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In a few weeks I plan to lift the now completed tub (minus the outer panels) off the frame, paint it and store it on this dolly. The dolly is sized to allow it to span the rolling chassis. The dolly frame is 60 inches x 60 inches and is constructed from heavy duty strut that is used for commercial electrical and HVAC work. It comes with special brackets, 3/8 bolts and spring nuts that lock into the channel. With the wood boards bolted to it the dolly seems stable with me jumping on it but I'm less than half the weight of the tub.

 

My question is will I get away with just supporting the tub only under the area that comprises the inner sills and floors or do I need to add outriggers that extend to the rear and the front ?. The only purpose for this dolly is to store the tub over the winter while I work on the chassis and suspension as I dont have the room to store it separately. I have enough room in the garage that with the dolly shoved forward I can access the rear half of the chassis and with the dolly all the way to the back I can get at the front half of the chassis. It will be sitting on a level concrete floor.

 

Stan

 

 

IMG_1021.jpg

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Stan

 

I would have thought that if you keep the bracing across the doors it should be ok. Without the bracing you may get a bit of sag of the shell. I would also put some metal bracing under the front and rear wooden bearers to stop them breaking while putting the shell on and off the trolley

 

Cheers

 

Alan

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My body dolly trolley has three spigots each side which come up thru the body mounting holes, the centre ones are thread for a retaining nut, so that if you need to be a bit rough with the body it stays put on the trolley.

 

John Worthing

P1010584.jpg

Edited by TR24178
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Stan,

 

My bodyshell lived on a similar (but wooden) dolly with steel angle bracings across the top of the door apertures and diagonally across the car to stop it lozenging, for several months without any ill effects. Mine was bolted through the four chassis mounting points on the floor and had the added sophistication of a braced frame that extended up and over the top of the bodyshell so that I could roll it over (literally) to sort out the underside. I also stored it on its side for period of time - it takes up less room that way.

 

I don't know how much it weighed but I was able to manhandle it around my garage on my own and only needed assistance to lift it off and onto the chassis.

 

Rgds Ian

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Thanks guys for the info and the pictures. The tub is fully assembled with new floors and outer sills and I have braced it across the doors so I dont think it will move much. I wouldnt mind the RHS door gap opening up a bit more at the top anyway !. I have four volunteers who will come over and help with the transfer to the dolly and for subsequent manipulation I'm thinking of using the engine crane.

 

Stan

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That will work fine Stan. Just remember not to slide it around any when on the dolly as otherwise you will have to touch in the bottom lips of the inner rockers.

Stuart.

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That will work fine Stan. Just remember not to slide it around any when on the dolly as otherwise you will have to touch in the bottom lips of the inner rockers.

Stuart.

 

 

Good point. Hope your vacation is going well Stuart.

 

I have some heavy duty movers blankets that I plan to use under the tub once it is painted. This is assuming I can paint it this year as I'm once again running out of time..

 

Stan

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Thanks Stan, Neil & Den looking after me well.

Just make sure the paint is properly cured before resting it on the blankets as otherwise it may stick to it.

Stuart.

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Stan - What are the other two guys for ? It only takes two to lift the body and place it on a dolly. Keep the beer for yourself and your helper. See what we did with two guys lifting it, flipping it upside down etc. Leave the support that runs from the inner front wing to front wing across the top of the front apron. This will help with the lifting and flipping.

 

WE used a flat dolly you might use to move a refrigerator with the wooden out rigger laid on the dolly.

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It took four of us in 1989 to lift mine and place it all on the frame.

 

 

It is not so much the weight, just the size and the fact that none of us are getting any younger !. This is a big milestone, really looking forward to the day when the tub gets separated from the chassis. October will be the end of the second year into this project.

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When I put the body back on the frame I used an engine lift with a beam made out of a couple of 2x4s. The frame was on car dollies too but the engine lift gave lots of mobility for alignment and I had no problem doing the job solo. Make sure the carbs are not on the engine as it increases the space you have to work with. Cheers, Mike

 

BodyGoingDown.jpg

 

BackTogether.jpg

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When I put the body back on the frame I used an engine lift with a beam made out of a couple of 2x4s. The frame was on car dollies too but the engine lift gave lots of mobility for alignment and I had no problem doing the job solo. Make sure the carbs are not on the engine as it increases the space you have to work with. Cheers, Mike

 

 

 

 

Very nice Mike. I assume having the wheels on the dollies also allowed clearance for the crane to slide under.

 

Where did you attach the chains at the front ?. That front end is pretty flimsy with the wings and apron removed so I'm reluctant to try and lift it too far ahead of the bulkhead..

 

Stan

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Having the dollies made moving the chassis around easier. I think the engine hoist would have fit under without the chassis on the dollies, but it did not hurt to have the extra clearance. I attached the chains at the front to a couple of pieces of angle iron bolted into the spots the hood fasteners attach. Used rubber strip under to avoid marking paint. I found that the front was pretty solid with the cross piece in place, plus the body is not very heavy. With the doors braced and the cross piece in place on the front inner fenders I did not have any issues with body flex. Just my experience of course, and better to be safe than sorry if you are at all concerned. Cheers, Mike

 

FrontMounts.jpg

 

ChainAttached.jpg

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Having the dollies made moving the chassis around easier. I think the engine hoist would have fit under without the chassis on the dollies, but it did not hurt to have the extra clearance. I attached the chains at the front to a couple of pieces of angle iron bolted into the spots the hood fasteners attach. Used rubber strip under to avoid marking paint. I found that the front was pretty solid with the cross piece in place, plus the body is not very heavy. With the doors braced and the cross piece in place on the front inner fenders I did not have any issues with body flex. Just my experience of course, and better to be safe than sorry if you are at all concerned. Cheers, Mike

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks Mike. It looks like you had the front fenders fitted too which would add some extra stiffness to the front for the lift.

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FWIW I fit a piece of 2" wide X 1/4" thick bar bolted across between the horn mounting holes on the inner wing boxes as well as the main cross bar. This will help to keep the front inners aligned even without the wings on. Obviously thats without the engine in.

Stuart.

Edited by stuart
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The photo of us lowering the body onto the frame was done in the driveway in front of my house on the afternoon of New Years Eve in 1989. That's me at the boot end, We had quite a celebration.

 

Here we see the tub on the dolly ready for assembly onto the frame a few minutes before the photo above.

 

Don't you get snow in Hertfordshire ?

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The photo of us lowering the body onto the frame was done in the driveway in front of my house on the afternoon of New Years Eve in 1989. That's me at the boot end, We had quite a celebration.

 

Here we see the tub on the dolly ready for assembly onto the frame a few minutes before the photo above.

 

Don't you get snow in Hertfordshire ?

 

 

 

 

HEREFORDSHIRE!! Don.

 

A very different place, we talk proper and drink cider!

 

Yes of course it snows, this is 2010

P1000261.jpg

Edited by TR24178
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  • 2 months later...

Here's a how my dolly system is working out. I wish I had used bigger casters but overall I'm pleased with how well it works. Also in this picture is my painted frame and my rusty rear axle, soon to be a shiny black rear axle with new seals and brakes.

 

DSC_0024.jpg

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