Pulling the body on a shoebox woddy

[30aadoodlebug]

Hey All,

So I recently got the restoration of my 1950 Country squire underway, and I'm at the point where its time to pull the body. I was planning on making a jig out of of a bunch of two by eights to support the body without warping, and lift it with my chain fall.

Have any of you done this before? Im just a little gun-shy of making the first crank with the chain fall.

Thanks in advance,

Jon

[flatford8]

I dropped the frame out from under my ‘51. (Not a woody). I had it up high on jack stands, supported the body and let the frame down. I am able to work on the body where it is. I don’t know if that’s your situation. For me, it was easier....... Mark

[19Fordy]

If you're going to be working on the body you don't want it to be under stress. Do as flatford8 suggests. Jack body up a little at a time and rest it on jack stands or saw horses, not cement blocks.

[30aadoodlebug]

Thanks guys! the body is getting lowered on a flatbed to be brought to my shop where I'm doing the work. I will be resting the body on a few 2X12 rafters for a few days before I can transport it. I am fortunate enough to have a barn that can accommodate all of this.

[flatford8]

I needed to work on my body where it was and the frame got wheeled to another building at my house for paint. I think woodies are some of the prettiest cars and trucks built. Have you seen the thread by GBSISSON? He’s building one from scratch. A lot of craftsmanship in his truck. Good luck on your project and take lots of picks........Mark

[PeteVS]

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Here's food for thought. I built a "frame" of vertical 2x8's that are cross braced at the top and tied into the roof rafters above. There's a length of 2" pipe through holes on each side with 5/16" cable clamped on with muffler clamps and then hooked into the rocker area. (You might want to run the cables under the body side to side.) 30" long 1/2" pipe "vice" handles (two on each side) are used to winch the body up. Yes, I know it's not a Ford but I call it my four window coupe.

[tubman]

Originally Posted by PeteVS

Yes, I know it's not a Ford but I call it my four window coupe.

Must be a '64 or later; A '63 would be a "five window coupe".

[PeteVS]

Originally Posted by tubman

Must be a '64 or later; A '63 would be a "five window coupe".

One window in each door, two in the back. No quarter windows. Windshields don't count.

[A bones]

Originally Posted by 30aadoodlebug

Hey All,

Have any of you done this before? Im just a little gun-shy of making the first crank with the chain fall.
Thanks in advance,
Jon

Sounds like fun ( haven't done one, but in dreams ). I did however lots of flatbed-hauling heavy equipment and material. One valuable lesson I learned is to step away at each level of progress, sit if you can, think about what and how to make your next move when you can visualize the results and/or problems proceed with knowledge and caution. Good Luck