1952 Ford Customline 4dr Weight?

[DougE]

Can anyone tell me what the weight of the bare body is? Just the body shell - no doors, windows or trunk lid.

[flatford8]

Welcome to the Barn. The closest I can come is my ‘50 Fordor weighs 3300# altogether. I’m sure you have a reason to know the weight but, I don’t know why anyone would go to the trouble of weighing just the body.......Mark

[WABOOM]

Can't help with the weight of body only. But I did drive my 51 Mercury Sedan onto the scale at the the recycling center. 3760 lb curb weight.

[DougE]

I just dragged this guy out of the bush and want to separate the body and frame for complete media blasting and painting. The hoists in my shed can lift 600 lbs or so. I would like to put the basic body on a rotisserie. So can I lift it or do I need to jack it up in order to roll the frame and drivetrain out from under it?

[flatford8]

I’m working on a ‘51 Tudor and that’s how I did it. Jacked it up by the frame and supported the body, then lowered the frame out from under it. But I worked on the body where it was. I didn’t move it again. You say “hoists”.... do you have two that take 600# a piece?...I would think would lift it fine as long as you have it gutted and the doors off...... Mark

[DougE]

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My shed has beams about 5' on center and a Structural Engr friend agreed that I could put 600# to any one beam (I'm a Mechanical Engr). I have several 2" pipes clamped to the beams for hoist attachment points. Thus far I have only loaded the structure up with a Jeep drive train, supported at two points, 650#. I do have a load scale that I can see what my lift weighs and I have a 4x4 set up to use as a temporary additional support. (You guys with carports in snow country know about this enhancement).

[DougE]

Here's my structure so you'll know what I'm working with.

[40 Deluxe]

Originally Posted by DougE

Here's my structure so you'll know what I'm working with.

I would add some diagonal bracing from the top side beams where your hoists are, down to the base of the legs. And an 'X' brace on the ends (removeable) to prevent the whole thing from collapsing if the body swings a little. (But then, I'm not an engineer.)

[JSeery]

I wouldn't think that is near strong enough for the later 4dr body. At least not something I would attempt (and I am an engineer). If you do want to attempt it, I would at least run the numbers. This is assuming the body is WELL over 600 lbs, which may or may not be a correct assumption!

[flatford8]

I’m no engineer either and if I had to lift the body I would use two engine hoists. I would be afraid of that whole structure toppling over. You’ve got chain falls and two electric hoists, right?.... How much have you lifted with those?....Mark