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How to handle a bare chassis?

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LanceLyon

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Hi everyone, haven't posted in a while. I've been completely stripping down my BJ7 project to get it to where I can media blast the chasis in preparation for the frame and chassis restoration.

I'm in a little bit of a quandry: the last things to be removed are the axels and suspension, but if I remove these how do I move the chassis around? I'm immagining something like saw-horses with wheels on them, but I thought I would check with everyone's collective experience on this one!

Any suggestions?

Thanks!
 
I had my BJ8 media blasted back in June. It had to be a rolling chassis so the shop could move it in and out.
As a bonus, they blasted the wire wheels, no charge.

Frank
 
My brother picked up one end and I picked up the other end. Walked it outside and blasted it it and carried it back into the shop. I made 2 sawhorses out of angle iron and painted it on them. After everything was dry I reinstalled the suspension and put it on jackstands. Skip
 
The answer to your question depends in part on what you need to do to the chassis. If it needs work, like replacing sills, outriggers, etc., then I highly recommend a rotisserie. That also helps a great deal if you intend to do the painting yourself. If not, then some homemade sawhorses should work just fine.

I'm restoring my BJ8, and have to do a lot of metal work and replacement on the chassis. To help, I built a rotisserie from two Northern Tool engine stands and some scrap metal from the local salvage yard. Total investment was less than $100. The ability to spin that chassis around for favorable work angles and heights is invaluable. Also, since the rotisserie is on wheels, it's easy to just wheel it outside for the really messy work, like grinding off crossmembers. Good luck.
 
The rotisserie sounds like a great idea, but I'm at a loss to imagine how you have attached it to the chassis. By any chance can you either post a photo of the arrangement or e-mail it to me? I wasn't sure that I would be able to lift the chassis without the running gear on it, but if Skip says that it's light enough for two to handle, that's good news. The ability to turn it on the rotisserie would sure make the welding tasks a lot easier, though!

Thanks for everyone's help.

Lance
 
I'll post a photo later tonight. As you will see, you have to fabricate attachments. Welding ability is required. In addition to fabricating the attachments, you have to elongate the vertical element of the engine stands, and change the angle at the same time so that the axis of the pivoting mechanism is horizontal. This is to provide ground clearance for the chassis and the ability to rotate. As to the weight of the chassis, one healthy male can pick up one end alone. The entire chassis is pretty heavy, though, and probably more safely handled by three or four folks.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Sorry, can't post a photo. E-mail me at jma@jmalawfirm.com, and I'll send you a photo.

[/ QUOTE ]

(You can upload a picture. When you make a post, selct the "I want to preview my post and/or attach a file" check box before you conitinue (save) your post. You will then have the opportunity to browse your computer and upload a picture as an attachment. People can then click on the attachment to view the image. -- Basil
 
[ QUOTE ]
The rotisserie sounds like a great idea, but I'm at a loss to imagine how you have attached it to the chassis. By any chance can you either post a photo of the arrangement or e-mail it to me?

[/ QUOTE ]
Lance, If you belong to a local AH club ask around. Someone may have one already made up. I borrowed the one I used from a local car club member who was glad to lend it, to get it out of the way. I'll try and attach a picture if you wish. It'll be at the top of this post.
 

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Hi Lyon yes my brother and I picked mine up and carried it outside about 40 ft. It was totally bare no rear end or front suspension and it wasn't heavy at all just the inner chassis. It was light enough for us to put it up on 38 inch high steel sawhorses for blasting. Skip
 
Lance,

For rolling the chassis around I borrowed a great pair of dollies that were originally used in hospitals. Perhaps a hospital surplus supply?

https://www.loftusdesign.net/dolly_lores.jpg

For a 'poor mans' rotissery, I built one out of wood. I considered buying engine stands, metal channels and welding one up but it would have been overkill for the small amount of work that my frame needed. This allowed me (takes two actually) to turn the chassis on each side to get to the work area. It cost about $40 in materials and is now being used for the prep and paint process.

https://www.loftusdesign.net/woodstand.jpg

Cheers,
John
 
Wow! What a great resource you all are! I have to admit that I was thinking of something similar to John's hospital dollies, but for an inexpensive way to go, I kinda like the wood rotisserie as well. Thanks, all.

Lance
 
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