Frame off

[Guest vacabill]

I have taken the fenders off my 32 olds sedan, Ive gone this far, so now i want to take the body off, I have never done it before, can anyone guide me through the steps and what precautions should I look out for. all I know is I have to take the bolts out, and thats the extent of my knowledge. I never intended to go this far, I guess, i dont know when to stop

[trimacar]

Well, I'm sure you'll get different answers to this, but here's how I've done it before on GM wood body cars.

First of all, I've seen people put straps through the windows and lift the body by the straps, personally I don't like that method, as it puts quite a strain on the top framework.

Remove all seats, floorboards, etc. from inside car.

If you can remove steering column, that's best, but at the least disconnect from frame so you can somewhat lay it down.

Get between frame and wood sill, pry car off frame, and put wedges or spacers, working slowly around car (i.e. don't try to raise one part up too much) then get where you can lift car and put larger spacers, so that you can get about 4 or more inches clearance between frame and body. If the bottom wood sill that rests along the frame is in good condition, then the body should lift evenly.

Get two long 4x4 timbers, and place crossways under body, then rest those on sawhorses. One person on each side to lift a 4x4, another person to slide sawhorses under.

Roll chassis forward out from under body, with the steering column the main thing that needs to clear.

Good luck, a frame off is a long project unless you have 50 hours a week to put into it, and even then it'll take a year or more, just with delays in getting chrome, etc. done...

[Guest vacabill]

Good luck, a frame off is a long project unless you have 50 hours a week to put into it, and even then it'll take a year or more, just with delays in getting chrome, etc. done...

Sounds easy enough. i have all the parts, but need to go over the mechanicals, brake cables, clutch and brake pedal adjustments, shocks etc. ive got time , but i am old and fat and it would be easier for me to do it from the top, then going under it, guess i could hire someone to go under it, but ive got time.

Edited April 13, 2013 by vacabill (see edit history)

[Guest vacabill]

any idea what the body weighs?

[Chris Bamford]

...need to go over the mechanicals, brake cables, clutch and brake pedal adjustments, shocks etc ... i am old and fat and it would be easier for me to do it from the top, then going under it...

My take on this — think twice about lifting the body off for that sort of work. If you still figure that's the best approach, think it over again another time or two before moving ahead:

1. You'll be spending a fair bit of time under there anyway just getting the body off, and another chunk of time underneath putting it back on;

2. All the components you mentioned are accessible from beside/underneath the car, even ore so now that you've removed the front fenders;

3. You will need at least twice the space and I bet at least twice the time to complete whatever work you have planned;

4. You may not be able to adjust the clutch and brake pedals without a floorboard to reference;

5. Whileyeratititis will pounce at the slightest provocation;

6. Raising the whole car with sturdy jack stands under the frame will droop the front and rear suspensions and give easier access to them, especially with the wheels and tires off; and

7. Every time you remove components for no good reason, you run the risk of damaging something, breaking fasteners, etc. that will set back the project unnecessarily.

I lifted my '47 Dodge sedan with sturdy stands under the frame (photo below) a couple years ago for quite a bit of underside work — brakes shoes, some lines and hoses, master cylinder, floor patch, new springs and shocks, accessory wiring harness to the rear, pedal adjustments, etc. I treated myself to a nice new creeper and it was really no problem working underneath even with my B & B (Belly & Bifocals) Syndrome. My service stall space is limited and it was handy to be able to store wheels and tires and a roll-out tray of components under the car.

[Bhigdog]

All good points, but there are sooo many things that can can be done easier and better with the body off in a whole lot less time. I say if you have the space and means ............"Take it off, take it all off".................................Bob

[Chris Bamford]

...there are sooo many things that can can be done easier and better with the body off in a whole lot less time...Bob

Very true. It all comes down to what things, exactly, does he want to do?

His post above mentioned brakes, pedal adjustments, shocks, and "go(ing) over the mechanicals". In my garage those are not frame-off jobs, not by a long shot. That's just repair work.

Now if a person plans to do a full restoration, serious undercarraige cosmetics, floor rust repair and that sort of thing, then sure — take it off, but be prepared to spend 2013 in the garage and not on the road.

[Bhigdog]

All too true..........................Bob

[Guest vacabill]

ok,, its gonna stay on, dont take much to talk me out of it. let the next guy do it

[CarlLaFong]

Why do many of us say, "Frame off" when it's really "Body off" ????

Just a thought and an example of why an idle mind is the devils workshop;)