Best way to clean up undercarriage?

[Jc.av8r]

As the title suggests - without removing the tub or getting the car on a lift, what is the best and or easiest way to effectively clean up the undercarriage of these cars? Removing surface rust, sludge, grime, etc. etc.

I'm sure some POR 15 prep and paint would do wonders, but cant imagine how difficult that would be laying on my back under the car. Probably not the best idea to try and do it that way.

 

[broncoman82]

As I am about to do the same, I would like to know also. I am in the same boat as you, no vehicle lift and will be doing this body on frame.

 

[Blue Bastard]

Oven cleaner is a good first step cleaning agent. That sh*t will get most of the heavey grime off. As far as rust and scale, there is no other way then some crappy clothes,eyeprotection and a resperator and start scrubbing. I used a assortment of wire wheels and grinders. I used a brush on product. It worked very well and was self leveling so there is very little brush marks. Also by brushing on you can control where it goes IE no overspray on truck and its surroundings. Heres a little tip, POR and like products DO NOT come off skin with out scrubing and nasty chemicals. Have fun!

 

[spap]

Grinder with a wire brush on it, take forever. Good thing about the PO never fixing oil leaks is the the dirt and oil combo about a 1/4 inch thick really protected the paint. I used oven cleaner, a steam cleaner, power washer and the only thing that did was the wire brush. Have fun.

 

[Jc.av8r]

You guys using pressure washers...did you have the car up on a lift or what? How did you properly rinse off the cleaning chemicals?

 

[wepuckett]

If you have an engine hoist there are several suggestions on how to brace the body so you can lift it off with an engine hoist and just roll the frame out from under the body

Here is a link where he built his own body rack once it was off so set it down on something
classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=233420&highlight=body

Here are a few for bracing the body
classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=238504

well looking at them again they both build thier own version of body carts to put the body on once they remove it just one seems to be from wood and one from metal take your pick based on the tools you have.