Body lift with Engine hoist

[corvette66]

I have heard and read about people pulling the body off their frames with an engine hoist... Really? does this actually work? I was thinking about getting the yellow straps from ecklers, and doing this, but I was not going to use an engine hoist. I have an I beam that would work nice. But I really don't want to remove the body over where the beam is, If i could use my cherry picker... would be awesome!

I have a pretty hefty hoist, what all do i need to know to do this? I can't imagine the hoist would lift high enough. Also how do you roll the frame out when the hoist is under the car? Could someone explain how to go about this? I just can't see it working well.

I would assume some folks are going to ask me "do you really need to remove the body" Yup!!! the frame has holes. and the suspension is rusted away.
Its all good, i have room, tools and time

thanx for any info

 

[68Roadster]

Dano,
I helped another member here do a body off on his '71 Feb '06...
We did it with the yellow straps and an engine hoist.....it was close but it did work.You may have to tilt front and back to get chassis out from under the car.
I don't have pictures with me at work, I can try and post some when I get home.

 

[Fred's Vettes]

I'm doing my 69 and would like to see the pictures with the cherry-picker if you could post them. Thanks , Fred

 

[Big Mort]

I recently lifted my body up, and an engine hoist wouldnt cut it. i ended up strengthening a beam in the ceiling, using an eye bolt, and used a chain pulley and it went up and down with enough clearence.

 

[68Roadster]

I'm doing my 69 and would like to see the pictures with the cherry-picker if you could post them. Thanks , Fred

Will tonite.....Jon's website is down or I would direct you there....

 

[corvette66]

looks like th ebody's lift off pretty nicely. how much does the body weigh aprox? any idea?

 

[JohnZ]

looks like th ebody's lift off pretty nicely. how much does the body weigh aprox? any idea?

About 600#-800#, depending on how much of the interior is stripped out; I've seen engine hoists do the job many times, although ten guys can do it a lot quicker and easier.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpl3XbXtN5Q

 

[Fred's Vettes]

Great video clip !! It reminded me of the fun we had putting my 69 back on the frame.

 

[68Roadster]

Will tonite.....Jon's website is down or I would direct you there....

Here ya go....

 

[Fred's Vettes]

Thanks for the pics. How did you get the chasis moved or did you move the cherry picker with the body on it out the side. Fred

 

[corvette66]

"Thanks for the pics. How did you get the chasis moved or did you move the cherry picker with the body on it out the side. Fred "

Fred, looks like they put the car tires up on thoes "dog bone" rolllers and rolled the chassis out sideways. I had wondered the same thing before i saw the picture.

 

[corvette66]

that was a great video clip. Maybe the CAC should have a technical video clip section on the website, would be a great place for people to get a visual of the work they want to perform.

 

[LVMYVT76]

Look up a web site called The Corvette Restoration Page, this shows how to completely pull the body and step by step how to redo the frame and all componets clear thru rebuilding the motor and rest of the drive line. Real good site to watch as he restores his car.

 

[68Roadster]

"Thanks for the pics. How did you get the chasis moved or did you move the cherry picker with the body on it out the side. Fred "

Fred, looks like they put the car tires up on thoes "dog bone" rolllers and rolled the chassis out sideways. I had wondered the same thing before i saw the picture.

Exactly...lots easier to put the car on the rollers and move the chassis rather than the cherry picker.....as you can tell it was close.....kind of had to tilt the front and rear of the body up to move the chassis out from underneath.....then rolled the wooden dolly (on wheels too) under the body and lowered it. Loads of fun with several moments of sheer terror!

 

[Fred's Vettes]

Thanks for all the info. I may try it that way if I can't get enough help to lift it when I'm ready. This will be the second 69 in less than a year so practice makes perfect," I hope"

 

[JohnZ]

Doesn't matter on a C2, but a C3 front end should also be supported when using lift straps; there's a lot of weight way out front on a C3, and the bond joint from the underside rear of the front clip to the top of the cowl can fail from the shear load - then you have REAL problems.