Body removal

[OneBadMudder]

Anyone know of an existing thread that details how to remove the body from the frame on a '86 CJ7 ? I'm planning to have the undercarriage Line-xed. Any thoughts, ideas, or recommendations on a business that would do this type of work for me to save some time? Thanks for your help!

 

[CJ]

Pulling the tub is just a matter of removing the mounts, electrical and cables.

Using the advanced google search ( http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/misc.php?do=page&template=advanced_search ) I found these threads.

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f7/takin-off-tub-74-cj-1956/

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f7/new-body-removal-10147/

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f19/body-mount-bushing-replacement-info-advice-7893/

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f7/body-mounts-way-13151/

Hope this helps!

 

[rr41mag]

Yep, just get after it. The wires are obvious. Speedometer cable. Take the shifters out, then just start unbolting. There are a couple hoses that run from the tank up in the fneder well too. Oh and start a build thread and post lots of pictures. We like pictures.

 

[sponge]

Those bolts have been there for 26 years...

Don't forget, PB Blaster, heat, heavy duty air gun with lots of pressure! Probably your saws all and a few blades too...

Start with the windshield frame, fenders, roll bar, and seat belts to find out how stuck in everything is...

Good luck!

 

[OneBadMudder]

Been in Afghanistan for the past 10+ months, and will be back in good ole' SC in September. The first thing I plan to do is remove that body and do some POR underneath the tub. Decided that this would probably be a better bet than the Line-x for the undercarriage. I'll still get the inside of the tub Line-xed though. I guess Remove Tub, media blast the underside, Prep, POR, Reinstall.... I'll definitely take a lot of pictures and chronicle the process. Maybe then we can get a good detailed thread up here for future reference. I'm sure it won't be too difficult of a job. I've just never taken the opportunity to try it yet. Any ideas of a good way to lift the tub from the frame after all of the bolts are out. Don't have a lift of any kind yet. I'm sure I could just get a bunch of friends to come help, but am interested to hear of any Jerry Rigged ingenuity that might help out too.

 

[sponge]

Several friends and a case of beer works well.

If you have a way to create ceiling mounts ratchet straps work

The best is build a rotisserie

 

[OneBadMudder]

you know of any good threads on how to build a rotisserie? Or know of someone who builds them?

 

[Incommando]

I used ratchet straps in an X across the tub and lifted it off of the frame with my engine hoist by placing the hooks where the X crosses. The tub now rests on 4 el cheapo harbor freight furniture dollies so I can roll it around the garage. I will use the hoist to lift it up one side and place it on saw horse oriented like in the pic above with a ratchet strap or two to hold it in place when I start in the floors in a week or two. It won't rotate like a rotisserie but it will be cheaper.

 

[OneBadMudder]

Now that's a good idea too. I don't have an engine hoist, but I could probably rig something in my garage ceiling trusses.

 

[CJ]

you know of any good threads on how to build a rotisserie? Or know of someone who builds them?

Car Body Rotisserie

 

[Dan86CJ7]

was curious, how where the bolts to get out.....did they break? i have a worn/loose bushing...tried to snugg the tub bolt for now...it was not budging!

 

[Incommando]

was curious, how where the bolts to get out.....did they break? i have a worn/loose bushing...tried to snugg the tub bolt for now...it was not budging!

At least half of my bolts broke and on almost all of the rest the captured nuts broke loose. IIRC two came out correctly. I had soaked them with PB plaster daily for 7 days prior to attempting to remove them. I was planning on replacing the floor anyway so I bought new floor supports, bolts, nuts, and bushings. A non-rust belt jeep may fair better.

 

[Dan86CJ7]

yeah was thinking on replacing the tub bushings,ect. figured id ask,but this is my daily driver and am totally afraid of breaking the tub bolts.....deff. a rust belt here!

 

[sponge]

I would plan on replacing all bolts, nuts, and bushings.

 

[OneBadMudder]

anyone know if it would be a good or bad plan to use an impact on the body tub bolts after letting them soak in some sort of penetrating lube for a couple weeks or so?

 

[sponge]

Soak, spray, soak again, start with breaker bar then go to impact..heat helps too. You will likely strip the head...some you will get out several will need ground off and drilled out

 

[tarry99]

If you can get a good impact socket on one end and are able to hold the other end, let the impact gun break them off. Much easier than trying to saw or grind the head off.