Now that I'm semi retired and no longer have any employees I'm checking to see what methods guy use to remove bodies. I'm doing a 32 5 window and need to remove the body from the frame. I've got a really nice body so don't want to screw it up. In the past I've always taken my cars to a shop for the heavy lifting and paint but thinking of doing this one myself? I've seen engine hoists used but don't know if their heavy duty enough?
I don't have pics, but I lifted many chevy truck cabs with doors and glass, seats, from 1960 to 1980 style with the old engine crane. (they are quite heavy) the crane beam goes into the interior, through the side window... the forward center is where those balance. You can add ballast to level different types of bodies. I put a plank through the window openings, across. Then I have a added 1/2" plate standing up, welded to the top/tip of the beam. (that orig'y was added for a keyhole for a chain anchor, but works for this:...) That plate digs into the plank and does not slip....the cab is just dangling. It feels sketchy at first, when you bump the cab, but I have moved cabs all around the shop like that. Where you plank it, you don't want the plank to crush those roof parts, so I use thick upholstery foam, rolled plush carpet, or whatever will cushion it. EDIT: The plank sits on top of the tip of the boom, and the boom pushes the plank up. No ropes or straps on closed car body
I used an engine hoist and removed the doors and put it inside the body. I then rigged up some tie downs at all 4 corners and lifted it off. piece of cake.
Combination of floor jacks and engine hoist,then I got the body high enough then removed the wheels and slid the frame out. I did this alone. HRP
I have both the overhead chain hoist and a engine hoist so I just attach slings at the front and rear body mount areas and lift from both ends and roll the frame out from the chain hoist end. But most guys don't have both. The engine hoist through the door openings works but I would still want a couple pre beer friends on hand to help balance it cause if it gets off balance, it is gone!! Do not ask how I know. lol And now you know why I have both! good luck Larry
I used two come-a-longs hung from the rafters when I removed/installed the body on my '40. Built a frame that attached to the hood hinge mount points on the firewall for the front and dropped a sling through the rear window opening to a 2X4 under the package shelf for the back... no sweat.
I used and engine hoist, with a 4x4 under the window tops. Pretty good balance with the 4x4 towards the back of the window.
I highly recommend this lift for safety and easily remove the body with no damage . I have been using one for years and a buddy turned me onto one. You can find them for 500 bucks and you'll replace the engine hoist as well
An engine hoist will be strong enough. I recently used a harbor freight engine hoist to move a Mill and a Lathe, no problem. A '32 body is a fraction of that weight.
Congrats on your partial retirement. You could raise the body an inch at a time and put supports under it as you go. Young and foolish and didn't have any help. Lucky we survived.
Saw a 5w body lifted with wooden cross. Short end out the windshield opening. Right to left out the door opening. Long end out the back window. Centered the lift point and lifted using over head chain hoist.
Bronco is not HAMB friendly, 2 Harbor Frieght chain hoists from rafters works good if you got the ceiling height
With my engine hoist and a bit of time I can move anything. When nobody shows up to help in the garage you and it will become best friends.
I cheat. I bought this rotary lift 10 years ago and it is by far the best money I have ever spent. I work alone in my garage and this thing allows me to the job of several people.
Here is how I did mine. Shop was a mess but I got it done. Note the lift brace I used across the cowl.
I usually wrap them up in a sheet, stuff them in the trunk, weigh them down with cinder blocks and dump them in the bay. Sent from my prison cell using H.A.M.B. mobile app
I've done all the above. One day I had a few rounds of musical frames and bodies to swap around-So I broke down and bought a gantry crane. Easiest body lift adventure ever, super safe and almost a non issue no brainier. It's one of those things that you wonder why you've went so long without. Almost bit the big one jockeying a finished 85 c10 cab with an engine hoist, scary day.
My son and I picked up the Model A body and just walked it back. Also used Engine hoist and pickup in middle of car as shown earlier. 32 cannot be much heavier then our body.
On my 32 5W I used 2 chain pulls hung from an I-beam and wrapped around the B pillar. With firewall on the frame and the trunk lid off it balanced very well. My 6 year old helped lower the body on the frame for the last time using using that method.
When I seperated the body/frame on my 66 Suburban (by myself) I used a pair of those cheezy trailer tongue jacks that I made mounting plates for on the front cowl sides as the front sheetmetal had already been removed along with both front and rear suspension and drivetrain. I was able to get it close to height by "inching" and "inching" and "inching" it up with floor jacks and using every jackstand and big timbers I had. In the rear I built a framework with Heavy Duty wheelbarrow wheels, dropped the bare chassis down and rolled the body out over it. It's been quite a few years so I can't recall every step, but it was a white knuckle affair before it was done. I didn't get photos but I have a vivid memory of the "pucker factor".
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