The end of the beginning. Down to the frame
 

I got a crew together today and we lifted off the body of my Panel and put it on the rack I built for it:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55...lonrack002.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55...lonrack007.jpg

I had asked 7 guys to come help and 8 showed up. It was still a strain, but it went smooooooth! What a relief to have this part over with. Now I can start getting the chassis ready for the powdercoater.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55...lonrack003.jpg

Can't quite see it in that picture, but some PO cut off the end 2 or 3 inches of the frame, I guess instead of undoing the bolts to get the bumper off. I saved the last foot or so off the parts doner 'Burb I had, so the biggest thing the frame needs is these cut and welded back on.

Re: The end of the beginning. Down to the frame
 

Man, that is freak'n exciting. It looks like a great project and the frame looks very solid, it should clean up very well.
What are your plans?
I'm staying tuned to this one and keep the pix's coming.

Re: The end of the beginning. Down to the frame
 

Good show!!! Keep it up and let us in on the fun!! I am thinking of pulling my 69 Suburban body off since I already basically have it stripped and plan on switching out to 72 5 lug suspension and replacing all the gas/brake lines too. All I am short is somewhere to lift it off and store it.

Re: The end of the beginning. Down to the frame
 

By the way did you happen to keep the measurements on the dolly you made? Did you have any issues with it fitting if I build one like it?

I was toying with building a few of these:

Re: The end of the beginning. Down to the frame
 

Boy does that look familiar. I hope you dont have as much hidden rust as mine had.

Re: The end of the beginning. Down to the frame
 

I did draw up a little plan of what I built. I'll get it scanned in the next couple days and post it up. Knowing what I do now, I would have made it just a little different, but I'm pretty happy with how it came out. Your design looks good, too. I might have tried to build something similar had I seen that first.

CG, I did find some rust I didn't know about. I knew I had some at my floor/kick panel area on the driver's side, but the pass. side caught me by surprise. Also the dash is pretty much rotted out along the bottom of the windshield. I have another dash, though, that I pulled out of a donor just to see how much of a PITA it was to do. Glad I did now.

I guess next is rolling the frame out into the driveway and working it over with the power washer. And try to figure out how to get the undercoating off. A heat gun has been suggested to loosen it up and then scrape it off. I've said it before, the guy who did the undercoating on this deserved a big fat raise. He was really good at his job!

Re: The end of the beginning. Down to the frame
 

Looks like a great body and a good start! I am so looking forward to pulling the body off my 72 4 Door Tahoe project once I finish up a few more suspension mods. I think I will cheat and roll it across the street and use the auto shops 2 post lift to separate the two then modify my blazer dolly for the Burb to sit on while the frame gets finished. So are you going to put the body on a rotisserie down the road or what are the plans?

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: The end of the beginning. Down to the frame
 

Go to a dollar store and buy a bunch of cans of oven cleaner. Spray your frame down real good and let it soak in awhile. That will help soften and loosen the under coating. Power washing should remove alot of it....but I think I also see scraping in your future lol.

Re: The end of the beginning. Down to the frame
 

don't you have a sandblaster in your area? I like "doing it myself" but a frame is alot of steel to clean and do it right? Hats off if you do it though, labor of love right?