Here's the deal I was able to find and have one payment left on an original 79 4-speed frame that I should receive in the next month after my last payment for it.

Should I take it to a shop to have it done, or what is involved in doing a frame swap for my vette? Would it be too much of a burden for me where I would have to buy all the extra tools/equip to do it right the first time and only end up using them for that one time. I'm thinking it would be more worth while to have a shop do it for me. THis way I figure I can have them do the couple necessary body repairs at the same time.

Anyone from around the northeast know of any decent shops in Massachusetts?????

I need your advice..........

 

Do a search in the archives on this, and you'll get an idea of what's involved.

Let me say this much: it's neither cheap or easy. People here have taken years to do it. As far as special tools, there really aren't any that I'm aware of. You'll need a basic socket set to remove the frame to body fasteners.

The biggest part, is lifting the body itself. You'll need a way to do this, and most go with a harness that can be purchased for not a whole lot of dough. You could probably improvise and come up with one as well. Another way, is to get a bunch of buddies to help you lift the body from the frame. For ease of movement, it helps to have a rolling dolly or platform on which to set the body.

At any rate, you're going to have to remove or detach every single part attached to the body. Doors, hood, interior parts, glass, etc. Steering and electrical linkages also need to be detached, removed. This is no joke, but obviously can be done.

Good luck with it. Can I ask why you want to undertake this? Is your current frame broken? Are you determined to do a body off? My 77 was a mess when I bought it. I knew it wasn't going to be a concours car, but more of a Sunday driver. So I had the damaged frame section cut out and a new one sectioned in. This cost me $600 and took two days. But the result was much cheaper and easier than doing a body off. It was also more in keeping with the intent of the car.

For what it's worth.

:cheers:

 

There are really no special tools required to do this other than the standard tools you would use everyday in maintaining your Vette. The only special thing you would need depends on the method you choose to lift the body off the frame. Most people I know have just lifted the body off the frame with the help of 5 or 6 friends. I used a harness that I paid about $60 for and attached it to a chain hoist. If you get the harness, you could resell it after you are finished. I have seen used harnesses at swap meets, except when I was looking for one when I needed it.

The main thing you would need to consider is how much time you want to take doing this, because for a one person project, it could take several months of non-stop work in your spare time. A good shop could probably do this in a week or so, but could be very expensive.


Hope this helps!

Bill

http://home.earthlink.net/~bigdogvettes/index.html

 

I do all my work myself, so I don't know all the names of the local shops.
There is one in the Fitchburg/Leominster area - and Corvettes and Classics in Taunton.

As far as a frame swap goes, the body can be removed in many ways ...
from six guys lifting it by hand to many various lifts.
I pulled mine in my 7 ft garage ... using a cable puller and ratcheting tie-downs.

The most exotic tools required are he pickle forks for removing the front
suspension parts ... and a sawzall if the rear trailing arm bolts are frozen.

Basically .. time is money. Which one do you have more to spend ?
I've been working on mine for a few years - here and there in spare time.

Is the frame in 100% condition ? You may choose to have it acid dipped and painted somewhere. I think there is a place in Worcester that will do this.

Good luck :seeya

 

Youre in for a whole can of WHOOP #%@&! I agree with NHvette. Time is money. I am in the same ordeal right now and depend heavily on advice and ideas from guys who have already done this. Three pieces of advice:
1) Get a plan and stick to it...ie: engine,trans, rearend.....ect
2) get a budget and then wad it up and throw it in the trash because you will be over in the first month.
3) there are several people who are deep into this project, pick thier brain before you decide to do this yourself (NHvette, MCspeed, 69vetteman, redwingvette) all of these and hundreds more have done this. Good luck.

 

For starters, there is no motor or tranny in the car..............

the frame is rotted in the typical areas in front of the rear wheels, and going to jack it up one day the jack went through an area of the frame like a piece of paper, so after some heavy research I was able to find an original 79 frame for the cost of what replacing the frame rails would be.

As soon as I sell my motorcycle, if anybody here wants it....i still have it(2003 Suzuki GSXR 1000 w/ undertail exhaust) I figure the frame swap to have someone do it is right there.........

At any rate, its def not something I want to be doing over the next few years....This way I figure I can start it with an original, rust-free, never-hit 79 4-speed frame.

Thanks for your help! :cheers: