Frame off restore order of operations

[aklb43]

So its summer time and I'm starting back on my frame off restore. I have a rolling frame with with a wild horse 3.5 in lift. I've installed the brake lines on the diff's and that's about it. I also pot 15 the whole thing after a good sand blasting, including each leaf spring. We'll see how it goes.

My question is, what is the best order of operations? Should I put my body on the frame and begin body and paint work? Or should I put in the rest of the break lines, fuel lines, transmission, engine, wiring harness etc?


Dave

 

[TN1776]

If you have the ability to paint or coat the underside of the floors before putting the body on, do that. It is a lot more difficult to do a neat job of that when the body is on. I never removed the body from the frame on mine though people tend to think I did. I will say that applying the undercoating would have been far easier off the frame. I spent a lot of time masking to get mine the way I wanted it. Body back on for body work isn't too bad.

 

[Crawdad]

I'm in the same boat as you are. You are a tad bit further though. For you I would go ahead and finish the drivetrain, such as mount the motor, trans and TC in. Then connect the driveshafts. Hook up all the steering linkages. Run all the gas lines to tank. Run all brake lines. I'd get as much possible before putting the tub on. This is exactly what I plan to do.

As already mentioned, prepping the bottom of your tub is easier now with it off the frame. Make sure it's braced up very well. Heavy duty saw horses will help if you don't have a rotisserie. Just be very careful. Sandblasting is not out of the question for underneath, just be smart bc you still can warp a floor panel. With the tub off its also easier to replace floor panels. Get the underside of tub painted or coated, replaced floorboards if needed and put her on your rolling chassis. I highly suggest new body mounts.

 

[76Bronco302]

Don't even think about the body. Get the frame finished. Everything is so much easier to do now with the body off.

 

[marklc]

X3 finish as much as you can before putting body back on

 

[JAFO]

I worked on my body to the point it was safe to remove it from the frame. Now I work on both frame and body separately and it is very nice. I am building up everything on the chassis before I set my painted body into place (whenever I can get around to painting that is). It has been fantastic installing engine, trans and the like.

 

[rguest3]

This is what my Rolling Chassis looks like waiting for the body to get finished.

Undercoat / Paint the body prior to installing.

 

[aklb43]

Sounds like everyone is in agreement that i should get all the guts on the frame before I put the tub on. Along with that, set the tub up so that I can do a nice undercoating and replace floor panels, place on frame and finish any other body work.

Crawdad - I have a 1in body lift and new mounts.

Thanks guys.

 

[Crawdad]

Get the engine compartment painted or coated as well. It will get cramped to do anything once you get the tub on. No sense in messing up that nice finish on your frame.

 

[76Bronco302]

You could buy another frame for cheap and do body work on that. It would ensure proper fitment and selling it wouldn't be too hard. Someone will be needing it for the same purpose you bought it.

 

[allenfahey]

I would replace the floor pans and any other bodywork with the Bronco on the frame.

 

[76Bronco302]

I would replace the floor pans and any other bodywork with the Bronco on the frame.

Exactly. So either hold off on the frame and start body work or find a second frame.

 

[Blue Bastard]

Cool trick I heard somewhere along the line, once you have your chassis all done, before you set your body on the frame, put a nice heavy plastic sheet over it. Then mount the body on top of it. Then your rolling chassis is protected from overspray, sanding dust ect. Then once it is all done you just tear it off and all is well.

 

[Crawdad]

I am lucky by having a second frame. Once I get my drive train done it will go into storage and the tub will take its place on the rotisserie I built. I don't have a whole lot of space. L

 

[1owner66]

Cool trick I heard somewhere along the line, once you have your chassis all done, before you set your body on the frame, put a nice heavy plastic sheet over it. Then mount the body on top of it. Then your rolling chassis is protected from overspray, sanding dust ect. Then once it is all done you just tear it off and all is well.

Great idea, Blue!

 

[dave67fd]

Where your at with the frame, get it complete before tackling the body. No sense to go back to it.

 

[aklb43]

Sounds good. I think that's a lot of good advice. I like the idea of laying down plastic to protect it from the body work.

76bronco302 - the tub is already on another frame, so I'll do the body work on that frame then swap it over.

 

[Rick Harrison]

frame

I took my body off and iam going to complete the frame before i put the body on it will be painted and under coated

 

[aklb43]

That looks like some quality work! How's everyone go about making the supports that fit in the door so the body doesn't fold when its off the frame? Is there a template or write up somewhere?

 

[aklb43]

Ok, I'm here to update and get some advice on what to do next. I managed to get my engine out of my donor bronco and onto my frame. I got a c-4 and dana 20 from my other donor bronco on the frame. Rear gas tank cleaned up and mounted. Fuel and brake lines run. Steering linkages in place along with steering box.

Now what comes next before tackling the the tub? Here is my thoughts.

I'm going to go with a 2-into-1 exhaust, but think I'll wait until the tub is on to put it in place to get best snug fitment. The '76 donor also has a heat shield that goes in between the tub and exhaust.

I'll attach the drivelines for now even though they may need to be lengthened for my 3.5" lift. I wont know until the tubs weight is on the frame.

Has anyone done body work in the winter? Is it possible? I have one of those large tent like outdoor storage that I work on my bronco in. I'm thinking of getting a space heater to warm it up and do the body work in the fall/winter. Or should I just drop the tub on, and drive her around for the winter, then pull the tub off for body work next summer.

Anyways, I think I'm ready to start working on getting the tub on the frame or start the body work.

Any thoughts?