Taking the body off of 36 Delux Fordor
 

I will be returning to NC in October and will have about a week to work on my car which is stored there. I want to get the body off the frame during that trip. Do you know of a video that would help me in the process? Maybe suggestions as to how to go about it?

I'm taking the doors off or at least trying to, they are a real pain. All glass and interior is out. What more can I do to make it go quickly?

Re: Taking the body off of 36 Delux Fordor
 

make or purchase a body dolly. we use an engine hoist on one end and at least two floor jacks on the rear end, or if your garage will stand it, attach it to the roof rafters and use a chain fall or two. you spread the load using a cross bar to go over the rafters

Re: Taking the body off of 36 Delux Fordor
 

Grandpa put a lift eye on the garage door header and dropped a come-a-long thru the opening below the open door. Hooked it up to the cowl and along with a cherry picker on the rear pan lifted the body. Rolled the chassis out and rolled a dolly back under his '37 4dr body.

Re: Taking the body off of 36 Delux Fordor
 

When I removed/replaced the body on my '40 I used two come-a-longs hung from the rafters in the garage. For the front I built a spreader bar that attached to the hood hinge mount holes in the cowl and at the back I simply ran the hoist cable through the rear window opening and around a 2X4 placed crossways below the package tray area. I left the doors on and it worked well for me; did the job by myself.

Re: Taking the body off of 36 Delux Fordor
 

I would think that you would leave the doors on to prevent body twist.

Re: Taking the body off of 36 Delux Fordor
 

I would leave the doors in it, closed tight to help keep the body from twisting. I welded braces inside mine after I got the gaps close. I also jacked the car up by the frame and axles as high as I could, then supported the body and dropped the frame out from under it. It was easier for me than lifting the body in a low headroom building. I am working on the body in place. If you have to move yours, this may not be the way for you to do it.....Mark

Re: Taking the body off of 36 Delux Fordor
 

I've never had a closed body style twist and have yet to support the body in any fashion when removing. Doors have always been off prior.

I have simply lifted the body off manually. Still do. When younger, me and one other guy. Now it takes three other guys :) Bodies must have become heavier huh?

Re: Taking the body off of 36 Delux Fordor
 

Thanks for all the help. I won't be going to NC until October but I'm trying to get ready all I can to redeem the time while there. I have a large hydraulic motor lifter and plenty of help so that shouldn't be a problem. I think I will build a dolly on wheels to sit the body on so I can move it around. My goal this trip is to get the body off and the frame to the Powder Coater. I will bring the front end parts back to Florida with me to restore over the winter and have them ready to re-install come spring. Sounds like a plan, now to see what I can actually get done. Life tends to spoil the best made plans!

Re: Taking the body off of 36 Delux Fordor
 

Here is the dolly that I made when I did my 36. It worked out really well.
Ed

Re: Taking the body off of 36 Delux Fordor
 

Looks just like mine. What color did you paint the body?

Re: Taking the body off of 36 Delux Fordor
 

Here is mine. Ed

Re: Taking the body off of 36 Delux Fordor
 

when Ford assembled these cars they had the doosr in place. Used a large arm that extended thru the window openings and set the body on the frame

Re: Taking the body off of 36 Delux Fordor
 

The gent I bought my 36 from put a large eye bolt thru the front of the firewall and two more in the back where the bumper bolts to the frame, then either use come a long to a rafter or like I have several times use a cherry picker (engine hoist) works great esp w/1 person.https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1819/...a1996c60_c.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1854/...f249d3fc_c.jpg

Re: Taking the body off of 36 Delux Fordor
 

With the floor, firewall, and sills all intact and not falling apart Kube's spot on.
Take the doors off to reduce weight. 2 8ft 4x4's crosswise worked about 2 foot from each end and someone husky on each end... lift and carry.


If the floor, firewall or sills are missing or falling apart then weld cross bracing to keep things square.


The door latch on a closed car is not a positive latch so does little to keep things together. Roadsters and 1937-40 convertibles had a positive latch so the doors will help support the body. Cabriolets 1932-36 need a tie bar installed across the top of the door opening.

Re: Taking the body off of 36 Delux Fordor
 

Well after two or three times longer than I figured I now have the body off. I didn’t get the frame out soon enough to take it to the sand blaster so I buttoned my shop up for the winter and came back to Florida and work. My wife and I are making plans to move to NC next year so at least I will be close to my garage.

I will say that my only previous experience of restoring a car was with a Model A and I can tell you that there is no comparison with number of body bolts and weight. It was quite a job for a 61 year old softy.