Lifting a car body.

[ajlelectronics]

As my GTC project is nearing mating time, my thoughts have been how best to lift the body off the temporary chassis, back onto its own, after the refurb. The car is in final paint so quite critical to avoid damage. I have approached a crane hire company but they have not come to see the job. Clearly they are not interested. This is how Reliant did it:

It appears to be some sort of grab under the wheel arches. Straps here wouldn't work as the suspension turrets would be in the way. I could probably overcome that by adding a step to proceedings, propping the body up off the chassis with some supports for example.

I think the major query is what lifting equipment to use. I looked at A frames which are expensive, hence the crane hire idea. A forklift truck is another possibility, but I expect there is all sorts of Elf 'n Safe tea nanny red tape in the way of that?

 

[steveo3002]

get a few blokes round? 4 can lift a sierra size so shouldnt be too hard

 

[Robotstar5]

get a few blokes round? 4 can lift a sierra size so shouldnt be too hard

That's what my neighbour did, get in a few beers and mates, we lifted a Triumph Stag onto a rotisserie for him.

 

[Psychosaffa]

6 mates and myself took the body ofd a double cab hilux . That's the route I would go.

 

[123hotchef]

fork lift or the boys

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I do things like this all by myself ! Best way is borrow, scrounge or buy some scaffolding to make gantry and then use a block & tackle.

 

[wookie]

I do things like this all by myself ! Best way is borrow, scrounge or buy some scaffolding to make gantry and then use a block & tackle.

Here's one I did earlier

 

[Shox Dr]

Do you know any HIAB drivers

 

[davidjohnperry]

how far from yate are you could see if the old man or my brother could come up with the skip lorry if u got for soft straps use the chains to pick it up level might not be able to do it but I can ask or use a forklift or hire a little 3 tonne digger with a chain and strap or good mates who like to lift in the gym

 

[Nick67GT]

I'm close by, so if you need help with a manual lift let me know.

On several occasions 4 of us have lifted my MGB GT shell on / off the mobile stand I constructed. It is fully painted and suffered no damage.

Currently sits on 4 axle stands & is being fitted out.

 

[ajlelectronics]

how far from yate are you could see if the old man or my brother could come up with the skip lorry if u got for soft straps use the chains to pick it up level might not be able to do it but I can ask or use a forklift or hire a little 3 tonne digger with a chain and strap or good mates who like to lift in the gym

You are very kind sir!

Location is a couple of miles south of the City centre so a couple of motorway jusctions up from you. I have people who all say that they will help, but it is getting them all together at the right time, when the weather is conducive. On top of that, there is a safety issue in that an accident could result if one person loses grip etc. People will mend but the paintwork will cost a packet. ;-)

I think that having some sort of hoist would be a safety aid, that way, the bodies only got to help and assist the lift and repositioning. It would also require fewer bodies.

No response from my crane hire contact. I enquired about hiring a forklift. £50 per day but £240 to transport and return across the City!

 

[ajlelectronics]

I'm close by, so if you need help with a manual lift let me know.

.

Thankyou Nick. I admit that I am slightly concerned about the job, so bodies would be handy. I would anticipate it being done on a Sunday when the car park is empty. Maybe a week tomorrow, but it isn't that urgent.

 

[steveo3002]

honestly a few blokes will handle it no problem ...make sure no one has big belt buckles or zips , maybe tape a few layers of bubble wrap on each arch

if you did need an alternative , what about a decent engine crane , raise each end a bit at a time until its up on high stands then roll the chassis under?

 

[Wendelspanswick]

How heavy would you estimate the body is?
Could you use one or a pair of material lifts:

There are various models, some fold up to fit in to an estate car and they are relatively cheap to hire, especially compared to a forklift.

 

[Wallace]

Two engine hoists to lift the body on the bumper mounts and castors on the chassis to slide it under?

 

[ajlelectronics]

Two engine hoists to lift the body on the bumper mounts and castors on the chassis to slide it under?

The body has to be lifted from rest at about six inches at the cills, to a clearance height of about four feet. Then the old chassis has to be pushed out of the way and the original refurbed chassis positioned underneath before lowering. That is at least five minutes that the shell will need to be kept in the air, hence my concerns.

No idea what the weight is, but the whole car weighs about 1.2 tonnes. I would guess that the body is about a third of that.

 

[ajlelectronics]

 

[steveo3002]

if using helpers wouldnt you just raise the body and shuffle over to the new chassis thats parked nearby?

have a spare helper /wife avail to rush in with a stand if it gets too much for anyone

 

[rich r]

I've seen a couple of engine cranes and straps used by one person to do this. If you're estimating the body weighs around 400-500kg, then with the jib at full extension on the average 1 tonne model you'd be within the weight limit (just) and be able to lift from the floor to head height. It's an option maybe.

 

[ajlelectronics]

A date has been decided upon for the work, (unless I can get it done beforehand at the garage next door), of next Sunday at around 1PM. Any locals who would like a free coffee would be welcome. I have invited a number of people, but so far only one has confirmed!