Body off - Chassis Renovation

[Griffalow]

Hi - I am seeking assistance - any one in Sussex (I am Haywards Heath) who has done a body off on a Griff

I want to do it this winter however I need advice as I have no electric lift.

Mechanically I taken a smashed .Caterham 7 and bought a new chassis and rebuilt it however I am the first to admit it was a big mechano set

Appreciate any help - thanks Miles

[Griffalow]

I should point out I have two spacious, warm modern Barns to work in with heating and beer fridge

[dnb]

I didn't use any form of electric/hydraulic lift when I took the body off mine. Assuming you have someone who you can pressgang into assisting, it's not all that difficult.

Disconnect everything (including exhaust manifolds if the engine is to be left in) and unbolt the body then there should be sufficient room to get a 2m length of 4x3" wood through each wheel arch. These can be used to jack the body up and stand it on some height adjustable trestles.

I have some old photos that explain this far better than my words, but they are currently missing. I will dig them out.

[Griffalow]

Hi DnB - I would be very interested on any photographs - thanks for the reply

[Hedgehopper]

These might help you......

http://www.brookbanks.net/

http://autogasp.com/documents/TVRChimaeraBodyLiftC...

[tom's dad]

Have my photos to hand.


Hope they are of use.

[tom's dad]

[Griffalow]

Hedgehopper and Tom's Dad - appreciate the links and photos - does not seem quite so intimidating - know have ideas how to lift and store the body

[Pete Mac]

Miles, I took my body off with a lift but then needed to move the body off the lift to the other bay. I assumed that four burly lads (two are builders...!) would be able to move it, one under each wheel arch but we really struggled, the body is firkin heavy. Unless you are all 20 stone weightlifters then I think you need a minimum of 6 to 8 strong lads.

The following picture is an interim rest:



One thought, would you consider hiring a tripod and chain hoist and lifting the body, with a strap under each wheel arch. You could even build a scaffold to hang the chain hoist on.

Not sure when you are planning this but I am not that far away (Pangbourne, west of Reading) if you need another pair of hands and I am in the country.

All the best.

Pete

[Griffalow]

Hi Peter - thanks for the reply - I was thinking along the block and tackle route already - I knew it was heavy but now you say you struggled with four people I will defiantly have a solution in place - I was going to build a wooden dolly for the chassis to sit on and move in to the next barn, driveway is Tarmac and level, so nice and easy - I would like to take you up on your offer the day I lift more for your experience - if you are in the country

[Pete Mac]

Miles, I'm back in the UK mid July, I'm not sure how desperate you are to start the project.

The other option is you whip the whole car up to me, stick it on the 2 post lift (very useful for detaching all those underbody bits and pieces - exhaust, pipes, etc) and once you've lifted the body you trailer the chassis and body away - it's an option....! Providing not too many of the chassis bolts are rusted into the chassis then it shouldn't take more thn a day or so.

Pete

[Griffalow]

hi Peter - really very kind of you - really appreciate the offer and would like to take you up on your offer however I was thinking of starting in October / November time - appreciate you work away - I can get most of the donkey work done first - a lift of the body sounds good - can then put body on make shift dolly

[Pete Mac]

Griffalow said:

hi Peter - really very kind of you - really appreciate the offer and would like to take you up on your offer however I was thinking of starting in October / November time - appreciate you work away - I can get most of the donkey work done first - a lift of the body sounds good - can then put body on make shift dolly

Miles, I work 4 weeks on and 4 weeks off in Kazakhstan. E-mail and we can set up some tentative dates if you want. October/November are a lot better for me. Pete