Discussion
Hi guys had a very good day today finally managed to lift the body off using six no supports, front and rear, and 2 on each side. I jacked the whole car as high as i could safely get it, placed the supports underneath the body,and slowly lowered the chassis down to the floor [see 1st pic] The next step was to build the cuplock scaffold frame around the car,and using wooden supports to span across the scaffold, lift the body high enough using the threaded supports of the scaffold to slowly raise the body to the required height. Sorry if this sounds a bit complicated but it was fairly easy [2nd pic shows the scaff frame] Once the chassis was rolled out from under the car the body was relowered back onto the 6 no supports where it will now no doubt stay for some considerable time. Will post my chassis resto progress at later dates. The scaff frame i made to suit, and once i have finished with it will be available to fellow tvr owners to borrow free of charge,Tom 
Hi again thought it was about time for an update. I have managed to totally strip the chassis which was far from easy as everything was seized solid. The outriggers were intact with only one or two holes but plenty of rust all round. For a twelve year old car with full history it was quite scary to see the state of the chassis and some of the wishbones. The two front lower had both serious corrosion, not noticable at first but once inspected closely off the car they are fit only for scrap. Also the drivers side upper has some corrosion so ill renew this one as well. All the others were in very good condition due i think to them being very well waxoiled. I started to fab and predrill all new mounting plates,[see pics] and having purchased some seamless tube of the correct dia, i have now left the cutting/reweld of the new tubing to a local engineering firm. Once this is complete i will post pics and cost details as a reference for anyone else. The next step after welding is shot/bead blast and primer. I had thought about getting it repowder coated but epoxy primer and two pack is the way im going. Again costing etc will be posted. Im not obsessed with how much will it cost, but i have found when you mention "Im restoring a tvr" the price seems to esculate so any pointers i can give to anyone else i will. Will update again in the new year, Tom
Body off jobs, engine rebuilds and many other things concerning cars no problem, digital cameras, computers etc a different story. Chris i have all on to get the camera to take pics, uploading them onto the forums i have not got a clue, thats where george my youngest son comes in very handy. 
Hi Kenny bought the car in sept 08 and for the right price but had fully intended to do a full body off no matter what. I knew what i was buying i am just trying to point others in the right direction concerning the possible state of a chassis on what otherwise looks a fantastic car. My car from underneath just using axle stands[which is the best most would be buyers would have] looked ok, i poked with the screwdriver etc and could not put it thru anywhere, its only when you remove the body that the real state of the chassis becomes obvious. As for the wishbones im being a bit particular but thats because i intend to use poly bushes, and any weakness in the wishbones using these could prove disastrous, plus for my sins i must be one of those sad TVR nutters who loves having the car in millions of bits[well during the winter i do] thanks Tom. 
Hi steve the 2no bolts are on top of the transmission tunnel approx level with the bottom of your dash. If you carefully peel the carpet from the top of either side of the transmission tunnel you should just about see them. Why do you want to remove the petrol filler cap? There are some bolts behind the petrol tank, but you dont have to remove the filler cap to get this out, hope this helps,Tom.
Hi guys the latest update. Ive had the chassis and wishbones etc grit/bead blasted and primed with zinc phosphate 2 pack epoxy primer. I am now going to give everything plenty more coats of primer and finish with 2 coats of gloss enamel. Wil post more pics of the finished chassis [and the bit im looking forward to] the rebuild at a later date. Tom.
Hi guys just a quick update. The chim is finally back together as one, i managed friday pm to roll the chassis back under and lower the body back on. A little bit fiddly but not to bad at all. She looks like a car again, i will post some pics tomorrow sat am. Now i have finished with it ,i have a scaffold system that fits around the car, with six threaded points to wind up and lift the body, and some home made special supports that sit between the chassis to support the body as you lower the chassis down. This is available on a free loan basis to any TVR owner out there who wants to do there own bodylift. All i ask is you take good care of it, and when finished loan it on again, but keep me informed, with my track record i may need it again myself in a few years, so i need to know where it is. If anyone is genuinely interested in borrowing it, you will have to collect from warrington, cheshire. email me to arrange, Tom.
looks really nice,but......................where can i purchase a set of those cool rocker covers 
roysum said:
Yep that does look good, well done! Have you strengthened those rear arb plates yet? Another thing worth mentioning is your rear toe-in adjusters looks like they have been painted, of course you may have taped them first. Bit of a bugger at the best of times to adjust.
Nice effort 9/10 !!
Posted the question concerning the rear arb plates and was told they dont need strengthening. I can always do them at a later date if the originals fail. You are right about the rear toe adjusters, i had painted them in, and when i tried to adjust they were seized solid. Six hours later both rear wishbones removed and new adjusters fitted, all ready now for the big geometry alignment when finished.Nice effort 9/10 !!
Robrine said:
Looking good Tom! Are we nearly ready for a run out then?
Have you done the exhaust mod yet?, would love to hear it sans pre cats and with a straight through bolted on
If you need a hand with anything, give me a shout and I'll pop over
Ithink early next spring is a realistic date for a FIRST blast, and thanks for the offer of help, i may just take you up on that in the futureHave you done the exhaust mod yet?, would love to hear it sans pre cats and with a straight through bolted on
If you need a hand with anything, give me a shout and I'll pop over
Pics as promised. Envious of all you guys out there what a glorious day for a blast with the roof down. Anyone driving out and about today near stockton heath ,warrington [WA4 6PE] Call in and say hello. [Its a quiet road and i just want the neighbours to get used to the distinct sound of a TVR exhaust, ready for me next year 
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