32 body removal

G

gwmartin55

Member
Plan to remove body off of frame on 32 5 window coupe. How much bracing, and where should I put in before lifting? Best lifting points? Doors are removed, just a shell, no windows or trim. Lift under body or using filled roof to lift OK?
 
Is the original floor intact? If so and unless there has been serious loss of the body sills from corrosion, bracing would not normally be required. Nothing wrong with erring on the side of caution, however.
 
If the floor and body structure is intact, bracing (As Dave noted) is optional.


Best way to lift is to insert crosswise a 6 foot long 4 x 4 under the hinge post and another under the middle of the wheelwell. Then 4 fit people can easily lift and remove the body.


Next best is if you happen to have a forklift with 6' forks, simply come in from the back and block the body to avoid damaging the under seat pan.


Lifting with straps has the risk of putting horizontal pressure on the top of the body that it was never designed to do. The center of mass of the body will be the latch post or slightly behind it so you will need to strap through the quarter window and that will be taking most of the weight. Do not even think of using chain.
 
First time we removed my 3w body we put a 4x4 beam across the body under the cowl brackets attached a rope at the center and brought it up n out through the cowl vent opening. in the back we put eye hooks in the upper deck lid bumper holes. Jacked the whole car up, attached the ropes to the garage rafters then lowered the chassis and pulled it away. Took less than an hour, never broke a sweat. Later we did have some trouble lowering the body. We had to support it while we put pulleys in place.
 
I removed the body from my 32 coupe years ago with the doors still attached. The floor was solid so I didn't use any bracing. Ah, to be young in my 20s again, strong and agile....
 

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I loved the old Ford archive photos & films showing the padded hook set ups that they used to move the bodies to the body drop stations. Four guys with good backs can do it pretty easily. A guy by himself needs a hoist with an H-frame set up to catch the four corners evenly.
 
I plan to use my two post lift for the heavy lifting off of the chassis. Lift and just roll chassis out from it. Was unsure best place to lift. Is a normal sized pallet with good wheels big enough?
 
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