Removing body from the frame, how hard is it?
 

Just bought an 80 model. Found a substantial amount of rust on the frame. Heard someone say it is pretty easy to remove the body from the frame. Is that true? Can anyone give me quick overview of whats required to do this? Greatly appreciated.

Re: Removing body from the frame, how hard is it? (sermansvette)
 

You'll have to:

Make sure the rocker channels are strong enough to lift the body by.
If not - get back to me and I'll tell you what I did to overcome this.

Get all 8 body mount bolts out - or make sure the body is rotted enough for them to fit through.
Get the frame to front bumper support bolts out (3 each side)
Disconnect all wiring to engine/tranny + shifter/speedo.
Disconnect battery ground cable.


To reduce weight, you'll want to:

Pull entire interior - at least the seats
Pull doors, hood, and maybe front bumper/support
Pull radiator/core support


I might be forgetting something - but others will chime in.

Take a look at the pics of my 75 in the website.
Proceed with caution - you may be getting into more than you bargain for.

Good Luck
:seeya

Re: Removing body from the frame, how hard is it? (Daves_rusty_75)
 

Don't forget the antena ground cable!

Re: Removing body from the frame, how hard is it? (sermansvette)
 

I think taking it apart is the easy part. Assembly is the task :lol:
Remember to take tons of pictures for easy reference and lable and bag the number of shims, if any, at each body mount so you put it back the same way.

Re: Removing body from the frame, how hard is it? (sermansvette)
 

Front/rear bumpers/supports/or bumper covers if they stop frame from passing underneath...6 bolts from body metal cage to frame...probably 2 of them will be rusted out badly..the one's behind the kick panels...need a torch....two more up top behind rear wheels....rust out also...need torch unless lucky....lucky if the 'cups' that hold the plastic are intact....
pull steering column back off firewall, let it hang there on a block or somehting, no need for complete removal....
disconnect ALL electricals....to engine and tranny, strip out rad/support/shroud......support a/c compressor off a strap contrived up and over hooked on front fender wheel lip....towels for paint protection....
obviously remove doors, hood, deck, top, (s)....whatever....
disconnect gas tank wiring....
all this should take about a day, IF you know what you are doing,....first time, and don't know all the bolt sizes and/or have a lift and tool cart...
well.....2 days.....if you drink beer.....3 daze.....

IF you are really good, (like me) just dump all the bolts in a 5 gal bucket wash them all off, and spread them out on a large bench for reassy.....
if not...get some lunch bags and tag/mark them......
strip all the accessories off engine, a/c etc....water pump can remain, but not fan.....OH, console has to come apart if stick shift...lever slides down through rubber boot, unless you getting a new one anyway....gotta pull all shift linkages if automatic...disconnect clutch rod also if stick.....


above all, HAVE FUN!!!!!!! relax, ask questions....be careful, take your time, and DRINK BEER!!!!

GENE


[Modified by mrvette, 11:21 AM 9/27/2002]

Re: Removing body from the frame, how hard is it? (UCRed)
 

Ditto all the above, however, concerning the radiator support. I would remove radiator, and you have to unbolt the support from the frame, however, i highly recommend leaving it bolted to the fenders. That support is an intregal part of the body. It provedes a lot of stability and strenght to the front fiberglass. If you take it out, you increase the chance of a stress fracture to the body.

Re: Removing body from the frame, how hard is it? (sermansvette)
 

Not hard at all if you have the time and tools and if you want to:

Cut rusted mounting bolts with a torch or sawzall
Disconnect everything associated with the frame to body including:
Bumper mounts
Accelerator cable
Radiator and core support
A/C lines
Fuel lines and tank
Wiring to lights, starter, a/c, etc
Vacuum lines
Build a body dolly
Find eight people to agree on a time to lift it off the frame
Prepared to have your wife hate you for taking up the garage
Have 3-4 years to put all back together
Have $$$$$$$ to buy a new frame or have the old one to repaired
Have $$$$$$$ to replace mounts and bushings
Have $$$$$$$ to buy the stuff that needs to be replaced
Have $$$$$$$ to buy those things that are “while I am at it”.
Many busted knuckles and making up new cuss words

Seriously though, it is not a hard job just tedious but you should consider it long and hard, just for the fact you just bought the car and won’t be able to drive it for awhile. I had my car for eight years before I started mine and if I had it all to do over again I would still do it.

Good luck with your car, you can get lots of help here on the forum should you decide to go with it.
:cheers:

Re: Removing body from the frame, how hard is it? (DVG73)
 

Just did this on my 80 two weeks ago. I was able to remove 7 of the body bolts, #1 on the pass side got the sawsall. I found removing the rear bumper was more difficult than the body bolts, you may want to invest in a dremel tool for this. A friend of mine and I lifted it all by our selves, with the help of a chain hoist and some straps of course.

Re: Removing body from the frame, how hard is it? (DVG73)
 

Re: Removing body from the frame, how hard is it? (sermansvette)
 

It's fairly easy to remove the body. Removing the body will also be one of the cheapest things you'll ever do to your car. I've spent approximately $79 on it, but others have probably spent nothing!

However, be aware that once you do get the body off the frame the costs will begin to skyrocket. :lol:


Seriously though. Get an AIM so you'll know how to take things apart and put them back together. Take a lot of pictures along the way. Bag and tag everything. And don't forget to buy your wife roses every now and then.

:cheers:

Mark


[Modified by 81vette, 6:34 PM 9/27/2002]