Chassis dolly vs. jack stands - any opinions?

[Stangrob]

Gents,

Well, I think I know the answer to this one, but I figured I'd ask anyway. I have a one-car garage and figured that jack stands would be what I need while building my roadster, but I've also seen lots of guys build themselves a chassis dolly. Did you find that having the dolly made a huge difference during your build, or was it not as helpful as you expected? Since I have limited space I wasn't sure how much I'd be moving the chassis around, but hey, maybe it really does help.

Thanks!

Rob

[rich grsc]

No need for a dolly in a one-car garage

[Jeff Kleiner]

Even though I can fit 6 cars in my shop I still always use a dolly until they are a running go cart so that I can move them around. If I was in a one car I'd especially want a dolly so that it could be moved.

Jeff

[OB6]

Use a dolly, you won't regret it. It's hard to predict if/when/where you'll need to move it. You may want to push it out of the way while you work on something else.

[Cobradavid]

I didn't need a chassis dolly for my build (in a 2-car garage). I made a body buck ("bunk bed") for the body with shelves for parts and boxes and space below for the chassis. The build was pretty quick getting the chassis on tires, at which point it was easy to roll the chassis out of the garage or roll the body buck/"bunk bed" out of the garage.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=221361&d=1762811696

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=221362&d=1762811696

[bishes]

I have a one car garage and my dolly has been extremely useful. I can push it over to one side if I need a little more room to work and I can push it forward or backwards depending on what I'm working on. When it's nice out I'll pull the whole thing out of the garage to really maximize my space.

[Stangrob]

Thanks guys! As usual - great feedback! I think I'll go with the chassis dolly after all. As was pointed out, you can never tell when you'll need some extra space and this will give me that option.

Rob

[Jphoenix]

A dolly with large (at least 8") wheels and if you can get a set of quickjacks on sale, you'll wonder why you tried to build it without them. I bought a 7000TL open box, it was perfect never used, at the time it was $1350, but now I see they're $1700. The 7000 I can use to lift my RAM 3500 to change the damn fuel filter. But a 5000 is plenty for a factory five car.

https://www.quickjack.com/category/refurbished

[Ejzajac]

I didn't need a chassis dolly for my build (in a 2-car garage). I made a body buck ("bunk bed") for the body with shelves for parts and boxes and space below for the chassis. The build was pretty quick getting the chassis on tires, at which point it was easy to roll the chassis out of the garage or roll the body buck/"bunk bed" out of the garage.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=221361&d=1762811696

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=221362&d=1762811696

I'm looking at those roller wheels. What size are the spare wheels. Would they fit over Wilwood brakes?

YES, Chassis dolly is the way to go.
Ed Z

[Ejzajac]

Have struggled finding old Mustang wheels and tires at local salvage yards.
Ed Z

[CDXXVII]

Chassis Dolly

This is one of the best things I did for my build to make things easier. Hung there for nearly 5 years. Deceiving but the lowest spot is approx. 6'-6" from the floor. Second best thing was the chassis dolly.

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=76845&d=1377224377

I based my dolly on this design someone posted years ago. Pretty much the same

https://www.ffcars.com/media/chassisdolly.10266/full

[Cobraman]

Dido I built a dolly and found it very convenient to work on then when finished for the day push it in the corner and park you daily driver under cover and out of the elements. Also your able to turn it around any position you need to work on it. It rolls very easily even up until you put tires on. I even did my first start on the cart.

[RobHartley]

I didn't need a chassis dolly for my build (in a 2-car garage). I made a body buck ("bunk bed") for the body with shelves for parts and boxes and space below for the chassis. The build was pretty quick getting the chassis on tires, at which point it was easy to roll the chassis out of the garage or roll the body buck/"bunk bed" out of the garage.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=221361&d=1762811696

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=221362&d=1762811696
This is exactly what I am planning for my MK5, however I will be storing the boxes under the "Body Buck bunk bed" ;)

[Grubester]

I've used these "wood lifts" rather than the new jack stands I bought (still used sometimes.)
The wood lifts raise the tire 14" above the floor (plus ~4" to the frame). Much more stable and out of the way compared to jack stands.
I used the 2x4's from my BluePrint crate + ripped the 2x10's and added a few more 2x4's. All pieces are glued and screwed. Very solid. I rotate the wheels about 25 degrees every few weeks to prevent flat spots.

221401

[FRM]

I found the dolly to be very helpful. I often swapped 180 degrees end to end as the light was better closer to the garage door. Also the suggestion above to get good quality large wheels is invaluable. As you add things to the chassis its weight goes up and it becomes harder to roll, so larger wheels help.

[Stangrob]

I've used these "wood lifts" rather than the new jack stands I bought (still used sometimes.)
The wood lifts raise the tire 14" above the floor (plus ~4" to the frame). Much more stable and out of the way compared to jack stands.
I used the 2x4's from my BluePrint crate + ripped the 2x10's and added a few more 2x4's. All pieces are glued and screwed. Very solid. I rotate the wheels about 25 degrees every few weeks to prevent flat spots.

221401

Yes, those are known as cribs (no idea where that name came from) - I have a set too. They do work great when having to put a car up for a long period of time - much more stable than regular jack stands. I suspect I'll pull those out at some point during my build.

Rob

[Stangrob]

I found the dolly to be very helpful. I often swapped 180 degrees end to end as the light was better closer to the garage door. Also the suggestion above to get good quality large wheels is invaluable. As you add things to the chassis its weight goes up and it becomes harder to roll, so larger wheels help.

Yeah, I found some really nice 8" casters with brakes at HF. They're good for 450lbs each so I should be good!

Rob

https://www.harborfreight.com/8-in-cushioned-rubber-swivel-caster-with-brake-61836.html

[PNWTim]

I think a combination of both is the best setup. A dolly on edge doesn't take up much room but being able to move your car around easily has any number of benefits. When you need access to the tunnel or underneath you can put it on jack stands in 15 minutes.

As an aside, the 2 x 4 blocking, which is referred to as cribbing or a crib, comes from the term for a corn crib or any slatted structure. Trivia for the day...

[phileas_fogg]

I loved using the chassis dolly to move whatever end of the car I was working on to the open door. WAY more light that way.


John

[TTimmy]

I’ve built three on jack stands with no real issues. Once the suspension is on I just put the HF tire Dollys underneath. That said, the dolly guys put forward a good argument. Maybe number four will be on a chassis dolly.

[Stangrob]

I will say - when my kit was delivered last weekend the driver Mark was very happy to see I had a chassis dolly ;)

Rob

[upontheridge]

I bought these for my dolly. $49.00 for a set a four. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWDZTRJB?ref_=ppx_hzod_title_dt_b_fed_asin_title _0_0
222172

[Stangrob]

I bought these for my dolly. $49.00 for a set a four. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWDZTRJB?ref_=ppx_hzod_title_dt_b_fed_asin_title _0_0
222172

Not bad. The ones I bought were 8” from HF @ $25 each.

Rob

[Rebostar]

I am fortunate to have a shop that has a 2 post lift and plenty of room for other cars and projects. I built the entire car while on my lift. For my other projects, 47 Merc, 57 Studebaker Silver Hawk, ect, being able to have the body on a body cart was very handy while I had the chassis on the lift. A body cart would not be nessasary once your on 4 wheels, as you could roll it around to do work on the fiberglass body on the body buck if you plan on doing that work. A friend not far away is building his car in a one car garage and is useing jacks, no cart, and seems to be working just fine.

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[Ejzajac]

I am fortunate to have a shop that has a 2 post lift and plenty of room for other cars and projects. I built the entire car while on my lift. For my other projects, 47 Merc, 57 Studebaker Silver Hawk, ect, being able to have the body on a body cart was very handy while I had the chassis on the lift. A body cart would not be nessasary once your on 4 wheels, as you could roll it around to do work on the fiberglass body on the body buck if you plan on doing that work. A friend not far away is building his car in a one car garage and is useing jacks, no cart, and seems to be working just fine.

222173222174222175222176222177222178222179222180

What is the color on that incredible red Cobra?

Ed Z

[Rebostar]

What is the color on that incredible red Cobra?

Ed Z

House of Kolor, Shimmerin II, Brandywine. I did all the body work, but left the top coat to a pro friend of mine.

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[Cobraman]

Chassis dolly hands down and I didn't look back. You can move it anywhere in the shop for easy access to whatever you're working on and makes for easier clean up.

[Ejzajac]

House of Kolor, Shimmerin II, Brandywine. I did all the body work, but left the top coat to a pro friend of mine.

222219222220

Thanks. Great Kolor.
Ed Z

[CW_MI]

Going to use a dolly for mine, until I can get it a roller, then the Eastwood wheel hydraulic wheel dollies. I'm in a two car garage, and right now my other car is in storage, but in the spring I have to have room for it. So the build needs to be easily movable.

[rponfick]

I've used these "wood lifts" rather than the new jack stands I bought (still used sometimes.)
The wood lifts raise the tire 14" above the floor (plus ~4" to the frame). Much more stable and out of the way compared to jack stands.
I used the 2x4's from my BluePrint crate + ripped the 2x10's and added a few more 2x4's. All pieces are glued and screwed. Very solid. I rotate the wheels about 25 degrees every few weeks to prevent flat spots.

221401

I use the cribs, and add 2x4's and subtract, depending on the height I want. To turn them into a dolly, just add Harbor Freight furniture moving caster thingys under the cribs, and you can move around easily.
Ralph