Body - On and Off

[Randy's]

I've had the body hanging from my garage ceiling during my build. I'm to the point where I need to put it on and take it off (at least a few times) to check clearances, etc. I have friends that can help but they never seem to be available exactly when I need them. Has anyone come up with a way to make the body mounting and removal a one man job? I seem to recall seeing pictures of someone rigging up a system to accomplish this.

[edwardb]

I did something similar to what others have shown. Four screws eyes into ceiling joists and used rope hangars on each corner. Able to install and remove by myself. The rope hangars were from Home Depot, and I think intended for bike storage or whatever. 150-200 lbs capacity each as I recall. They're also available in multiple sizes on-line, including Amazon.

https://oi867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%2020th%20Anniversary%20Mark%204%20R oadster/Body/IMG_4359_zpsjjbamnbj.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%2020th%20Anniversary%20Mark%204%20R oadster/Body/IMG_4359_zpsjjbamnbj.jpg.html)

https://oi867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%2020th%20Anniversary%20Mark%204%20R oadster/Body/IMG_4360_zpswyksieeu.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%2020th%20Anniversary%20Mark%204%20R oadster/Body/IMG_4360_zpswyksieeu.jpg.html)

[JohnK]

In case it's helpful, these are the ones that I bought on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C3P0LY0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I had seen Edwardb's photos (shown above) in his build thread and figured those looked like very handy little pulleys to have around and wanted a few. It took me a lot of searching on various terms on Amazon to finally find them. They're apparently intended to hang grow lights.

[boat737]

Have done it a few times by myself. Used ropes like EduardB. I also made a fixture to hold the bottom edges apart to get over the door area frames. I think Jeff Kleiner uses some PVC to accomplish the same thing. I used a couple of 2x4's in the hood opening and the trunk opening to hold the rope pulleys. Don't rush it, just go nice and slow.

Also, it's easier with the front tires out of the way. You can take them off, or I just jack the front of the car up some and take most of the weight off the front suspension. That way the tires go down in relation to the chassis, and then the body clears the tires as it settles down.

[GWL]

Similar to the others but used only two ceiling pullys. One in front and one in the rear. The front I attached similar to others, the rear through the roll bar holes. I have handled the body with two lines and tied them off to something heavy or non-movabe when I needed to work around fitting the body around the chassis. Once the front is somewhat in place you can tie that line off and working with the rear line fit the rear down into place. I've done this at least ten times. The body is not that heavy just awkward.

George

[Packer fan]

I knew there would be a day that my kids would come in handy.

I found it!
;)

[SSNK4US]

O. M. G. ! That is quite a “fixture” to hold the bottom edges out. Seriously very impressive.

Kurt

[boat737]

O. M. G. ! That is quite a “fixture” to hold the bottom edges out. Seriously very impressive.

Kurt

Yeah, I think I'm gunna change my middle name to Overkill. It works pretty good. Makes it a true one man show. Like I said, I'm pretty sure Kleiner props a 1 or 1 1/2 inch piece of PVC pipe against the frame to accomplish the same thing of holding the bottom edge of the body off of the chassis/frame. At least I think it was him. Either way, it eliminates having to have two sets of hands hold the bottom edges out and guide it over the chassis, either going on or coming off.

[Jeff Kleiner]

I fly solo on the R&R all the time. Pick the body up, drive/roll the chassis out, roll the buck in and lower it---or vice-versa. It's about a 10 minute process.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=106377&d=1534954130

Rather than a pulley system I just use friction lock tie down straps and work each corner individually. As boat 737 mentioned I nest a piece of PVC with 45 degree elbow in the door hinges to keep the lower body spread as it goes up or down---simple methods for my simple mind ;)

Jeff

106377

[RJD]

Rather than a pulley system I just use friction lock tie down straps and work each corner individually. As boat 737 mentioned I nest a piece of PVC with 45 degree elbow in the door hinges to keep the lower body spread as it goes up or down---simple methods for my simple mind ;)

Jeff

106377

Excellent idea on the PVC! Couldn't have been more timely. Thanks for sharing.

[edwardb]

Totally get the PVC and other aids people come up with. Great idea(s), especially if it's something you do a lot. In my pictures (post #2) you can see I wrapped the hinge area with a layer of towels. (Really ugly ones from trade shows back in my working for a living days, that we won't use for anything else BTW.) With the ratcheting pulleys, it's easy to walk around lowering a little at a time and spreading the body as it goes down. Still a one person show. The towels keep everything protected just fine. Also doesn't hurt to repeat here to put some protection over the rear trunk side bulb seals as well. That was my next step after the two pictures I posted. Again, towels, or rags, or even thick plastic film. Anything to keep the body edge from digging into the bulb seal as you stretch the back around and down. You will likely be replacing it if you don't.

[j.miller]

You guys have all the fun doing it solo !.....I have to use one of my guys to help me (sad face)...da Bat