Body Hoist

[3kcarbon]

After the subject came up in another post I had to look into it "just in case". I must admit I like projects like this. First I did some rummaging around to see what I had on hand and a set of tie down straps that quickly voluntered. Ok, thats a start now off to the local Home Depot Roadster Supply. Shhh they sell Coupe parts too.. I found some nice bolt through swing mounts that would be a good place to hang a hoist. Now off to the Roadster dept. at Harbor Freight. Oooo 500 lb rope hoists for only about $6.00. Two of them should be just fine on a under 200 lb body. I was pondering the hook setup and found some "Hang All" steel tube wall units that just screamed to be put in service. Add a little pipe insulation and we are good to go.
Since I was still doing fit up work I have not given the hoist setup a "pull" yet but it looks like it will do fine just have to work out tie downs or trusty lock method.

[first time builder]

Should work fine for up and down but hard to actually remove body from frame. have to go front to back to clear the frame.

Kenny

[Someday I Suppose]

Should be fine, when I did the drob butt on mine, I took the body on and off by myself a number of times. I found a ratcheting s hook set-up at Lowes that used like a 3/8 inch rope, and just put one hook under the left side fender, ran it up through a pully, across through another pully, and down to the ratchet hook. It was pretty easy then to raise it a foot or so at a time, move to the other side, and repeat.

Edit, I should mention that was on a MKIII, on the MKIV you have the lower body edge that wraps under the car to deal with as well.

-Scott

[turbonut48]

Only one suggestion on your rig. Wrap the tie downs around the center lift hook once, so the sling doesnt slip.
Then body wont accidentally tip. Old Millwright trick.

The Nut

[3kcarbon]

Should work fine for up and down but hard to actually remove body from frame. have to go front to back to clear the frame.

Kenny

I'm thinking roll the car but actual use will teach the lesson.

[Cobradavid]

Only one suggestion on your rig. Wrap the tie downs around the center lift hook once, so the sling doesnt slip.
Then body wont accidentally tip.

And you probably should still use a 2 x 4 cockpit brace so you don't fold the body in half!

David

[3kcarbon]

O.. I know about that..

[rich grsc]

And you probably should still use a 2 x 4 cockpit brace so you don't fold the body in half!

David

If you are supporting or lifting from the wheel wells, no danger of that happening. The bodies are far stronger than most give them credit for.

[AC Bill]

I would worry that the contour of the body may change slightly if left hanging like that for long. Especially if there was any heat in the shop. I gathered that is why the body bucks are shaped the way they are..?

[3kcarbon]

I was mainly interested in getting the body on and off for fitting not long term storage. I cut my tall buck down to use as a prep cart and storage. Its get 'er done time not hang 'er up time...

[3kcarbon]

By the way a friend that has been helping me has some time in on the older Mk 2 and 3 cars. He was suprised by how much thinner and lighter the Mk 4 body is and it does need different handling.

[rich grsc]

I would worry that the contour of the body may change slightly if left hanging like that for long. Especially if there was any heat in the shop. I gathered that is why the body bucks are shaped the way they are..?

Why, how, in what way? These bodies arent fragile eggshells. Mine is hanging in the garage, I have no worries that it might change shape, they arent that heavy after all.