setting a Model A body off the frame

[Jackie Brown]

Fellers, this might seem like a foolish question but humor me for a minute. LOL Can four reasonably strong men lift a Model a coupe body off the frame? I don't want to start something we can't finish with four people and that's all I have.

[Steve Plucker]

Originally Posted by Jackie Brown

Fellers, this might seem like a foolish question but humor me for a minute. LOL Can four reasonably strong men lift a Model a coupe body off the frame? I don't want to start something we can't finish with four people and that's all I have.

Most deffintatly...yes.

Just make sure whatever you use is strong enough to hold the body...no rotten wood!

Also have a plan on just where you are going to set it after you lift it up and off!

Pluck

[Jackie Brown]

Thanks Pluck,
I always try to plan ahead and just didn't want to start a body move and not be able to finish it. Gonna round up some neighborhood friends and go at it.
jackie

[Fred K-OR]

I built a frame out of 2 x 6 about the size (rectangle) of the body. Got some 4 cheap casters from HF and set the body on this. You can then move the body anywhere you want it.

[2manycars]

I got the back half of a frame that someone cut the front off for a motor stand, and I added 10" casters. It fits the body perfectly and is about the right height to work on the body.

[Richard Wilson]

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I have R&Red several Model A bodies, early V-8's and even a large Hudson body by myself using 2X12X12 boards and saw horses. Four guys should make body removal a very simple task. Just have a plan before you pick it up.

[Mitch//pa]

Pick it up and have someone push (roll)the chassis out from under it

[Jackie Brown]

Mitch, that's a good idea. It'll be easier than lifting it over the chassis. Thanks.
Jackie

[kenparker]

just make sure the four lifting guys are not the "skinny kenny" type.

[Barry B./ Ma.]

Originally Posted by 2manycars

I got the back half of a frame that someone cut the front off for a motor stand, and I added 10" casters. It fits the body perfectly and is about the right height to work on the body.

Maybe I got the front half, it makes a nice motor stand and I put it on a wood frame and casters..

[luckyal]

This would be a good one to have a picture of afterwards. Four of my friends did it for me on a roadster but unfortunately I did not photograph it and I truly wish I had.
Al

[lance leblanc]

I lifted my body off by myself using three bottle jacks and cinder blocks, four pipe roller horses, and two 4X4's.
Working in tight quarters, I store the chassis under the body when I'm not working on either.

[Elcastor]

Just remember to take the steering column off first, or be prepared to lift it over the steeling column. To a lesser extent this applies to the gear shift also. You need the ceiling height to lift the body high enough.

[Jackie Brown]

I took the steering out and the shifter also. I knew we couldn't work it out over them. I just want this to go as smooth as possible. LOL

[BashawT]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

Pick it up and have someone push (roll)the chassis out from under it

I used my cherry picker and rigged it up to lift the rear of the body up. I used a 4x4 I think across the back with some straps. Then we put a 4x4 across the front and a buddy and I lifted it up and pops wheeled the chassis out of the garage. Worked smooth!

[desotoguy]

You may want to consider removing the wheels and setting the hubs down on some of those steel wheel dollies so the lift doesn't need to be as high. Also makes moving the chassis around the shop much easier. Using an engine hoist at the front and blocking at the rear the chassis can be wheeled out to one side. Be sure the "friends" can handle the load, last thing you want to hear, it's to heavy and I am loosing my grip.

[Farrell In Vancouver]

You can do it yourself with a couple straps and a cherry picker through a doorway.

[Mike V. Florida]

4 people 2 2x4

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

4 people 2 2x4

lots of flex in that 2x4. i prefer a 2x10

[kwisor]

i bought a ele wench from harber fright and used a 2x6 through the frt windows and lifed it with help of my 13 year old son and nefew no problem i had removed the shifter and steering colum
kevin
1930 model a tudor
1923 model t roadster p/u

[Rowdy]

Be sure to put a rag over the open transmission when you take the shifter tower off. Also if you can get the brake and clutch pedals off that helps a bunch also. The first model a body I took off I did by myself when I was about 14. I used a couple of 2X6's and 4 55 gal drums and rolled it off of the side. It had no tires on the rims and worked out to be a good working height, but still had to muscle it over the right rear rim. Rod

[28ACoupe]

I have done it by myself with two saw horses and two 4x4's. Not hard. Just think carefully about what you are doing and use leverage to your advantage.

[Mikeinnj]

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

4 people 2 2x4

That looks very dangerous. Look at the flex on the front 2x4......all it takes is a
"pop" and down it come.

[Cliff Ramsdell]

I used my engine hoist the first two times. A bit of a pain since you had to roll it out away from the frame because of the hoist legs, with the body hanging from it.

Then my wife got me a 1000 lb electric hoist. I mounted it to the ceiling joists of the garage and added some bracing to the roof rafters. It works great.

I can hook and lift the body by myself (or with my favorite helper, my grandson) and roll the chassis out. This is a great setup if you know that it's going on and off the car quite a few times.

Cliff Ramsdell

[Fred K-OR]

Here is another way of doing it. Use a engine hoist as Cliff mentioned and borrowed my neighbor's lifting rig. Made some "hooks" for front and back. One shows being used with the engine hoist. The hooks were welded from angle iron. BTW you do not need to dog to help!

[Brentwood Bob]

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Looks like the dog is waiting for critters hiding under the huckster bed.
The engine hoist, saw horses, planning, and some planking can make this a one guy thing. Absolutely never get under it. Bob