getting body off straps started
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Race Director
Joined: May 2002
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From: Check this riff........
getting body off straps started
Ok, my body off was put on hold for a while. I am ready to lift, but how do you lift body enough to get the straps under it. I am using my lift and numerous (8) tie down straps.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Mechanicsville VA
Spend some money (it isn't much) to get the Corvette lift sling from one of the specialty suppliers (Zip's, VanSteel, MidAmerica, Eckler's, etc) as it has the proper lifting fittings at the ends. A good chain fall, and a sturdy roof structure, you may get it off in short order IF the body bolts aren't as stubborn as mine were.
Thread Starter
Race Director
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From: Check this riff........
Let me clarify EVERYTHING is off and ready to go. Just need to lift enough to get the straps underneath. I know some others here had no problems using plain tie-downs.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Plano TX
I lifted my body enough to replace the mounts by using 3 floor jacks. I figure you should be able to get it up enough with floor jacks to get the straps under it. Remove the rocker panel moldings and put one jack on each side lifting on the metal cage just outside the frame. The 3'rd jack lifts the radiator support.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: largo florida
I slid my straps under without lifting the body. I believe I started from underneath the car, and used a screw driver to help push the straps. I remember there were a few spots where the gap between the frame and body had greater clearances, so i used those spots and dragged the strap back where I wanted it.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Birmingham AL
Originally Posted by BigBadOrange
Ok, my body off was put on hold for a while. I am ready to lift, but how do you lift body enough to get the straps under it. I am using my lift and numerous (8) tie down straps.
http://77vette.blogspot.com/
back in January when I lifted my body. You'll see some pics of the lift and where I hooked the straps on. I didn't go all the way under the body. I used two 6 ton straps and hooked the eyes on the metal part of the body at the bottom just behind the front wheel and just in front of the rear wheel. No bending, no fuss, no muss.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: St. Charles IL
Cruise-In 5-6-7-8-9-11-12 Veteran
A CI-6 Car Show Winner
I was also able to feed the plain end of ratcheting tie downs under mine, no problems. I would strongly recommend NOT USING the sling kits that hook on the rocker channels unless you are 100% certain they are not rotted out. Those channels are a very weak link in my opinion, lots of room for rust to hide in there, and the slings may cause substantial damage if the channels give way during the lift.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: North Alabama
Originally Posted by lostpatrolman
I slid my straps under without lifting the body. I believe I started from underneath the car, and used a screw driver to help push the straps. I remember there were a few spots where the gap between the frame and body had greater clearances, so i used those spots and dragged the strap back where I wanted it.
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Race Director
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From: Check this riff........
Originally Posted by steves_77vette
Look back at my blog here:
http://77vette.blogspot.com/
back in January when I lifted my body. You'll see some pics of the lift and where I hooked the straps on. I didn't go all the way under the body. I used two 6 ton straps and hooked the eyes on the metal part of the body at the bottom just behind the front wheel and just in front of the rear wheel. No bending, no fuss, no muss.
http://77vette.blogspot.com/
back in January when I lifted my body. You'll see some pics of the lift and where I hooked the straps on. I didn't go all the way under the body. I used two 6 ton straps and hooked the eyes on the metal part of the body at the bottom just behind the front wheel and just in front of the rear wheel. No bending, no fuss, no muss.
--your work looks truly amazing. I only hope mine comes out that ncie.
Last edited by BigBadRed; Apr 27, 2005 at 12:23 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Detroit MI
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Before you hook anything onto those rocker channels, make double-sure that they can support the weight of the body.
If there is any corrosion within those rocker channels, I would think twice about hooking anything onto them.
Feeding the straps between the rocker channels and the frame is not a very tough job. Use a couple of zip ties on each end and feed them through the channel, above the transmission/driveshaft and around the body.
It is worth the piece of mind. The last thing you want is to have that body come crashing down if a rocker channel separates.
If there is any corrosion within those rocker channels, I would think twice about hooking anything onto them.
Feeding the straps between the rocker channels and the frame is not a very tough job. Use a couple of zip ties on each end and feed them through the channel, above the transmission/driveshaft and around the body.
It is worth the piece of mind. The last thing you want is to have that body come crashing down if a rocker channel separates.
Thread Starter
Race Director
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From: Check this riff........
Thanks for the tips, I will double check the rockers for rust. My frame is almost rust free, but I know the top of the windshield frame is very rusty, 90% sure that will need replaced, but odly enough, it does not seem that bad one it gets behind the fenders, unless I am missing something. I took of the kicker panels to access the body mounts, there was a bunch of flaked off rust piled up on the mounts. However once I cleaned it all up, it did not look that bad. I think all the rust flakes actually came from the steel reinforcements of the pillar post trim and top of windshied trim. But I will know for sure soon enough!