for material preferences, my having pretty much grown up involved with wood-frame construction, I'm quite comfortable designing such structures out of it.
I too am much more akin to working with wood (because I am a crap welder) but I already had most of the steel from a previous job so I decided to use it and it worked out pretty good. I suppose it comes down to personal preference and what works for you.
The lift itself was ridiculously easy. I was originally going to buy the lifting slings (freight to Aus would have been a killer) but I am glad I didn't. I just used two ratchet straps which I threaded between the chassis and body, under the body and then up to an endless chain I hung off my homemade A-frame. Worked like a treat!
Originally Posted by TheSkunkWorks
Congrats! It's always inspiring to see another successful lift.
I can't wait to separate mine, but every time I think that I'm about ready to do, something happens to force another postponement. As for material preferences, my having pretty much grown up involved with wood-frame construction, I'm quite comfortable designing such structures out of it.
Lift off finally!
