Body lift - How high?

[Tanguero]

Time has come to sort out my chassis properly, so I intend to lift the body, strip the chassis - repair the outriggers (and add proper seat supports) have it grit blasted, hot zinc sprayed and powder coated.

I am currently at the planning stage and hope to make a start in the next few weeks. In order to help me decide how to support the body, can anyone who has done a body lift tell me approximately how high the body has to be for me to be able to pull the chassis out from under it?

[dbv8]

Obviously the higher the better for as much access to work but just enough to clear the chassis or highest engine parts still left there will be sufficient.

I raised my body using 2 chainblocks in a modest size single garage.

[scotty_d]

Hi Derek out of interest what kind of weight is in the body? and what are your roof truss's like that the chain blocks are attached too? (Just for further down the line when the time comes )

[dbv8]

scotty_d said:

Hi Derek out of interest what kind of weight is in the body? and what are your roof truss's like that the chain blocks are attached too? (Just for further down the line when the time comes )

I was told about 300kg.
The chainblocks hung off eye bolts through truss's that were only about 2x4 IIRC.
There was no groaning or signs of movement and the body was hanging for the mostpart over 15 months, up and down numerous times.

[plasticman]

I have done many chassis swaps and normally sit the bodyshell on wood or steel beams on top of oil drums . It has to be high enough for the top of the engine to clear the bottom of the bodyshell where the radiator sits and where the rear wheels clear the sills (if you are going to roll it out that way)

[Tanguero]

Thanks guys, I realise that the body has to be high enough to clear the chassis/engine. I just wondered if anyone knew off hand how high that is.

Plasticman, how do you lift the body up onto those drums? Manpower or a hoist?

[plasticman]

Usually just a single trolley jack .

[Tanguero]

And I thought my trolley jack was high lift!!!!

[plasticman]

Normal jack but I go round the car doing a small bit at a time and using lumps of wood on the jack as it goes higher .

[Tanguero]

Thanks - that's very useful to know! Are there any places on the body that I shouldn't jack or is it just common sense?

[Mad Mark]

Peter it would be good if you could do some sort of guide to the body lift.I would be interested to see exactly whats involved.
I know many have already posted pics of their lifts. But more of a how to guide would be good.

[Tanguero]

I had vague notions of putting my track camera on wide angle and time-lapse to do a video of the whole job. So yes, a guide is certainly feasible.

Given that I am sending the chassis away for zinc spraying and powder coating which means that the engine is coming out anyhow. does anyone have a view on whether to take it out before the body lift or after? Gut instinct says before, but it is only a guess. Opinions anyone please?

[dbv8]

Easier after.
All the access you need once the body is lifted

[Tanguero]

Thanks! I suppose it only affects the height that the body has to be lifted. Which brings me back to my original question...