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Best way to do a body swap

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by dortoh, Aug 17, 2009.

  1. Aug 17, 2009
    dortoh

    dortoh New Member

    Palmer, Alaska
    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2009
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    44
    I have a 1966 and a 1970 cj5. Garage space is limited or it is out side in the rain. Neither body is great but I can only keep one so I want the 1970 drive train with the 1966 body. How does every one support the body to get the frame under it?
     
    Last edited: Aug 23, 2009
    dortoh, Aug 17, 2009
    #1
  2. Aug 17, 2009
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Aug 10, 2003
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    I've seen a Wagoneer body supported by sawhorses - should work for a CJ too.
     
    timgr, Aug 17, 2009
    #2
  3. Aug 17, 2009
    SIDSCJ

    SIDSCJ Jeep addict

    14th State
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    Jun 25, 2004
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    Saw horses work fine, that's how I did mine. My neighbor, myself and my 13 year old son swapped off the old tub and put on the repaired one in about 10 mins, once I had everything ready. Put the old guys on either side and he supported the rear. Any available overhead joists or other lifting points? Tub doesn't weigh much, hang the one you want from above and roll the chassis under it.
     
    SIDSCJ, Aug 17, 2009
    #3
  4. Aug 17, 2009
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
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    Sep 20, 2002
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    3,437
    Yep, sawhorses work well to work on/support a tub.

    We used 4 guys and long 2x4s (2 guys on each side) to lift and position a glass tub onto the frame one time, it worked easily that way.

    Hanging the tub and rolling the chassis under it works well too, as long as you have a way to lower the tub in a controlled fashion.
     
    Last edited: Aug 18, 2009
    lynn, Aug 17, 2009
    #4
  5. Aug 17, 2009
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
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    Sep 22, 2002
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    8,360
    The last one I parted out, I hung the tub from the rafters in the garage with ratchet straps. Worked very well.
     
    Patrick, Aug 17, 2009
    #5
  6. Aug 17, 2009
    kwilly

    kwilly New Member

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    May 12, 2007
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    17
    I used ratchet straps and a engine hoist, rolled the old frame out then sat the body on saw horses.
     
    kwilly, Aug 17, 2009
    #6
  7. Aug 18, 2009
    47willys

    47willys Member

    Austin, Texas
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    Mar 19, 2009
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    74
    Don't you have any trees you can hang a chain-fall from? Here in the South it is a status symbol to have at least one SBC carcass suspended in the boughs of the mechanical projects--shade tree--support system. Seriously though, I used a Harbor Freight chain fall and some rope tied to the corners of the tub. It was a very easy one man operation.
     
    47willys, Aug 18, 2009
    #7
  8. Aug 19, 2009
    dortoh

    dortoh New Member

    Palmer, Alaska
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    Jun 5, 2009
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    I think one of them will end up on saw horses and the other will be hanging in the air from the engine hoist.

    Does the steering column have to come out or can I do it with just removing the steering wheel?

    I want to disconnect as little as possible on both since one will be going back up for sale as soon as i get it swapped over. The other will become my daily driver :flag:
     
    dortoh, Aug 19, 2009
    #8
  9. Aug 19, 2009
    SIDSCJ

    SIDSCJ Jeep addict

    14th State
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    Jun 25, 2004
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    Removing the wheel on a Ross system CAN be a PITA. That and you have to lift the tub up and over the column. I find it easier to remove the column, its only three bolts on the frame and the drag link end. With the '72 I assume you have a Saginaw setup. I believe you'll have to pull that one.
     
    SIDSCJ, Aug 19, 2009
    #9
  10. Aug 19, 2009
    JohnyJeep

    JohnyJeep BLOWING A XING NEAR U@2AM

    Beautiful Cody WY
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    513
    I used an engine hoist and played around with mounting points where the body mount bolts are to get proper balance. I did mine by myself. Took the body on and off several times while trial fitting items (Chevy 4.3, YJ spring over conversion etc. )
     
    JohnyJeep, Aug 19, 2009
    #10
  11. Aug 22, 2009
    jasonjp62

    jasonjp62 Member

    Pennsboro WV.
    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2009
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    799
    I used long 2x4's and concrete blocks and floor jack. then rolled the frame out. did this also on a bronco II
     
    jasonjp62, Aug 22, 2009
    #11
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