Has anyone hung the body Vertically?

[Blitzboy54]

I know the general response is why the hell would you do that. Here is my answer. I have a 2 car garage but there are a few items that cannot be moved out. I basically have a 1 1/2 car garage to work with. This is still plenty of room. My problem is I have a barn style garage with a loft. The loft floor means in the back 2/3rds of my garage the ceiling is only 7 feet. If I hang the body it will only be 4 feet off the ground. My current plan is build a body buck on stilts and try to store things underneath, but again I can't lift it very high. Once all the boxes arrive it will be tight for a while. I have a massive table saw, snow blower, lawn mower and generator all has to stay. Plus I really do need to add a small beer fridge. Adding a second shed is not an option unfortunately.

The front 1/3rd of my garage goes all the way up to 18 feet at the peak. If I could hang the body from the nose or tail I could store it 100% out of the way until I need it. I just don't know what kind of stress if any that will put on it. My thinking is to support at both ends of the cockpit then build a jig that laid across the nose. Maybe have I bolts through the headlight holes? This may be a terrible idea but I wanted to vet it here before committing one way or another.


Thanks

[egchewy79]

I have no idea if this would work, but am interested in seeing what others have to say. Necessity is the mother of invention, after all :)

[GoDadGo]

I would not recommend it; however, if you do then be advised that you will need to support the cockpit & fender areas.
My biggest concern is the body shape may possibly get convoluted or damaged in some way.
Please understand that this just my opinion and is not based on facts.
Finally, just because it hasn't been done, doesn't mean that it can't be done.
Tread Lightly If You Go Down This Path!

[CFranks]

....Plus I really do need to add a small beer fridge....
Thanks

I like the priorities!

If the main part of the garage is so high would you be able to hang it horizontal above everything, even if above your working chassis if tall enough? That's what most do who don't have room for a buck.

[David Hodgkins]

I think a vertical orientation is a good idea in this case. Would you be hanging it, or are you planning to attach it to the wall? if the wall is used you can make several strong "shelves", or if using the roof you could make hangers for the tail lights and hangers for the cockpit lip that would distribute the load enough to support the body. Maybe use both?


:)

[chmhasy]

If you decide to go this way please post pic of it.

[Randy's]

Is there enough room to hang it perpendicular in the high ceiling part of your garage? The nose over one parking spot and the tail over the second parking spot? The car is not very wide. That is how I hung mine:137133

[rich grsc]

I wouldn't hesitate for a minute to hang it vertical. Go for it, two pieces of round wood behind the headlights and fasten to them.

[Joecobr]

When suspending the body horizontally from the four corners (without a buck) the weak points are the rocker panels thus people place a wooden spreader in the cabin to prevent the two ends from folding in. (I scrapped my bulky body buck after a while and went with a pair of cheap kayak suspension systems). When hanging the body vertically the same two weak points exist, ie the rocker panels, but this time the rear half wants to bend away from the front half. In order to prevent this, the two cabin cowl lips must be held together at the correct length or you could somehow tie the headlight and tail light openings together to achieve the same effect. Either way, easily done and vertical storage should work perfectly fine.

[Blitzboy54]

When suspending the body horizontally from the four corners (without a buck) the weak points are the rocker panels thus people place a wooden spreader in the cabin to prevent the two ends from folding in. (I scrapped my bulky body buck after a while and went with a pair of cheap kayak suspension systems). When hanging the body vertically the same two weak points exist, ie the rocker panels, but this time the rear half wants to bend away from the front half. In order to prevent this, the two cabin cowl lips must be held together at the correct length or you could somehow tie the headlight and tail light openings together to achieve the same effect. Either way, easily done and vertical storage should work perfectly fine.

I think if I run 2 rails from the tail lights to the head lights then bolt them at the ends through the holes I think that would do it. What is the total length of the body? 90 inches?

[Blitzboy54]

If you decide to go this way please post pic of it.


I definitely will.

[Jeff Kleiner]

...What is the total length of the body? 90 inches?

Just over 13 feet.

Jeff

[j.miller]

Hang it by the headlight holes. I see no problems if the bottom of the body is flat against the wall...da Bat

[copythat]

Is there enough room to hang it perpendicular in the high ceiling part of your garage? The nose over one parking spot and the tail over the second parking spot? The car is not very wide. That is how I hung mine:137133

That is pretty creative. How many times did you hit your head on it? By the way, what is your frame resting on and do you recommend them?

[FFinisher]

You could leave it outside. Believe me it wont hurt it. I worried when I built my first one. I took the basement door off to get it inside. Even though everyone told me I could leave it outside.

FFR leaves them outside. Its big hunk of fiberglass. Weather wont hurt it. In fact I have been told the climate variations help it cure.

50 cars later I leave them outside. Sometimes a couple at a time.

Surprised Kleiner didn't already tell you this.:cool:

[Jeff Kleiner]

Surprised Kleiner didn't already tell you this.:cool:

He asked how long it was so I answered! I just figured everybody already knew you can leave 'em outside :p

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=137157&d=1538649124

I happen to know of a guy in Bloomington Indiana that has a Coupe body screwed down to the outside deck off of the family room...and a very tolerant wife :)

Jeff

137157

[Blitzboy54]

You could leave it outside. Believe me it wont hurt it. I worried when I built my first one. I took the basement door off to get it inside. Even though everyone told me I could leave it outside.

FFR leaves them outside. Its big hunk of fiberglass. Weather wont hurt it. In fact I have been told the climate variations help it cure.

50 cars later I leave them outside. Sometimes a couple at a time.

Surprised Kleiner didn't already tell you this.:cool:

I've thought about that. Was my plan at one point my concern is my house is encased in 50 foot oak trees. Branches come down sometimes and they can be big. I would worry one big wind storm and then I have 2 halves of a body.

[GoDadGo]

I've thought about that. Was my plan at one point my concern is my house is encased in 50 foot oak trees. Branches come down sometimes and they can be big. I would worry one big wind storm and then I have 2 halves of a body.

Steve's Stupid Suggestions To Store Your Body Vertically!


I totally get the fear of crap falling on the body because we've been whacked by several hurricanes this year down in my neck of the swampy swamp.
I think if you want to hang it vertically, install an aluminum flat bar across each wheel opening bottom from front to rear to reduce spreading.
Install aluminum flat bar across the top of the door openings from front to rear to keep them from spreading too.
Make 3/4" plywood plates and install/attach them behind the headlight bucket holes.
Install eyebolts bolts with large shoulder/fender washers to plywood plates.
Get your pals to come over to support the body as you hoist it vertically.

Just Understand That My Stupid Suggestions Are Theoretical!

Good Luck From The Dell, Slidell That Is!
......https://www.factoryfive.com/whats-new/customer-steve-l-graduates-his-mk4-roadster/

[Al_C]

I happen to know of a guy in Bloomington Indiana that has a Coupe body screwed down to the outside deck off of the family room...and a very tolerant wife :)

Jeff



I'd like to see a photo of that!

[Rook]

I happen to know of a guy in Bloomington Indiana that has a Coupe body screwed down to the outside deck off of the family room...and a very tolerant wife :)

Jeff

137157

Is it you, Jeff? ;)

By the way, I sent you a PM about possibly getting on your list for paint. Happy to give you a call too if that works for you.

[Randy's]

I hit my head only once...that was enough! This is what I used for resting the frame on: https://www.jegs.com/i/Allstar-Performance/049/ALL10625/10002/-1 They worked great for me. You can adjust the height, they roll and have locking wheels.

[Chris @ Forma]

We regularly do this on our Coupe builds whenever we are installing headliners. We haven't ever had a need on a roadster. I agree with GoDad that the body below the doors might become distorted. If you are going to consider this, I would only consider doing so in the unfinished state. You might consider glassing a couple of blocks in front and back of the cockpit and then screwing a reinforcing piece across the cockpit opening. When you are ready to do the body just cut the blocks out and grind away the extraneous glass.