TR2/3/3A TR3A frame off help

[Jprmm15]

I am about to take the body off the frame of my 60 3A and was wondering if anyone had any good suggestions or measurements for a good support to build to put the body on while I work on the frame. Thanks. Spring is coming, right?

 

[CJD]

How's this for cheap and efficient?

Casters were $20 from Northern Tool. The wood was $5 from Lowes. I would like to advise caution...I only used this after I was absolutely sure of the structural integrity of the body, i.e. no rusted out panels. If you have rust damage, you will have to support the ends to keep from bowing the "A" and "B" pillar areas.

John

 

[Jprmm15]

WOW, that is all it needs? Rust is just about gone with new inner and outer rockers, new inner rear fenders, new floors (of course). Well, is the rust ever really gone? Can 2 guys lift it up off the frame? Thanks, great pics.

 

[CJD]

I used a cherry picker with a harness I bought to do corvettes years ago:

The harness was cheap, that crew was out of Texas Motor Speedway...very pricey!

I don't know for sure, but I would guess the tub is around 250 - 300 pounds. Someone else may know exactly. Two guys could probably carry it, but I would want more to lift it up over the engine when removing or installing. There is to much fragile stuff to clear...and I think only 2 guys would have trouble.

When I originally popped the tub off I was scared to death, having read the restoration book, that it was so weak it would break in half. I had it braced and triangulated, and the whole works. As I worked with it more, I realized it is really pretty sturdy. If the parts are sound, and you show respect, it will be fine without the elaborate bracing. I would not, however, chance throwing it on a trailer and drive around with it.

The dolly in the picture was great for the blasting and working on the sills, etc. It was easy to roll around solo, and I placed the wheels inboard far enough that the whole thing could be tipped on its side and would stay there while I welded...or did whatever.

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

I just built a bunk so I could roll the frame in and out from under the tub without too much issue.

For the TR6 I built a rolling one a little higher so it was more comfortable to work on stripping the body.

And before anyone mentions it, I did have the doors braced on the TR6 for liftoff but removed them for this pic as I was stripping the floors.

Cheers,
M. Pied Lourd

 

[Jprmm15]

Engine out and already rebuilt. These are great and I love the cherry picker idea. Did you just leave it on that the entire time while you worked on the frame? I would be willing to fly that Texas Speedway group to VT, they obviously have experience!!

MPL- are those 4x4's with 2x4's as cross members for the 3 brace? Hmmm....

 

[CJD]

No, originally it went on 6 jacks mid and forward. I built a wood support for the rear mounting pads. It sat that way for 8 months while the mechanicals got rebuilt. I suspected the tub was pretty sturdy when the wood support shrunk this winter and fell over. I tried to put it back, but it was too short to fit, and the body had not drooped at all.

I pushed and pulled on the rear valence while my wife measured the door opening...the result...it was not flexing the door opening at all. That revelation, combined with a need to be able to move it in and out of the garage daily, was where the idea for the dolly came from.

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

Jp,

Yep, 4X4 Legs and 2X4 bracing. Crude, but served the purpose.

+1 one on the cherry picker.

Front shot of the bunk

Cheers,
Tush

 

[mgedit]

Here are some pics of how I removed body from TR3. Engine hoist works great. Mounted on rotisserie for body work. Can provide more details if needed.

Cheers, Mike

 

[Jprmm15]

Thanks so much for the ideas. This will hopefully work out well.