Like the title says I need some direction restarting my project , I'm currently attempting a frame off restoration on my 71 GS ,I've stripped the body down and taken off what i believe to be all the body mounts and now I would like some pointers on the best way to lift the body off the frame and send it out for a safety inspection and possible powder coat, I've seen some pretty innovative diy way's to accomplish this on the site and would like some feedback from guy's that have done this themselves, I currently have her stored outside in a storage space(my shop got sold out from under me)and would like to get this done before the snow flies ,also any good recommendations for a frame/resto shop in Milwaukee would be appreciated!, I have a couple in mind but first hand knowledge is always the best. Thanks in Advance
I made a couple huge, overbuilt sawhorses wide enough to roll the chassis out from under the body, and lifted the body and using engine hoists. oh, and welcome to the site! I’m in Illinois about 30 miles south of Lake Geneva
Use soft white pine scraps and floor jacks got this done with no help.. Those are boat stands .. Once on the Stands You can turn the screws easy I sold them when I got done Got 90% of my money back they worked out well
Thanks for the replies!!,I like the ingenuity you guys have!! I'm going to take a little from both of these and see what I come up with? I'll post pics
I also noticed that you guy's left the doors on when you lifted the the body off, I have my doors off so I'm assuming that I may have to do some bracing on the body?
I'm not sure?,I've read some postings here were the body was braced but I believe that your correct and those were ragtops, I've removed the doors ,front clip and both bumpers I figure that if I lift the body off evenly and slowly I won't have any tweaking problems?
Personally I would install the doors to add support. No sense coming this far & taking a chance then it will NEVER get done if something were to happen. Tom T.
My Skylark body is quite stiff - actually had to shim under the rocker pinch weld in one spot! At first it sat on those big sawhorses touching three spots. I could pick up a corner and teeter it a bit. Honestly, didn't seem to flex at all I was very surprised. Though I’m sure my two door post is more rigid than a hard top, I would not worry about keeping the doors on. Doors add lots of weight and would not hold their space square by a door latch alone. But I would definitely fortify a ragtop with rigidly bolted (or welded) custom bracing.
