Garage frame off - how hard?

[Impin']

I'm thinking of separating the body from the frame on my '65 Cutlass Holiday coupe. I would do this after I pull the engine and tranny for their rebuild. Does anyone have a list of things to disconnect/remove prior to lifting the body?
I saw someone (maybe on this site) do this with jacks and wood boards. Has anyone ever seen this done?

I basically want to separate the body and frame, pull the frame out so I can clean off all the grime and then replace the bushings.

Am I setting myself up for a nightmare? I'm open to suggestions or links on how to get this done. I'm trying not to pay the body shop for things that can be done with patience and time by me (and friends).

Thanks.

[jensenracing77]

after the front end sheet metal is removed all you have to do is unhook the wire harness from the firewall and the steering column loose from the steering gear box and a couple ground straps around the gas tank and remove the gas tank. take out all the body mount bushings and have 6 guys lift it up while someone else sets up the stand. we used 4 55 gallon drums with a 4X4 wood post from the right side to the left side at both ends of the body. if you did not remove the interior then you will want to use jacks. we did it with 4 guys. after the engine, transmition, front end metal and tank is off there is nothing to it.

[jensenracing77]

you do not have to remove the engine and transmission to do this. if you don't you will have to make sure the transmission linkage is unhooked and other little items. the front end will have to be removed first.

[jensenracing77]

almost forgot. you will have to take the brake lines off the master cylinder.

[MN71W30]

It isn't too bad. We ran a 2X6 across the front of the fire wall and used the fender bolt holes on the firewall to support the board and the cherry picker lifted the front of the body off and a chain hoist from the cieling around the trunk latch support lifted the rear.

[2blu442]

I think you'll have to disconned the emergency brake cable too, but it's not too difficult to pull the body off. One other thing, I like to take lots and lots of digital photos so if at some future time I'm trying to figure out just how that bracket went on I have a reference to check. John

[Willidog]

I did it in my drive way with 2 farm jacks, 2 4X4's and a bunch of cinder blocks. My garage would not support lifting the weight of the body. Need three guys, two to operate the jacks and one to move cinder blocks and be a safety observer.

[jensenracing77]

2blu442 is correct about the digital pictures. it helps alot

[Impin']

Thanks guys. I had it in my head that it shouldn't be too hard, especially since the interior is out and the engine and trans will be out too. You guys gave me the confirmation I needed to keep this project moving forward. Now I just have to convince the wife that it's OK for her to park outside for a little while. The knowledge and "can do" on this site is outstanding.

[Impin']

Oh...and there's plenty of pictures of this dismantling. If not, I'd be screwed when it comes time to reassemble. I can't trust my memory. hahahaha.

[rocwal]

It would be a good idea to take measurements of body on frame at front and rear so as to align it when you set the body back onto the frame. when i did mine i measured out from the frame to the body and made a diagram on paper showing the location and measurements on both sides ,front and back.

rocwal
Dan B

[csstrux]

If you figure out how to get your wife to park outside, let me know how you did it. Part of the deal when we got married was that the garage was MINE. That flew out the door immediately after getting a house that had one, WTF! any way...

[TK-65]

[Impin']

TK-65, Thanks. I love this forum. Everyone has definitely been willing to share and help keep these beauties alive and kickin. Now if I could just get into the garage and get back to work, all would be good with life.