Jigs for lifting body off frame

[dkc1657]

I'm looking to make a jig to easily and safely lift the body off a frame without having to calling 20 people.

I'm thinking of building a jig / structure outside of the shop and using some sort of electric winch or chain block to lift the body off the frame. The reason I want the jig outside instead of in the garage is to save room (24x24' garage). So I figure I'll work on the truck inside the shop to seperate the frame and body and roll it outside to the jig to lift the bod+y off.

Ideas and pics?

[Zrock]

i just used a few 2x4 to go from side to side and jacked them up .... moved the frame and then blocked up teh cab

[p14175]

We built a swingset gantry for moving the Willys Wagon body on an off the frame. It uses a 2-ton endless chain hoist.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/87041845/1087265064028352519smGjgU

[yager]

i used my engine crane and some large vehicle rachet straps.. A few test lifts to find the balance point. I moved my tub by myself np...

[Travis Waldher]

i used my engine crane and some large vehicle rachet straps.. A few test lifts to find the balance point. I moved my tub by myself np...

That's the same way I pulled the bed on my fullsize truck. I bet that sucker weighs more than a Jeep tub.

[dkc1657]

i used my engine crane and some large vehicle rachet straps.. A few test lifts to find the balance point. I moved my tub by myself np...

The test lifts is a good tip regarding finding balance points, but this may be a dumb question but how would you use an engine crane / cherry picker to lift a body off a truck? I mean I don't know of any engine hoist that can lift something up that high...

[yager]

with a truck cab id first drop the frame as low as i could, remove tires etc... The COG will likly be 'inside' the cab somewhere, just stay above it and it should flip over on you..

I'd strap it with some slack so the tip was more than 1/2 up.. as viewed from the side. Id guess with the firewall weight and stuff you'd be somewhere above and near the dash... Could always add some balast on the back if needed.. Just a guess of where i'd start.

edit: oh ya take the doors off :flipoff2:

[dkc1657]

with a truck cab id first drop the frame as low as i could, remove tires etc... The COG will likly be 'inside' the cab somewhere, just stay above it and it should flip over on you..

I'd strap it with some slack so the tip was more than 1/2 up.. as viewed from the side. Id guess with the firewall weight and stuff you'd be somewhere above and near the dash... Could always add some balast on the back if needed.. Just a guess of where i'd start.

edit: oh ya take the doors off :flipoff2:

Excellent advice! As for going 1/2 up as viewed from the side you're saying for stability its best to lift it above the center of gravity. Of course! I would have never have thought of that but now that you mention it it makes complete sense...

[Bansil]

We used an engine hoist on several vehicles.Take off extra bolt on crap,doors,hood,fenders etc.

Bolt chain to the seatbelt mounts and up you go.Use a bolt thru the chain to make a loop for hook.Move "loop" to find balance point.

Lift up body,we're redneck:D so we use 4 55 gallon barrels,with 4x6's between(ontop) the barrels.Set body back down.Remove hoist,and just roll the frame out from under it.



http://www.berisford.net/uploads/Bansil/bodyoff.jpg



only bad thing is I didn't take into acount the new axles/tire combo will be 2ft wider than stock,so we'll have to move the barrels out to roll new frame underneath.Live and learn.

[Peter_C]

I simply slide my body on and off by myself. Helps that it is a light weight Willys. A couple of 2X4's and it will slide right off the frame and back on again. I stand the body up on the tailgate to store it.

[ironpig70]

i used a john deere 310c to pick up and move my body:D but an engine hoist or a trooley crane sounds like another good way to go

[Old Scout]

Find the center of gravity and lift away. A forklift makes it easy:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/uploads/tubon001.jpg

[AIRZUKI]

We've got two Vermette lifts that work very well for lifting body tubs

super freakin handy all round in the shop

here's a pic
ttp://www.lkgoodwin.com/more_info/520a_multi_purpose_lifts/images/520a_lift.gif (http://www.lkgoodwin.com/more_info/520a_multi_purpose_lifts/images/520a_lift.gif)http://www.industrialladder.com/db_images/thumb/512A.jpg

[PAToyota]

Mine:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=187032&d=1115771257