picking 31 roadster body off frame

kurt v

Well-known member
Best way to brace under the body, i can slide some 2x4's under the channels and then cross them side to side and then use my two post lift with the outriggers to lift off frame. Doors are still on the body. Any better ideas ?

thanks kurt
 
A 2-post lift makes a lot of stuff like this easier. There's not much to a roadster body. It might be a little tricky if the sub-frame is rotted but it's still do-able.

I'd use three 4x4s under the body and two 4x4 rails with one on each side under those three rails. Keep the crowns up on all rails. Get your center of gravity right and it should work OK.
 
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Ditto post #2.

Be sure one of the 4x4’s is squarely under the cowl, positioned so that the cowl section is ‘balanced’ on that cross-piece - no tendency to tilt forward or backward. There’s not much holding the cowl section to the subrails.

Good luck !
Jim
 
If you have some U-channel steel or heavy wall square tube, it would work as well as long as it's heavy enough. The roadster bodies don't weigh much if all the interior furnishings are removed and the steering column is out. This is assuming the rear fenders are also removed. It's even lighter if the doors and deck lid are removed.
 
Like on my cabriolet, the only real connection between th cowl & the rest of the body is the subframe, even with the doors still on. I made some stiffening rods to attach to the dash rail (remove the dash) and the rear upper belting of the back 1/2 of the body.
 
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I made some bracing that fits inside the body to stiffen it up. I made it so the doors will close without interference.

I do not have a picture but I clamped the forward end of the side braces to the hinge pillar.

Chris W.
 

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I watched a father and son team remove a 31 roadster body with my 2 post lift.They swung the two front lift arms over the doors,with the ends just behind the windshield posts,inside of the doors.They swung the rear arms over the front corners of the rumble opening,then slung everything up to the lift arms from the subframes.They used a strap to hold the doors together,and drove bondo squeegees in all the gaps.They picked the body off,rolled the chassis ahead,then backed their trailer under the body.They's done this before,and didn't want to damage the paint.They had no interest in the chassis.
 
Best way to brace under the body, i can slide some 2x4's under the channels and then cross them side to side and then use my two post lift with the outriggers to lift off frame. Doors are still on the body. Any better ideas ?

thanks kurt

I took my '28 roadster on and off the frame countless times like the way you described. No issues.
 
Am I the only one that used 4 neighbors?


you must be the friendly sort......... my neighbors can barely walk and same with me.
 
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