Complete guide to body removal?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,285
Likes: 4,375
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Greg,
Using the dolly I designed supports the body at the original body mount points.
I ran a lag screw in through one of the #1 mount locations and one on the opposite side in the #3 mount location.
I drilled a hole in the upright first since I was screwing into the end-grain of the uprights.
Regards,
Alan
Using the dolly I designed supports the body at the original body mount points.
I ran a lag screw in through one of the #1 mount locations and one on the opposite side in the #3 mount location.
I drilled a hole in the upright first since I was screwing into the end-grain of the uprights.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Nov 3, 2015 at 07:01 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Hahahaha....thanks Bats. At this point, my biggest concern (if I decide to do it), isn't the bolts, or disconnecting stuff, its the lift itself.....Obviously, a 2 post lift is ideal, although clearly numerous people have done it with an engine hoist....which is the route I would have to go....I can't wait for the HOA complaint as Im blocking the back alley way lifting a corvette body off a rusty frame with an engine hoist and a bunch of straps......actually, add a case of beer and that sounds like a pretty enjoyable afternoon.....
I had wicked bad luck with my tech who did mine, I guess he meant well but just dropped the ball over and over and I assume dropped my body and did lots of damage he really didnt care about.
He made some wood frame looked great and one would have expected it to work very well, but perhaps the way he strapped it but my door skins were cracks, rear wheel flares busted rear lower exhaust filler busted, valve covers dented dizzy almost busted off etc etc,
I never got straight answers what happened and the repair he did to the rear flares was horrible and that was the only thing he repaired the rest he didnt care, okay enough of that,
I have been involved with a lot of body lifts and what ever you use to lift just be careful where you place the straps seems that is the key and I do believe that my car was rather extreem all the damage.
PS,
On your screen name my dad was a Navy airplane tech
Last edited by The13Bats; Nov 3, 2015 at 09:37 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
Body-off is kinda like moving. You get less damage if you do it yourself. Even though movers have more practice, they don't own the stuff so it's condition doesn't mean as much to them as getting the job done quick and getting paid...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
But my point is more that some corvette shops are worthless and some treat your car like they would their own....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
you know it does suck out loud, and while I don't fully kick myself I did learn a lesson and added it to my jaded folder,
The fellow was a seasoned body man, not a corvette man even though he owned two it didn't make him the expert he thought he was, his ego and lack of being able to communicate was as big a downfall as was his biting off more than he could handle, he wasn't $atan.
it started off very well it took 9 months of games to get to the point of threats of getting the law involved to get my car back....in my case the damage he did wasn't as bad to me as the time he took about 8 months longer than promised....okay enough of that rant,
The fellow was a seasoned body man, not a corvette man even though he owned two it didn't make him the expert he thought he was, his ego and lack of being able to communicate was as big a downfall as was his biting off more than he could handle, he wasn't $atan.
it started off very well it took 9 months of games to get to the point of threats of getting the law involved to get my car back....in my case the damage he did wasn't as bad to me as the time he took about 8 months longer than promised....okay enough of that rant,
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
In my case it would have actually taken more work time money to make what I wanted and not do a body off.
I was desiring a like new car and I wasnt starting with a very well maintained or pampered car.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,569
Likes: 2,405
From: Redacted
Bats, please don't take our banter as a jab at you or your build....we've all fallen victim to the C3 project in some form or fashion...I appreciate everyone's input on the subject and look forward to continuing down the rabbit hole....despite my wife's disapproving stares......
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Bats, please don't take our banter as a jab at you or your build....we've all fallen victim to the C3 project in some form or fashion...I appreciate everyone's input on the subject and look forward to continuing down the rabbit hole....despite my wife's disapproving stares......
My build is a great target for all kinds of jabs, if a person raises a flag they should not get upset if that flag gets a salute,
I fully realize my build is too radical for most and many who do like things I'm doing will not tackle it because they are locked into settling with the way their car came factory due to thinking stock is worth more or fear they simply can not pull it off which is hogwash,
No one should settle and if I can make this happen for 13K then any one could.
I admit I do get a bit deflated when it seems that most times here anyone who wants to tackle something bigger than an oil change or God forbid a mod is shot down on the idea.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 727
Likes: 113
From: Austin TX area
Navy,
I've been involved in probably 8 body lifts and the club I belong to uses two stands with a crank on each one. The lifter goes in the door area or rocker lip (really not sure of the terminology). Two people crank to lift the body while others are eyeballing to ensure nothing is still connected. Once the body is high enough, the chassis is rolled out and body dolly is rolled in. The stands have a wide foot base, their made from tube steel. The crank is just like what you would use to pull a boat onto a trailer.
Good luck Bill
I've been involved in probably 8 body lifts and the club I belong to uses two stands with a crank on each one. The lifter goes in the door area or rocker lip (really not sure of the terminology). Two people crank to lift the body while others are eyeballing to ensure nothing is still connected. Once the body is high enough, the chassis is rolled out and body dolly is rolled in. The stands have a wide foot base, their made from tube steel. The crank is just like what you would use to pull a boat onto a trailer.
Good luck Bill
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
1980 Corvette
Hi Greg,
I worked in a 13'x22' garage.
I built both a low dolly to move the body around on, and a taller dolly to store the body on so I could work next to it on the chassis restoration.
The body was COMPLETELY bare except for the core support.
The only thing I had plenty of was time; I didn't have much space, money, or skill. But I wanted to do it, so I made it work.
Regards,
Alan
Here the body and chassis are pushed to the end of the garage so I can work in the space across the front of both of them.
Here's the chassis tight against the body dolly with the body pushed forward so I could work across the rear of the chassis and to some degree on each side.
At times I had the chassis on jack stands sitting on casters so I could move the chassis around to get access where I needed it.
I spent 1 or 2 days a month (especially in the beginning) cleaning the garage because I was making so much filth in such a small place I couldn't stand to work in it.
Here's the low dolly. I built both out of wood because I don't know how to weld. There are some really nice aluminum dollies available now but on a budget they're a bit $$ for someone who may only use it once.
I worked in a 13'x22' garage.
I built both a low dolly to move the body around on, and a taller dolly to store the body on so I could work next to it on the chassis restoration.
The body was COMPLETELY bare except for the core support.
The only thing I had plenty of was time; I didn't have much space, money, or skill. But I wanted to do it, so I made it work.
Regards,
Alan
Here the body and chassis are pushed to the end of the garage so I can work in the space across the front of both of them.
Here's the chassis tight against the body dolly with the body pushed forward so I could work across the rear of the chassis and to some degree on each side.
At times I had the chassis on jack stands sitting on casters so I could move the chassis around to get access where I needed it.
I spent 1 or 2 days a month (especially in the beginning) cleaning the garage because I was making so much filth in such a small place I couldn't stand to work in it.
Here's the low dolly. I built both out of wood because I don't know how to weld. There are some really nice aluminum dollies available now but on a budget they're a bit $$ for someone who may only use it once.
I'm handicapped 1980 corvette thankyou
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
1980 Corvette
Hi Greg,
I worked in a 13'x22' garage.
I built both a low dolly to move the body around on, and a taller dolly to store the body on so I could work next to it on the chassis restoration.
The body was COMPLETELY bare except for the core support.
The only thing I had plenty of was time; I didn't have much space, money, or skill. But I wanted to do it, so I made it work.
Regards,
Alan
Here the body and chassis are pushed to the end of the garage so I can work in the space across the front of both of them.
Here's the chassis tight against the body dolly with the body pushed forward so I could work across the rear of the chassis and to some degree on each side.
At times I had the chassis on jack stands sitting on casters so I could move the chassis around to get access where I needed it.
I spent 1 or 2 days a month (especially in the beginning) cleaning the garage because I was making so much filth in such a small place I couldn't stand to work in it.
Here's the low dolly. I built both out of wood because I don't know how to weld. There are some really nice aluminum dollies available now but on a budget they're a bit $$ for someone who may only use it once.
I worked in a 13'x22' garage.
I built both a low dolly to move the body around on, and a taller dolly to store the body on so I could work next to it on the chassis restoration.
The body was COMPLETELY bare except for the core support.
The only thing I had plenty of was time; I didn't have much space, money, or skill. But I wanted to do it, so I made it work.
Regards,
Alan
Here the body and chassis are pushed to the end of the garage so I can work in the space across the front of both of them.
Here's the chassis tight against the body dolly with the body pushed forward so I could work across the rear of the chassis and to some degree on each side.
At times I had the chassis on jack stands sitting on casters so I could move the chassis around to get access where I needed it.
I spent 1 or 2 days a month (especially in the beginning) cleaning the garage because I was making so much filth in such a small place I couldn't stand to work in it.
Here's the low dolly. I built both out of wood because I don't know how to weld. There are some really nice aluminum dollies available now but on a budget they're a bit $$ for someone who may only use it once.
I'm handicapped 1980 corvette thankyou
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