I have been reading through as many threads as I could find on the different dolly options. I like Alan71's design as I don't plan to do any body work while it is off the frame. The car is so close to being ready for the body to be removed (the way I bought it) I figure I might as well go ahead and remove it to make life easier rebuilding the frame (new lines, drivetrain install etc).

I printed a copy Alan's design but can't seem to get it to print clear enough to read all the dimensions. Also, I have a copy of the 68 Chassis Service Manual but unless I'm misunderstanding the frame drawings I'm not seeing any dimensions that match the dolly drawing.

Any help or advice you can provide is much appreciated. Thanks in advance!!
Tod

 

I don't have the dimensions but what I can tell you is leave the core support in the car and use it to support the weight of the nose. If you don't, there is a chance the weight will crack the fenders in the middle of the wheel opening. For us we just tack weld a support from the dolly to the bottom of the support once the body is on the jig.

My dolly is made from 2 x 3" steel with 6" castors... but it's adjustable for either 1963-1967 and 1968-1982 bodies. I wish I had the dimensions for you but maybe this bump will get Alan on here.

 

Hi Tod,
The dolly I designed was based on my limitations…. (1) I don't know how to weld nor do I have any welding equipment and (2) I only needed the dolly's construction to last for 1 restoration. Thus it's wood and a design that can easily be built in a few hours on a Saturday morning with materials from my local home store.
I based the design of the dolly…. the placement of the uprights and their relative height… on the Frame Dimension Drawing that appears in the Frame Section 2.7 (Fig.6) of the 71 GM Chassis Service Manual.
The dolly is designed so that the center of each up right is at the location of the center of each body mount on the frame. The relationship of the height of each upright to the dolly base places the top of each upright in the same relative position as the body mounts on the frame.
This supports the body on the dolly in the same way it is supported on the frame.
The dolly uprights are attached using bolts so that each can be removed and replaced individually with the body on the dolly. This was done to facilitate working on the entire under body as needed while it was on the dolly.
There are 2 uprights on the front crossmember of the dolly that support the core support of the body. (see photo).
Once the body was at the body shop the plan was to have the body sit outside each sunny day for 4 or 5 months as it was prepared for paint so the large wheels were used to make it easy for one person to move it around.
I realize this dolly is right for everyone but it served it's purpose for me.
Regards,
Alan

Most folks seem to be able to blow this up on their screen as needed.

 

Alan,
Thanks for the clarifications on your dolly. I will probably build the frame of the dolly and just take measurements off the car to set the supports per your description. My use of the dolly will be similar as far as just needing a place to "store" the body until all the chassis work is done so I like the easy to build aspect.
Thanks again,
Tod

 

Definitely support off the radiator support... Larger the better wheels.

 

Hi Tod,
The locations and heights of the body mounts are the same for a 68 as they are for a 71.
Regards,
Alan

 

Will do... Plan on getting the 10" or so from HF like in Alan's pic.

Thanks, my 68 chassis service manual only gives dims on the front end for corvette but shows full frame dims on all the other Chevy frames. Now I know for sure

 

With Alan on the job, you are probably all set. I can take measurements, photos, etc of the dolly mine is resting upon, if you would like.



Good luck!

 

Thanks Ed for the kind offer. I think I'm good now but I will keep it in mind in case I get stuck.