How much to fix before taking body off frame?

I have been debating whether or not to pull the body off my 50 chevy sedan. I found some spots on the frame that have rusted through, so I decided to pull the body off and fix it up right (and I might as well put in some airbags while its off ).

However my dilemma lies in whether or not (or how much) to fix the body up before pulling it off. The floors and rockers are pretty much gone. Should I fix them up before pulling the body, or just brace up the body, pull it, and do all the body work while the body is off? I have never taken a body off the frame before, so I'm a little unsure how to proceed.

 

If your chevy is as bad as you say, I'd recommend welding in some angle iron braces to hold it all in shape before lifting the body. I don't see much use in doing body work before lifting it, because everything will be more accessible, and you may find it is worse than you thought, and will have wasted your time, if you have to re-do it. Good luck, and be sure to post progress pics here!

 

I'm kind of at the same point... I have a 52 Rag and want to take the body off the X-frame so i can do the car right as well.....The car is solid, so i am not worried about rust issues.... My question is, Should i take the doors off and brace the inside of the car? or can i just leave the doors on and shut and lift off the body? I know being convertible there is more to worry about. I am gonna unbolt the front end off (so the body is alot lighter to lift) but would it be wise to undo the doors as well? and how many bolts is there to undo before the body will lift off?? Thanks.

PS. Sorry Fatrhino, I didn't mean to hijack your thread...I just thought we could both get answers here since we are on the same page of our projects...I hope you don't mind.

 

one thing i thought about was i wish i had redone the floors and trunk before pulling the body off the frame that way when i am doen with the frame and final paint goes on i wont have to worry about tearing up the finish on the frame. just me being picky. just depends on how particular you are.

 

I would suggest doing all the metal work before you take it off the frame, especially with the rockers being shot.

 

Hey dog....make sure the doors are in adjustment first with or wihout latches( i prefer without so i can keep checking door fit ).install your bracing front to back side to side over lap the tubingand weld it in.. Now do a body lift. Hardcore

 

Right now, the frame is holding the body close to the right shape.