Blazer Tub off the frame experience needed

[jcfoote60]

I posted a while back about this but now "the deed" is getting close for me on my '69, that being, I am about to tackle pulling the tub off of the frame so I can start the restore on the frame. I looked on CK5 and saw quite a few posts about this over there ranging from 6 guys drinking beer and having a lifting party to blocking up the tub to using chain hoists or engine hoists. I tried searching here but could not pull up posts about the subject (used the same search criteria as on CK5..oh well). Anyway any advice and pics would be great. Also I am concerned about a couple of discussions over there about whether or not to leave the doors and top on or whether to remove them prior to lifting? The argument on leaving them on is for stability and making sure the floor pans and rocker boxes don't give. I do have fairly rusty rockers on the tub that I haven't fixed yet.

This is one of those topics that should have an FAQ submission...thanks for your help

[hotrodhomi]

doors on, top off, beers and bros. It helps if you can have a few guys pick it up and have someone roll the frame out. That way people don't need to walk and lift at the same time.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by hotrodhomi

doors on, top off, beers and bros. It helps if you can have a few guys pick it up and have someone
roll the frame out. That way people don't need to walk and lift at the same time.

[71RestoRod]

Here's a link to your previous post.. and another link with a few words of advice...

My 2c.. Beer and buddies is always good... but after they go home it's you that'll have to deal with the alignment issues. Think it all through before you get started.

Most important... take your time, have a good time and post lots of pics!!!

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=176647

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=178209

[Blazerb61]

I used a car hoist when I took my tub off seemed to work real wellstuck the feet between the frame and the body and up she goes

[jcfoote60]

thanks 71restoRod, did you use the rear seat bolt in locations for lifting the rear with your engine hoist, it looks that way. Also I am not clear on where you hooked onto the front of the body to lift it with the engine hoist?? I have a barn so I might be able to build a similar scafolding. With the 2 x 10's holding up the body did you have any concerns getting under the body to work on it? Or I guess you didn't have to, however I plan on doing the underneath of the tub and body before I lower it back onto the frame (once it's done)

[71RestoRod]

JC,
Yea, I used the center two rear seat mounting holes. They lined up perfectly with my engine balancer. I just ran a tow strap through the firewall on the front of the tub.

I would have had no worries working underneath it but there was no need at that point. Thing is, you can't really replace the rocker boxes, floors and other structural stuff with the tub raised this way. It's best to do that work on the frame, or with the tub fully braced on a rotisserie.

There are a a few more pictures of the tub off on this webshots site. Go to the second page and look at the album titled "Body Drop".

http://community.webshots.com/user/71restorod

[jcfoote60]

Excellent! enlightenment is a good thing...now I see what you mean and how you lifted the front. I cruised through all of your pictures and damn you did a great job on your Blazer! I want to do Vintage Air on mine too, so look out for me begging again for lessons learned when I get to that point. Your Blazer is just amazing, how long did it take you to go from start to finish? Some days I get overwhelmed at the work it's going to take, I can tell you. Did I see disc brakes on the rear of yours as well? Anyway your the best, thank you very much for taking the time to help me.

JC

[71RestoRod]

Thanks for the cudos, JC. It was seven years start to finish... but I rarely had more than a couple hours every week to work on it. Lots of little projects done one at a time. Yup it's four wheel disk. Thanks again for the complements.

There's a ton of folks on this board way more experienced than myself. Couldn't have done it without their help. Don't hesitate to post up your questions.

Resto

[vtblazer]

Never pulled an entire tub, firewall to tailgate but have pulled "just" a tub.

Door alignment is very important, do what ever you can to maintain it.
I'd leave the top on if your torsion boxes aren't any good also, it'll keep the firewall from moving/flexing.

[jhow66]

Here is one start to finish:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jason_burkhart/my_photos