Need advice on body removal

[PeaRat450]

I just picked up a '77 Wagoneer that is in good shape for the age, but I'm planning ahead for next summer. I'd like to get the frame, axles, TC, etc. cleaned up and painted, and I figured it would be much easier if the body were off the frame. I have access to a two post lift (the type with the four adjustable arms). I just wondered if there was anything I needed to consider, aside from making sure all the wiring and lines weren't going to hang up. Do I need to build some sort of wood or metal frame to distribute the weight of the body over to keep the lift from torking it, or will the metal be strong enough on it's own?

[threepiece188]

I have lifted several bodies off the frame with one set of doubled up 2x8 lumber passed through the right and left door openings and up onto the roof rail. I remember lifting a Cherokee body off this way with only the side glass and seats removed, the doors, dash and all other glass were still attached. As I recall, I may have had some minor deformation of the pinch flange in the window opening but nothing more than that.
Dan

[budojeepr]

Dr Teeth on this board did a nice job on his Wagoneer. Took photos of his body-off process...check out the build threads on his sig: http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/member.php?u=12486

[Greg Taylor]

Did you ever get at doing this? I'm considering pulling my GW body off the frame as well. :confused:

I was considering hoisting the gutted body (with doors) off the frame and suspending it from the garage rafters, temporarily until I can set it down on some HD saw horses. How much would the gutted body with doors/glass weigh?

[710 Burner]

I don't know how much it weighs, but I have my gutted Chero with frame sitting on cinder blocks and 4x4's.

[newtojeeps]

I would not hang your carcass from the rafters. I would estimate 1200lbs with doors,tail gate, and glass. That is if the seats, rugs, & rubber is removed.

[Greg Taylor]

I would not hang your carcass from the rafters.

Thanks for the weight estimate. Like I said, I was considering it temporarily. I am going to be picking up an engine hoist ... maybe I can get a 2nd one to hold the body up, while the frame is rolled out, then set it down on HD saw horses.

[Greg Taylor]

.... then set it down on HD saw horses.


Just got back from a 145 mile round trip to pick up some really stinking HD saw horses I found on Craigslist this afternoon. $60 for all three and they each weigh 100+ lbs. Seller used them for building BIG trailers. I was only able to fit 2 into my Focus wagon, for $50 ... still a steal, even including the drive time/money.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/amundaza/330%20AMC%20STROKER%20BUILD/330%20AMC%20STROKER%20BUILD%20PT6/steelsawhorses2.jpg http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/amundaza/330%20AMC%20STROKER%20BUILD/330%20AMC%20STROKER%20BUILD%20PT6/steelsawhorses.jpg

[710 Burner]

Yeah, I moved mine on and off a trailer, and I bet its at least 12. It is steel, you know.

[Greg Taylor]

I just extracted the 2 steel saw horses from the back of my Ford Focus. Here is a better pic of them. They should work out GREAT.

They are 60" wide on the top, 30.5" tall and 22" at the base. Everything appears to either 5/16" or 3/8" 2.5" angle iron ... these won't be going anywhere, once the Jeep body is on them.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/amundaza/330%20AMC%20STROKER%20BUILD/330%20AMC%20STROKER%20BUILD%20PT6/100_2416.jpg

[budojeepr]

Sweet! When you're done with the body-off op, stick 'em back in the Focus and pop on over to FarNorCal to help me with mine. :thumbsup:

[Greg Taylor]

Sweet! When you're done with the body-off op, stick 'em back in the Focus and pop on over to FarNorCal to help me with mine. :thumbsup:

Maybe I could just put them in the back of the GW and run that over to FNC! :D

[Greg Taylor]

I went last night and picked up the third HD steel saw horse. Still worth the 140 mile round trip for it and it will save me from having to borrow a 2nd engine hoist/cherry picker to lift the body off the frame.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg116/amundaza/330%20AMC%20STROKER%20BUILD/330%20AMC%20STROKER%20BUILD%20PT6/100_2437.jpg

[chrisnsarah]

Teeth has the right idea on the sawhorse, meaning they are open underneath so you can roll out the chassis without having to move the body around, but I was nervous seeing it on those legs. If they were made out of steel and had padding on the crossmembers, that would be slick.
I also like how he left the doors and fenders on. Keeps everything lined up correctly.
I'm curious to know what spots the factory used for lift points when lowering the body onto the chassis.

[Greg Taylor]

I am going to lift the back up first and set it on a 4x6 supported between two of the HD steel horses, then lift up the front, with the hoist and roll the frame out. Then set the front of the Jeep on 1 steel horse. Next hoist the rear back up again, and set the rear of the Jeep on 1 steel horse. I don't have the front clip on right now.

[mdill]

A bare body shell does not weigh very much, I would guess less than 500lbs (no doors, no interior stuff, no glass) bare shell. Three of us carried around the shell for my 72 Suburban when I went though it 30years ago. (younger, dumber and stronger back them though)
Doors, glass, and upoltsery is most of the weight, get that stuff out and you can move it around pretty easy. I don't think I would try and move a tub with all the stuff in it without the frame under it.


Mike D.

[moondog]

I parted out an 85 GW about 5 years ago and I took everything off/out of it that was bolted on. The shell had one bucket seat and a tailgate left when I took it to the scrap yard. weighed in at exactly 2,000 lbs. It had no glass no dash nothing but body shell.

[seamus]

A bare body shell does not weigh very much, I would guess less than 500lbs (no doors, no interior stuff, no glass) bare shell. Three of us carried around the shell for my 72 Suburban when I went though it 30years ago. (younger, dumber and stronger back them though)
Doors, glass, and upoltsery is most of the weight, get that stuff out and you can move it around pretty easy. I don't think I would try and move a tub with all the stuff in it without the frame under it.


Mike D.

You are on the right track with the weight. My 1980 Cherokee is in the driveway, no interior doors or glass. Nothing really except the brackets that support the steering wheel. Its on jack stands and I can pick up one end while my buddy adjusts the stands.

500-600 would be my guess depending on how much has rusted away!

Keith

[Stupified]

I think the 1200# estimates are closer. Be very careful if you do one end at a time. The body will slide very easy once some of the weight is suspended. I weigh 135# and can push around an unbolted supercab by hand to line up the body mounts. I do this at least once a week... Ford diesel mechanic.

[mdill]

I parted out an 85 GW about 5 years ago and I took everything off/out of it that was bolted on. The shell had one bucket seat and a tailgate left when I took it to the scrap yard. weighed in at exactly 2,000 lbs. It had no glass no dash nothing but body shell.

No axles, no frame, no doors, no engine, no dash no wiring, no fenders, no hood ? (A bare tub does not weigh in at anywhere near 2000 lbs. )