Disassembling my truck question

[jjlett69]

I am about to start the disassembly my 69 Short Bed so i can start the restore on the frame and suspension. The question i have is , do you guys think there is enough counter-weight for just the frame to support the motor and transmission without tipping with everything removed and frame on jack stands? I am talking about cab, bed , front and rear suspension and rearend. Reason being my buddy is using my engine and trans hoist and cradle for his project right now. i am thinking no, that i probably might have to wait, but i wanted to reach out and get your opinions. Thanks in advance for your time!

By the the way , got a ZZ502/aluminum heads with a TH350 if that helps.

[1971c10La]

I think it depends on placement of Jack stands just my opinion maybe someone else have better answer or they done it before good luck with your restoration

[chiefcfd]

Just place the front jack stands in front of the front cross member just behind the bumper. You should be OK.

[Grumpy old man]

Like stated above but use 6 jack stands , 2 forward of the front cross member 2 at the tail shaft of the trans and 2 further back .

[snipescastle2]

Ditto on what Grumpy said....
Ben

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

My second dumb question today, is there a problem lifting say the front end when the rear end is on jack stands, or vise versa? The floor jack is on rollers of course, but I'd like to be sure.

[mike16]

just be very carefull. and stop befor you reach that "tipping point"

[burnin oil]

Leave the truck a rolling chassis until the body is removed then disassemble it. This will keep everything nice and sturdy until the very end. Not to mention it is much easier to roll the truck out from under the cab and bed then lift up and over. A tractor makes that easy but I dought you will have that in San Diego. Better question is do you have enough room to properly disassemble the truck? It takes lots of space to take it apart and actually be able to work on it. I remember Cali being a little funny about working on things in the front yard/driveway.

[jjlett69]

Thanks everyone for all of the comments, sure does help for planning purposes. Not my first resto (Unibodies/Nova and Cougar) however it is my first truck so, yes I will have to get creative on space. So my plan is to remove everthing to rolling chassis, work on back 1/2 of frame and suspension first , assemble and by then I should have my hoist and stand back for motor removal and then concentrate on forward suspension and frame. And yes , Cali with home owners associations can be crazy on rules. I have a co-worker that is not allowed to even park cars in his own driveway overnight, has to be in garage or on street....

[burnin oil]

Some HOAs are just as crazy here. What might help you out is to leave the cab on the chassis and roll it back onto its rear. That's how I did my 4x4 so I could work on the bottom of the cab and paint it. I just layed a piece of plywood across the frame and you can throw a blanket on there also before rolling it back. This will allow full access to the front half the frame. Once done flip back on the mounts and you can do the rear half.

[davepl]

Nothing crazy about not wanting rusty old Chryslers up on blocks in the front yard... and to people that don't like trucks, everything looks like a rusty old Chrysler!

I'm the HOA president and our annual meeting is tonight, so just getting myself worked up :-)