Body removal-install 2 men

[fourbangerbob]

How do you guys remove-install a model A tub with 2 men? Trying to get 4-6 guys together at the same time is near impossible or too expensive----beer is not cheap anymore!!!

[Mike V. Florida]

Winch. You can use an engine lift modified to lift the body using boards in the windows.

[jeep44]

I've used my engine hoist to pull a number of different bodies off their frames over the years-I've used it to pull a '46 Jeep tub, a '41 Dodge pickup cab, my huckster body-sometimes it takes some creative rigging to get the job done, but I always was able to manage with just the hoist and myself. Since a couple of weeks ago, I now have a new John Deere tractor with a front end loader-this would probably do a great job with these bodies,too.

[Vin-tin]

I used 4 ratchet straps and no help at all.

[art ebeling]

I slid two 10ft 2x4s left to right between the body and frame on my Victoria and then went around lifting each end of the 2x4s enough to set them on a sawhorse and rolled the chassis out from under the body. I had to put a floorjack under the rear end and remove the rear wheels to lower the rear of the chassis enough to clear the rear crossmember. I then rolled my dolly under the body and set the body down on the dolly. I did this with the help from a buddy who is 85.

[Big hammer]

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A little more info would help(body type) On my Tudor, I when through the door window with a 2x6, and through the quarter window with 2x6. I made a frame of metal to attach to the 2x6's. A lifting eye bolt in the middle of the square 2x2 metal frame is where I attached to chain falls. For me I found lifting under the body was very unstabil, I almost lost the body!!
I have seen picture back in the day where they lifted though the door windows with one 4x4
and two chain falls

[jeep44]

If you happen to use an engine hoist, use ratchet straps to lift the body- you can tighten each one up selectively to keep the body level.

[wrndln]

Bob,
Four old men, including myself, lifted my special coupe body onto the chassis. The coupe had the doors with glass and upholstery on them, the top and the finished (painted) body which as fairly heavy. One of the fellows said we didn't need to remove the doors, which would have been easy, as the hinge pins were loose. In hindsight, it would have lightened the body a fair amount and I wish we had removed the doors, as it would have made the lifting much easier for us old codgers. A coupe body with most everything on it is much heavier than the roadster body you have. Four people could easily remove or place a roadster body on a chassis. I think 4 people works best if you don't want to damage anything. I can help you if you need more people.
Rusty Nelson

[Slowplane]

Originally Posted by art ebeling

I slid two 10ft 2x4s left to right between the body and frame on my Victoria and then went around lifting each end of the 2x4s enough to set them on a sawhorse and rolled the chassis out from under the body. I had to put a floorjack under the rear end and remove the rear wheels to lower the rear of the chassis enough to clear the rear crossmember. I then rolled my dolly under the body and set the body down on the dolly. I did this with the help from a buddy who is 85.

I lifted the wagon body from the chassis of my car in the same manner. I didn't have a helper, and I used 2x6's. I built a small dolly of 4x4's and HF wheels to roll it around the shop. Take your time, plan ahead.

[Mitch//pa]

I cheated..

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by art ebeling

I slid two 10ft 2x4s left to right between the body and frame on my Victoria and then went around lifting each end of the 2x4s enough to set them on a sawhorse and rolled the chassis out from under the body. I had to put a floorjack under the rear end and remove the rear wheels to lower the rear of the chassis enough to clear the rear crossmember. I then rolled my dolly under the body and set the body down on the dolly. I did this with the help from a buddy who is 85.

I'd say you got lucky. A body supported by two 2 x 4's layed flat and 10 feet long is quite a load for that span. When I went to install the cab on the 1930 AA truck we used 2 x 4's. One of them had a knot, and it cracked, so we then used 2 x 6's.

I agree with Rusty, if you're using man power instead of a lift, then it's best to have 4 people.

[Bob/Kansas City]

Not sure what body style you're working with but here's how I did my roadster.. No help needed ! Easy as can be....

[Tiny]

Just pulled my buddies 30 sport coupe just the two of us the other day. Really not as heavy as your thinking probably. Just move one end at a time, move the rear of the body over then the firewall.

[Big hammer]

A friend of mine assembled a motor in his basement and could not get it out by him self !
He has sitting out side when school let out, a group of teenage boys walk by. He cald to them and then said never mind you boys are strong enough. A few minutes later the motor was out of his basement and in the garage ! There is more than one way to skin a cat !

[California Travieso]

Originally Posted by Bob/Kansas City

Not sure what body style you're working with but here's how I did my roadster.. No help needed ! Easy as can be....

Bob,

I have a '30 roadster too. Is that a one ton or two ton hoist? I have to buy an engine hoist and I also need to take the body off. I'd like buy a one ton hoist if I can get away with it.

David

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by California Travieso

Bob,

I have a '30 roadster too. Is that a one ton or two ton hoist? I have to buy an engine hoist and I also need to take the body off. I'd like buy a one ton hoist if I can get away with it.

David

That looks like the one I have. Mine is rated at 2-Tons, but that is with the arm at it's shortest setting. The instructions say:

Always position boom extension at correct location for the load you are lifting; 1/2 Ton, 1 Ton, 1-1/2 Ton or 2 Ton.

[daveymc29]

Cinderblocks scare me. I use wooden cribbing.

[MoJo's A]

I did it this way.
Just have to keep moving the straps to get the balancing point.

Then I made a rolling cart for the body

[Jim Mason]

I lift a corner, scotch block it and go to the next corner. once I can get a 4x4 under it, I lift an end of a 4x4 a put saw horse under it. Then roll the chassis out.

[California Travieso]

Originally Posted by CarlG

That looks like the one I have. Mine is rated at 2-Tons, but that is with the arm at it's shortest setting. The instructions say:

[/FONT]

Thanks Carl. I guess I'll see if my two sons-in-law will cooperate, otherwise, I'll have to get the 2 ton lift.

David