Separate body from frame...on lift

[Ict57]

Doors, front clip, roof, still installed, but no motor/trans/steering/interior (just rusty bolts & rotted fuel filler hose holding it all together...and gravity).

Any suggestions on using a 4-post lift to pull the body? My goal is separate the two, but maintain the body on the lift platform then put the rolling chassis underneath, so it only takes up one space in garage, AND I can paint underside of body easily. My plan?

1. Put truck on the 4-post platform
2. Separate body from frame
3. Jack up the body and use cinder blocks and beams to support the now-separate body (hopefully one behind rear wheel and another near the cowl)
4. Lower the frame, push it out, raise the lift and properly support the body so it can be cleaned up, painted, etc.

I've done this before on old cars, but never on a Bronco

Concerns with body (intact) needing additional support? Is it likely to buckle anywhere?

Suggestions on support points?

Is this a generally terrible idea?

PS--I tend to work solo. If it's too dumb, I can always recruit buddies...but I don't much like people and tend to work at midnight when kids are in bed.

 

[mebco09]

I am in the same boat. Interested to see how this might work. I have a 4 poster also. I don't see a way to get the body high enough to get the frame underneath... Are you talking about connecting the bronco to the bottom of the lift, while the lift is at/near the top of its stroke?

I don't see a good way to do this with my 4 poster.

 

[Speedrdr]

My first thought was to take motor stands and bolt to body front and back and make a rotisserie...then I realized I was gonna bolt to frame and you’re wanting to separate the two. I’m gonna have to look at mine tomorrow (I’m my spouse will let me drive) and see if there’s a way to mount to the body instead of the frame.
Whatever you do, you will get a heap of weight off if you remove the top.
Randy

 

[cldonley]

I would suggest bracing the doors. Even with a super-solid body, I would expect it to sag there with only the rockers to keep things straight.

 

[Ict57]

Quick update, decided it was too much effort/risk to do it taste originally planned.

Instead, I built a wood structure to remove/distribute the force of lifting at front of rockers under firewall and used a few 2x6’s behind rear axle, parked under 4-post lift platform, and used heavy duty ratchet straps to mount to lift platform. Then used the lift to pull it off the frame, slid out the chassis, dropped body on some dolly’s. After scooting body out from underneath the lift, I dropped lift and slid body back onto the lift.

Did it all solo in about 3-4 hours. I’m sure y’all have a much better way of doing this but it worked great. Also notable, I didn’t end up bracing anything and it was very solid. Body lines are same now as they were before.

 

[Ict57]

Oh yeah, I do have a taller than average lift, recall it goes to 83” or so. However I should note that I yanked off the wheels and put lift on dollys to remove from under the truck. Had plenty of clearance.

And of course this was with the roof etc on. For reinstall, I may have to pull doors and top, drop the windshield and brace the door openings. I fear it’ll be right to clear the engine with the efi.

 

[Ict57]

 

[Ict57]