So I purchased this 1954 Panel Truck about a year ago. It’s not been on my project list until just this past week. So I removed the front clip in order to replace the engine. That all went well... removed the engine with no troubles. During the clean up I discovered a major crack in the frame right by the leaf spring bracket. I’ll add a picture.
So my question is how hard is it and how do I remove the body?
Thank you for your reply, I have a replacement 54 frame so I’m just going to do a swap. What do I need to do to remove the body from the broken frame? I know I’ll need to remove the steering column and the gas tank filler neck. I have a fork lift so picking up the body will be easy.
How many mounting bolts are there? Anything else I need to be looking at?
Probably about 10 bolts. You will just have to examine. You also have your pedals, wiring, gas lines to tank, transmission shifter, speedo cable, battery cables, body to frame ground strap.... The ideal method is to lift body, roll out chassis, roll in a wooden wheeled body dolly and set body down. Roll chassis to work area. Move body aside on dolly.
All those carriage bolt heads you see on your floor? Those are your body mount bolts. It's been a while but, two in the footwell, two behind the seat, two mid-floor and two at the rear. I might be missing a pair.
Yup, I missed a pair. Two in front of the rear wheel well, two behind the rear wheel well and two on the rear deck. Plus the already mentioned front floor and behind the seat.
I wouldn't attempt to repair a frame that far gone. I'll bet you find other stuff that's "not optimal" as well. Good that you have a spare frame to swap out. Bartamos, that "wing" thing behind that POS repair is the front body mount bracket.
Scott, sorry I don't know how many mounting bolts on a panel, but one of the guys can probably answer that question. You'll need to pull the steering wheel, unbolt the steering column from the frame, and remove the brake and clutch pedals (they bolt to their lower arms in front of the firewall. Also, misc engine controls (throttle pedal linkage, parking brake linkage, etc.) will need to be removed. You could lift the body off without removing the steering column, but you'd have to move the frame forward as you lift to clear it.
on edit: I see the engine is already removed, which will make things easier.
Last edited by klhansen; 09/12/20191:48 AM.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
Something to consider: if you stacked two more rows of 6x6s, you might be able to paint the whole body on that assembly? The extra height would get it up enough to reach the entire curved bottom-edges?
I removed my panel body. There were 10 bolts. I used travel trailer tipout screw jacks on all four corners to raise it.
You said you had a replacement '54 frame; Is it a panel or Suburban frame? Pickup frames are missing the panel truck body mounts. They can be fabricated fairly easily however, or you can transfer them over from your cracked frame.
