How to lift body off frame in my small garage?

When I pulled the body off my 50 Pontiac, I used a 4x4 that I rounded the edges over with a router through the rear window opening, some 4x4s and Simpson Strong Ties (hardware store) to build the setup shown. I first jacked the car up with my floor jack as far as I could, then used 4x4 blocks and the jack to get it high enough to clear the tires, put the "a frame" together, unbolted the body, and let the ch***is down, rolled the ch***is out, and basically reversed the process when I was done.

 

Camper jacks are the only answer, no matter how much room you have.

 

Here is a very safe and balanced method for lifting a coupe. I have an overhead pick point for 1 end but two cherry pickers could easily handle a stripped down body.

Spreader beams were made for the front and rear to keep the load centered and balanced.


The spreader beams were designed with a freshly painted body in mind. This system should not put that new paint at risk. It also saves the backs of your aging friends and takes much less of your favorite beverage to operate.

 

When I did my Olds convertible 4 of us took the body off. I would guess that body would be about the weight of your car. $ of us took the body off the 42 Chevy, and only 3 of ou to put it back on.

 

I have done the same as RB35 twice. Very glad to have a shop now.