body weight
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake Virginia
body weight
Hey all,
I'm going to be pulling the body off my '81, it will be minus the interior, the front glass, both doors, the hood, the front and rear bumper covers
does anyone have any idea of how much this will weigh? can I use my cherry picker to lift it or do I need to rent something with a little more umph ???
thanks, Jig........
I'm going to be pulling the body off my '81, it will be minus the interior, the front glass, both doors, the hood, the front and rear bumper covers
does anyone have any idea of how much this will weigh? can I use my cherry picker to lift it or do I need to rent something with a little more umph ???
thanks, Jig........
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
Once you've lightened it by removing everything like you have, the fiberglass body doesn't weigh all that much. I've seen six or seven guys raise one by hand. So, max, maybe 500 lbs? Probably quite a bit less.
The problem, when using an engine lift, is raising the body high enough to clear the gas tank without hitting the ceiling of your garage. You may need to pull the tank first if you think that might be an issue. Remember the frame will rise up some when you remove the weight of the body from the springs.
The problem, when using an engine lift, is raising the body high enough to clear the gas tank without hitting the ceiling of your garage. You may need to pull the tank first if you think that might be an issue. Remember the frame will rise up some when you remove the weight of the body from the springs.
Last edited by gcusmano74; Dec 11, 2012 at 10:08 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Fairview PA
I used a cherry picker on my 69 with a heavy duty tow strap wrapped around the fulcrum of the body. Just need to find the sweet spot to balance it. If you wrap you strap tight you will get more than enough height to clear the tank and motor. My lift was a harbor freight special and did it easily by myself.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 672
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake Virginia
it will more than likely be just me or me and the wife pulling it. I planned on using the engine lift with a few ratchet straps to support and balance the load, now I just have to finish disconneting the thousands of wires and hoses. also, I wish I could get my hands around the neck of the engineer that designed the way the bumper covers are attached to the body, OH WHAT JOY THAT IS !!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
when I lifted my body I used a 2 ton engine hoist, straps and an engine leveler. it was just me and the wife, she just kept the body from swinging. after the lift I put it on a dolly that I built. the whole lift took 20 min. Its was much easier than I expected.
I did find the body weight pushed the doors in so I opened the doors for the rear straps and placed the front strap forward of the door seam. good luck.
I did find the body weight pushed the doors in so I opened the doors for the rear straps and placed the front strap forward of the door seam. good luck.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 318
Likes: 3
From: NP Nebraska
I lifted the body off my '80, (including the doors and glass )with a cherry picker and tow straps by myself. It really is about finding the right balance. Oh, and figuring out how to get the chassis out from under it. I didn't have enough height on the cherry picker to pull the body over the side of the chassis so I had to roll the chassis out, without tires, and jump the legs of the cherry picker. I know, I'm an idiot. My advice - get a case of beer and invite your 6 best friends!