I need a better lifting method and need ya'll's input.

In ensuring body fit, I want to take the body on/off. The lifting method I am currently using is not efficient. Currently I am using four 2" wide ratchet style tie-down straps. The weight is assumed around 500-800 lbs and the tie-downs are adequate for that. I have installed two 2" C channels on the ceiling parallel with the car, that are 10' long and span many joists. From these C channels, I have 4 eyelet bolts spaced so the tie-downs hang directly down and grasp the bottom channel of the bottom side rails.

The problem is that you have to do a few 'clicks' up/down on each of the four tie-downs. One would think that 2 here = 2 there and so on, but you had to keep checking the tie-down straps individually for being taught and lowering the body in a level manner.

Also, the ratchet tie-downs only allow so much 'strap' or webbing to be 'rolled' up as I ratched. Eventually, at one point, I have to stop and 'reset' the tie-downs, because the reel is full. I had to 'block' each corner as I reset the tie-down for safety. Its a pain.

So - I was thinking a better method is required. I have some thoughts, but just can't quite get my arms around it. I think a center pick point is required and an easier hoisting style. For the pickpoint, I was thinking to criss-cross some C channel to enable a c\enter point. Then hang one Eyelet of some sort. Then I could use four straps from the bottom rails body gathered to one point at teh top of the car. Now have one chain or cable that lifts the entire body - maybe a pulley system?

I am in the garage and have limited dimensions:
Need 44" To clear chassis (from concrete to bottom of body)
Have 94" from Concrete to Eyelet in C Channel in ceiling
Have 15" currently from concrete to bottom of body
Need to lift additional 29"
Top of car (t-tops) are currently 52" from concrete

I hope this is understandable and appreciate the input. I have to be cost conscious, but don't mind making an appropriate investment.

 

A 1-ton chain hoist is inexpensive and will get the job done. That's what I have been using for this project. I lifted the body from another Vette using 4 old-style bumper jacks that I got from the junkyard and tightening/resetting the ratcheting straps as we went along.



Rick B.

 

This is inside a garage with a ceiling height of 8'6"

 

This is before tweaking the side rails for lower ceiling height.

 

I had no idea these were so cheap !!!!
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93251
$120 and is 9" high

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...Itemnumber=996
$50 and is ??" high

 

Justr did some quick calcs... this would give me 3" over the space I need to obtain the total 44" lift. Worst case scenarion, if it gets too tight, I can take the chassis off the wheel dollys.

Time to continue the cross bracing to accomodate the hoist.

 

Roger - now I see your posts... nice job. OK - I need to take a look and assess.. thank you VERY much

 

Update... I went to Northern Tool and bought an 1100 lb Electric Hoist for $164. I updated my ceiling bracing to have a criss-cross of bracing so that I could mount the Hoist. Its done and I will address lifting midweek I hope. I took a few pics and will follow up as I can.

Guys - thanks for the support

 

I simply made 4 equal length sections of 2" wide nylon strap with a loop at each end. Each strap was about 4' in length. 1 end on cherry picker and the other loop at a lift point, and up she came in a 8' high garage. However mine is a roadster and I'm sure that made it a bit easier.

 

I see you guys going ape with lifting racks and so forth, I just don't see the need, I worked for a while at a vette shop and we did a nice shark with just a two post lift, body up, frame replaced, and body lowered, not an issue....didn't even support the front nose, let alone the rear, so using 4 straps under the birdcage and then maybe one to the front header there makes the most sense, and I have a engine hook large enough to scrape the ceiling but I sure as hell could use a much larger garage...these damn 2 car weenie mobile garages they pass off as 2 car here in Florida, really suck ...