How to decide when to do a body off frame restoration?

[virtualchuck]

So I'm wresting with the idea of doing a body off frame restoration. The frame at first didn't appear that bad, but now that I've spent some time under it, I am seeing a few holes, and I worry about the damage I can't see. Since I need to do the suspension, brakes, etc... and most likely I have a trans. leak also that needs addressing anyway, it seems to make the most sense to just take the plunge...

Anyone want to talk me in to or out of this before I start unbolting the body???

Thanks,

Chuck

[DMCMW Dave]

So I'm wresting with the idea of doing a body off frame restoration. The frame at first didn't appear that bad, but now that I've spent some time under it, I am seeing a few holes, and I worry about the damage I can't see. Since I need to do the suspension, brakes, etc... and most likely I have a trans. leak also that needs addressing anyway, it seems to make the most sense to just take the plunge...

Anyone want to talk me in to or out of this before I start unbolting the body???

Thanks,

Chuck

IMO the only reason to pull the body off the frame is to patch holes in the frame that are otherwise inaccessible, or do a complete do-over on it because you want to. More minor frame work (engine cradle, front suspension) can be done just fine in the car. But - if what you want is a like-new completely re-coated and/or galvanized frame when you are done, then taking it all apart is the way to go.

All the other work you mention (trans leaks, brakes, suspension) is, to me, easier to do with the car all put together. I find it harder to wrestle suspension parts on and off the car without the mass of the car holding things in place. And you find that a transmission laying on the ground is harder to work on (short of overhauling it) than one still in the car (assuming you can get it on a rack).

Some of my perspective on this is due to the use of a car lift. Which also helps immensely doing a body-off. Pulling the body off the car in your backyard is a pretty precarious job based on how I've seen people doing it (multiple floor jacks and stacks of concrete blocks).

[virtualchuck]

IMO the only reason to pull the body off the frame is to patch holes in the frame that are otherwise inaccessible, or do a complete do-over on it because you want to. More minor frame work (engine cradle, front suspension) can be done just fine in the car. But - if what you want is a like-new completely re-coated and/or galvanized frame when you are done, then taking it all apart is the way to go.

All the other work you mention (trans leaks, brakes, suspension) is, to me, easier to do with the car all put together. I find it harder to wrestle suspension parts on and off the car without the mass of the car holding things in place. And you find that a transmission laying on the ground is harder to work on (short of overhauling it) than one still in the car (assuming you can get it on a rack).

Some of my perspective on this is due to the use of a car lift. Which also helps immensely doing a body-off. Pulling the body off the car in your backyard is a pretty precarious job based on how I've seen people doing it (multiple floor jacks and stacks of concrete blocks).

That is of course the other issue Dave, working in the garage without a lift will make this process more difficult. If it ever stops snowing I'll get it up and post some pictures. I just hate the idea of doing a full restoration on a bad frame...

I was reading some old posts where you talked about the stripping/galvanizing process, and since you've already mentioned that we have the resources locally that you've worked with, that would make the actual process a little simpler.

Thanks for the feedback Dave, it is a much appreciated...

Chuck

[David T]

That is of course the other issue Dave, working in the garage without a lift will make this process more difficult. If it ever stops snowing I'll get it up and post some pictures. I just hate the idea of doing a full restoration on a bad frame...

I was reading some old posts where you talked about the stripping/galvanizing process, and since you've already mentioned that we have the resources locally that you've worked with, that would make the actual process a little simpler.

Thanks for the feedback Dave, it is a much appreciated...

Chuck

The biggest problem I see with pulling the body off is all of the "because you are there" stuff you will do. It will add an immense amount of time and money to the job and you lose the use of the car during the whole time. If you work with the body on you can break the job up into smaller projects and still use the car. If the frame is very bad it may make sense to remove the body to repair the frame or replace it. And then there is the danger of the actual work if you do not have the proper workspace or the right equipment.

[Nicholas R]

It really depends on how much work you actually intend to do. When I did a body/frame separation, I loved the access I had to everything, and therefor got so many other things done that I hadn't even considered. If you really intend to do a full restoration, then I say to do it (it's not as difficult to do as you think).

[wafflemaster]

The primary rule I use when restoring or modding a car is "Keep it driveable". If you love driving the car and you have good weather, break up the project into 1-2 day sizes pieces. Pull something off, put it back on, drive it. Repeat. I've had too many projects that I took down to individual nuts and bolts and then they never made it back together. If you can't drive it, it's easy to lose interest.

However...I broke my own rule with the Delorean :) I HAD to though, it was basically undriveable when I bought it. I removed the 12 body bolts, some wiring, the AC lines, steering linkage and got the body up in the air. If I didn't have a 2-post lift to help me, the body might still be connected though. It's not something I would want to attempt in my driveway. The car won't be driveable for a few months, but I'm at least keeping to the spirit of the rule. I'm trying really hard to focus on one section at a time so that it won't become a basket case.

[virtualchuck]

The primary rule I use when restoring or modding a car is "Keep it driveable". If you love driving the car and you have good weather, break up the project into 1-2 day sizes pieces. Pull something off, put it back on, drive it. Repeat. I've had too many projects that I took down to individual nuts and bolts and then they never made it back together. If you can't drive it, it's easy to lose interest.

However...I broke my own rule with the Delorean :) I HAD to though, it was basically undriveable when I bought it. I removed the 12 body bolts, some wiring, the AC lines, steering linkage and got the body up in the air. If I didn't have a 2-post lift to help me, the body might still be connected though. It's not something I would want to attempt in my driveway. The car won't be driveable for a few months, but I'm at least keeping to the spirit of the rule. I'm trying really hard to focus on one section at a time so that it won't become a basket case.

For clarification, I've owned the car for about 9 months, and it's really never been "drivable" It sat for about 5 years before I bought it. I did take it around the block once, but it has lots of work before it will get to the point it is road worthy. I basically was focused on getting the engine running, and now am moving on to the other components.

Chuck

[David T]

For clarification, I've owned the car for about 9 months, and it's really never been "drivable" It sat for about 5 years before I bought it. I did take it around the block once, but it has lots of work before it will get to the point it is road worthy. I basically was focused on getting the engine running, and now am moving on to the other components.

Chuck

There is another point to be made about doing a bigger job. I have seen all too many projects incomplete because they outgrew the owner's expectations, abilities, finances, and space. There is a lot to be said about keeping the job in small, "bite size" pieces. If you do a whole big job and run into problems it seems like you will never get it done. Just because the car was not used in 5 years is not so bad. You rebuild the fuel system, cooling system and brakes, replace some struts and you should be going. If the frame is not that bad you can drive it and get it fixed when you can. Save the bigger jobs for the winter. BTW, when you do remove the body it is now taking up the space of TWO cars. Not everyone has that kind of room and still have a place for their other cars.

[virtualchuck]

Thank you for the replies, I will post photos of the frame in a new thread to see if anyone with more experience catches something I didn't see. I'm trying to arrange some time on a lift so we can give it a proper assessment. I haven't come across anything to indicate there are any holes or other issues with the frame's integrity, just lots of rust...

Chuck