I've built dollies out of 4x4 posts and 2x4's. They're on wheels and raised
the body about 4 feet, although I drilled holes in the vertical supports
every few inches to allow raising it anywhere from 1 foot to 5 feet in the
air. Basically, it's 4 pieces made out of horizontal 4x4 posts with 2
castor wheels underneath, and vertical 2x4's with metal braces and bolts
for strength. A pair of 2x4 crossbeams are bolted to a pair of the wheeled
pieces and one supports the body at the front, and the other pair of
wheeled pieces have three 2x4 crossbeams with two supporting the rear under
the wheel well arch. I designed it so the body can be wheeled independently
of the chassis dolly, and they clear each other. I've gotten inquiries to
post a diagram and pics, and hopefully I'll do so in the next few weeks.
Although I used a hydraulic jack (and my arms) to lift the body, others use a
chain hoist supporting a chain bolted to the seat mounting holes (rear outside
holes).
You can also buy spits that mount to the chassis, so you can not only raise the
body, but can also rotate it to get to the underside. There are some sites on
the Internet that sell these. I got brouchures from one of these outfits. The
equipment ranges from about $600 to $1000, depending on the compactness of the
spits, mobility (having wheels), and hydraulic arm reach.
Fred - So.SF
'68 2000 frame-off project (up in the air right now)
'66 1600 getting the U20 treatment soon
'70 1600 daily driver
________________________ Reply Separator __________________________
>Subject: Frame to hold body during restoration
>Author: Jim Williams <jamesd_williams@yahoo.com>
>Date: 5/24/99 9:38 AM
>
>Has anyone built a frame to hold up the body and perhaps rotate it for
>use during frame off restoration... I am looking to take the body off
>the frame, but need to know what type of structure I should build...
>What have you all used to get the body up, and to get to the underside
>for restoration....
>
>Any ideas, plans, etc, would be appreciated... Also approx. how much
>does the body weigh once I lift it off the frame... Lastly, where can I
>bolt to on the body, when I lift it, to keep it from flexing...
>
>Thanks!
>Jim 68 2000
>jamesd_williams@yahoo.com
>Free instant messaging and more at http://messenger.yahoo.com
>
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