body off frame fix

Hildy · 08-28-05, 02:42 PM

Time to start rebuilding the '88 in my spare time. Got the garage cleared out and plenty of room to work.
I have some frame rot and need to fix about the rear six feet. Front is in great shape.
Does anyone have any pointers for removing the body on a 62?
Its worth the fix because basically everything else is really nice, much better than my 89. It would be less work than swapping body/engine/tranny.
I think i need to remove the doors, hood, front quarters and rear hatch to lighten it up. Could me and a couple friends pick it up then? What all do I need to disconnenct besides gas, brake, shifter linkages?
I may even consider lifting the body or maybe soa while the body is off. Make those 33 9.5s look dinky.

Hildy

cruiser_guy · 08-28-05, 03:47 PM

I can't tell you rignt now but after the Thanksgiving weekend when I swap out the frame on my '82 BJ60 I'll be able to let you know. The guys that pulled the frame for me suggested that all the body mount bolts be liberally soaked with WD40/PB Blaster or whatever you like to use to help them come undone.

dd113 · 08-28-05, 03:49 PM

It really not that hard. Remove the stuff you said and just clear everything that goes body to frame, it takes a while to do. You might be able to lift it but I would paln on using jacks or a motor hoist.

Hildy · 08-28-05, 04:11 PM

Yeah, thats pretty much what I figured. I'm about out of pb blast so I can't soak the body mounts yet. I did loosen the one right behind the passenger side front tire, it was nice and easy. Hope the rest are like that. I got a 1 1/2 ton hoist that may come in handy if I can attach it to something. Im working in a quanzit hut, which is a dome shaped metal building. Our tripod won't clear the body, so we'll just have to grab and growl. Maybe jacks or wooden planks will make it a little easier.

I just took the hood, grille, valence panel and headlight doors off. Boy is it fugly up front. My little bro said it looks like a rover now, lol. The grille and headlight doors need a coat of black and chrome paint, thats why they came off. Would it be easiest to remove the front end as one piece? The front quarter panels look like a pain in the ass to remove. Let the fun begin!
Hildy

KLF · 08-28-05, 04:14 PM

Get sub'd to the 3FE list. One of the listers there just finished a total frame-off of an FJ62, it came out awesome. He's in Dallas PA, but just got back from driving it out to Moab and back.

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/3FE/

Oh yeah, be prepared to snap the body mount bolt that sits right below the driver's left foot. The heat from the cat bakes the nut on really well. Just break it and get another one.

cruiser_guy · 08-28-05, 04:14 PM

I was told that the mounts in the rear are perhaps the hardest to remove and apparently the bolts are captive so if you break them...

Hildy · 08-28-05, 04:51 PM

Thats funny, I've been driving the '89 to Dallas every day for the last couple weeks working on a cabin. Cost about 15 bucks a day when I first started working there, now 20 with gas prices. About 80 miles each direction to the job site. I'm up to 199,074 miles now.
I'll have to check out that guys resto and that board. Just what I'm looking for the '88 resto.
Thanks for the warning on those mounts too guys.

Hildy

archtimb · 08-29-05, 03:47 AM

I'm here. No captive bolts, just some that are more concealed than others. Don't worry about snapping the mounts. Just get new bolts and mounts from Roger Brown. You got a trailer? I've got lift!

Where are you working? My Son said he saw either a 60 or 62 two tone on our road. See you over at the 3FE list.

Mitch

cruiser_guy · 08-29-05, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by archtimb

I'm here. No captive bolts, just some that are more concealed than others.

Mitch

Are you saying that the bolts are the rear are not captive? Are you 100% sure? The guys pulling my frame seemed convinced that they were and that is one of my concerns for this fall.

Hildy · 08-29-05, 05:51 AM

I'm working in a little place called Center Mooreland, kinda close to Smith's country store. Sometimes for lunch we'll go to Hogan's Heros or someplace in Dallas. Thanks for the offer, but I don't know if I like the idea of long distance vehicle work.

Also, would this be a feesable option?
http://www.off-road.com/jeep/tech/body/frame.html

Hildy

archtimb · 08-29-05, 04:05 PM

Cruiser-Guy:
Yep. The rear sill bolts are behind the little sheet metal plate on the front side of the rear sill. Take the plate off and you can reach the bolt heads with a ratchet. Definately not captive. Perhaps just rusted in place?

Hildy:
Do you take the dirt road (Crow Hill Road) between Beaumont and Centermoreland? If so, you go right past my place. I might be around during the day on Wednesday...

I was not suggesting a long distance or long term thing. If you have a trailer, or want me to trailer it for GAS MONEY, I have a forklift and a shop with an overhead crane for lifting. Separate it here, SAFELY lift the body off, and trailer the remains to your place! Just a thought, lemme know if you're interested. My Son and I have separated four 60/62 bodies now. It is one thing to lift the body off by hand, quite another to put it back on! It is a chore even with an overhead crane.

Mitch

Hildy · 08-29-05, 04:34 PM

I'm actually working on Crow Hill road. Its the new log cabin being put up on the hill for Joe Dymond. I'm putting on the stain. Where exactly do you live at and when would be a good time to maybe stop by. We usually finish up around 4:00.
As far as the '88 goes, today I tore off everything on the front end. Now I need a couple of my friends to help lift the whole shebang off. I may take you up on the offer of trailering it, as I don't own a trailer. Hopefully I can do it myself.
Hildy

archtimb · 08-30-05, 04:47 AM

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