Getting Started: Removing Body From Chassis

After I had stripped and primed the front half of the car, the next step was to remove the body from the old chassis and mount the body on the new one. Before removing the body, I welded in cross-braces at the A and B pillar using 5/8 inch square tubing.

I have a lift in my garage, so I built a frame around the lift out of 4 X 4s, removed the body bolts, raised the lift, inserted 4 X 4s through the quarter window and door openings and then lowered the lift, separating the body from the chassis. Once the body was off the chassis, I placed 4 X 4s under the body to take the weight off of the quarter windows and doorjambs.

I’m guessing the body weighs about 500 lbs and the center of gravity is right at the front of the quarter windows.

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