Thread: Body chassis Removal

I have not done this, and I am a bit doubtful whether it would be easier. Depends on the body type a bit, for example, how much trim, but also what lifting facilities you have. If the body is removed piecemeal, there is no need for any lifting equipment at all, as long as you have one helper. There was an article in LRO some time ago about doing this with a five door wagon, which is the model I would think it would make most sense, because of the amount of trim and number of bits.

However, it should be fairly easy, although I would remove mudguards and bonnet first - they come off easily anyway.

Having done that, you would need to unbolt the body from the chassis - rear cross member, under the rear of the seat box, seat belt mounts, and bulkhead - disconnect everything, probably easier to leaver the steering box connected to the bulkhead.

Problem then is how to lift the body as one unit without distorting it, as it is not very strong without the chassis, particularly in the door opening area. Also, you need to either remove the gear lever, or remove red and yellow knobs and juggle round the gear lever. But if you remove the gear lever, you need to remove the floor to do this - and then put it back to hold things together.

John

I have done this and with out a forklift it will be very hard

Take off front end and then un-boltall rear

I ran large straps through the body work and with tine extensions on the forklift picked it up from the rear.

If you go through the rear side windows it will damage the sliding part at the top but it can be easyerly fixed

Adam

As John said, attempting to move the lot in one piece presents a big risk of distortion. I've done a similar swap due to chassis rust, and you can do it by yourself - the firewall is a tad awkward..and heavy.

Anyway, good luck with it. I find doing this sort of job bit by bit the best way as you take your time and reduce the risk of damaging parts...and yourself.

Matt.

Originally Posted by mudmouse

As John said, attempting to move the lot in one piece presents a big risk of distortion. I've done a similar swap due to chassis rust, and you can do it by yourself - the firewall is a tad awkward..and heavy.

Anyway, good luck with it. I find doing this sort of job bit by bit the best way as you take your time and reduce the risk of damaging parts...and yourself.

Matt.

Thanks everyone thought it might be worth asking the question I do not have a folk lift, proberly being a bit lazy will remove the front panel then the fire wall and see if I can lift the tub and roof section as one unit. Otherwise is out with the roof trim and unbolt the roof. In a way you have to love the mecarno like build of sereis landy all nuts and bolts.
Garry