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Re: Frame to hold body during restoration

To: datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net, Jim Williams <jamesd_williams@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Frame to hold body during restoration
From: Fred_Katz@ci.sf.ca.us
Date: Mon, 24 May 1999 12:53:59 -0700
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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