When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
well done , a good body landing is one you can walk away from (with all fingers and toes !)
Thanks a lot. At one point yesturday, the cherry picker tipped over, and one wheel of it was about 3" off the ground. I was lucky to save it all from crashing. That was when I called off the single point approach.
I know I am making things harder than they have to be by doing it alone. I even had the neighbor stop by today offering his help again. And I have plenty of friends who are willing. But there was a few years where I had no one, and I learned how to make do by myself. Now, I guess I'm just hard headed enough to keep trying. I know there is alot of other people out there without any support, so maybe my hardheadedness can help them.
yes a long bolt goes right through , you just have to be careful ,obviously it will go in any side now but when the body is back on it can only come out one way . You have to choose wisely. Same as top shock mount bolt at back and trailing arm to frame bolt .
Cool, so if I guess right, I also become a qualified weather forecaster
Thanks a lot. At one point yesturday, the cherry picker tipped over, and one wheel of it was about 3" off the ground. I was lucky to save it all from crashing. That was when I called off the single point approach.
I know I am making things harder than they have to be by doing it alone. I even had the neighbor stop by today offering his help again. And I have plenty of friends who are willing. But there was a few years where I had no one, and I learned how to make do by myself. Now, I guess I'm just hard headed enough to keep trying. I know there is alot of other people out there without any support, so maybe my hardheadedness can help them.
I have always removed my body from the frame by myself. I like working by myself at my pace. But would not attempt it with a cherry picker. If you have room a gantry crane that's the best bet....
So I've got the back half stripped down to bare frame, Still need to finish the front end. Apparently some of my pics would prefer to float around on a cloud, instead of coming home. Maybe they'll get hungry and show up later. Anyway, I'll post what I've got for now.
Removed rear leaf spring using a c-clamp, and floor jack.
Last edited by badapplegolf; Apr 2, 2017 at 06:46 PM.
I'll have to look into options concerning the rear rotors. I was able to save the fronts. I just pulled the entire spindle assy.
Rear trailing arms!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even with a body off, they are a pita. I couldnt even imagine pulling them from a complete car.
To recap, the rear end is broke down to frame. All brake, fuel lines are gone. Front springs are gone, and spindles have been removed with the brake rotors.
The only things left on the frame are the control arms, and steering. Then its time to start the frame work.
I'm glad you survived lifting the body by yourself....
I, too have done 100% of the work on my '77 by myself.
Although, I have not removed the body (yet).
Your passenger side parking brake looks just like mine did when I restored it.
I'm starting to believe that this was a common fix back in the day when "Bubba" had problems with the parking brake system.
My process for cleaning frame is pretty much trial and error. I'm wire wheeling everything that I can get to, with weld joints being the priority.
So I've gotta vent some disappointment at this point. I've inspected the entire frame, and I can't see any problem with it's current original welds, and bracing. Sure, they "skip" (quote from the chevy power manual) welded, and most of it is pretty ugly, but I have no doubt about it's strength. The recommended gussets can't hurt, and will probably help, but I don't see any benefit to the full box weld on the frame itself. Wishing now I had just done a full bushing job with the body on, and skipped this.
However, since I committed to it, I'll finish it. Also there's those two rear control arms, LOL. Still can't get over how hard they were to remove.
I'm about halfway through the frame weld out. I'm putting it in primer as I go, just to prevent any surface rust that my swamp cooler would cause. Probably a waste of time, cause I seem to remove nearly as much as I put on each time I clean a new section for welding. However, it does make me feel much better about progress. Seeing that nice clean frame in primer is exciting.
