The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs advice on removing panel body from frame.

Anyone removed a panel body from the frame?

Questions:

• What are minimum tools needed?
• Any step by step write ups available online (pics)?
• How high do you have to lift it to roll out the frame?
• Can it be done without a hoist?
• Though not ideal, can it be done with 1 floor jack (MacGuyver style)
• Is it worth the trouble? (want to run all new brake lines and rewire truck)

Thanks.

old post #1

old post #2

Mines on a rotisserie now, we used strapping and a come along. Got it just high enough to drag the frame out and then mounted it on the rotisserie for ease of work on it…….g

GMONIZ, What attachment points did you use to attach the body to your rotisserie?

The lower angled area (where emergency brake mounts and the same location on the other side) and we bolted through the rear sill.

BTW: Mine is a 1949 GMC suburban

hardly worth McGuyvering only for brake lines and wires .... have to remove steering column/box, unbolt a passel of likely siezed body mounts, and needs to be high enough to clear the tires, just put it as high as you can on jack stands under the frame and get yerself a comfy creeper

Bill

I am with Red58, can't see removing the whole body just for new wires and brake lines, seems like a whole lot of work!

I used some camper jacks.found them at a garage sale for $25 for the set.built a beam with 8' 2x4s and screwed some 12" plywood to boathouse sides. Pulled the doors and ran the beam through. I fastened the beam to the camper jacks so no chance of the beam coming off the jacks.worked sweet . For the rear I used rope from the top rear door hinges to screw eyes in the garage rafter, I was going to use small block and tackle but found it wasn't vary heavy and was able to just lift up on the body as I pulled down on the rope. Working slowly one corner at a time it was easy and safe .
Once the frame was rolled out I lowered the body on to stands.

I agree with Red, that's a lot of work just to run wires and lines. Both can be done in a lot less time than it would just to pull the body.

agreed Red "it's a lot of work"&"get yerself a comfy creeper"

to answer some of your question..
yes it is possible to do it with a floor jack but you might want two.
done with just a floor jack
we welded a piece of 16"4x4 SQ tube to the floorjack for extra height.

Here's a photo of how I hoisted mine….AFTER
metal repairs to cowl, firewall, floors, toe board, rockers, and wheel wells were made…Otherwise it would have collapsed on itself!

I used a simple process of hoisting (using engine hoist) one end at a time until the frame would roll out and clear the underside of the body.
Rested the body on sturdy supports of cement blocks and lumber.
No work to body was done while resting on this set up. It was only to
hold the body while I did the chassis work.
mike

http://s1367.photobucket.com/user/R...0before%20and%20after/body%20off%20frame

yeah . i agree with not even trying it until all the patch metal is done.. i'm not even sure the cowl and floor is square to where it should be as it is.. forget about moving it.