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Fri Jul 06, 2012 9:07 pm

I'm getting ready to remove the body on my '66 project. I've seen 2 kinds of body dollies I like. I'm wondering which would be best to copy. Any advnatage of one over the other? The major difference is the distance between the 4X4 posts that the body sits on - one is a little wider than the other, so one body pretty much sits on the posts even with the fender wells. Any opinions or advice is appreciated. (thanks to the guys whose dollies I'm posting pictures of as a reference!)

Body dolly A:

Body dolly B:

Fri Jul 06, 2012 9:35 pm

I am the one that build the second one. They are pretty much the same. I builds mine so the body rested on the heater channels with the ability to move the body forward and backwards to get to all the metal under the channels. Also I had to keep it short so everything would fit in my garage. I will say I like the wooden reinforcement on the top one. I tried to use metal brackets and ended up using additional wood supports. One more thing, get the biggest wheels you can. Mine are from harbor freight, they work good but it is tough getting back in the garage because the little step at the garage door.

Fri Jul 06, 2012 9:45 pm

Cool, thanks. Does your rolling pan fit underneath your dolly? I know those casters are rated for different weights. I'd better get something heavy duty, maybe rated between 750 to 1000 lbs to be safe?

Sat Jul 07, 2012 2:24 am

dolly A will leave you room to weld in heater channels if you have to.

Sat Jul 07, 2012 7:59 am

Luckily my heater channels don't need replacing. Any other thoughts out there?? Anyone?? 8-[

Sat Jul 07, 2012 4:40 pm

i have a lift so no need to roll the body over the chassis...just lift it up,,roll it outta the way and place it on a roller cart.

Mon Jul 09, 2012 11:01 pm

I opted for the longer version so that I would have access to my heater channels... I think either will serve your purpose.

Mon Jul 09, 2012 11:07 pm

If you decide the long version works here's a link to how I put mine together for a point of reference.

http://66vwkaferresto.com/2011/10/17/body-cart-construction/

Tue Jul 10, 2012 6:35 am

Cool, thanks for the link. That'll help. I'm also going with the longer version. Although it's going to be set on top of dirt (not by choice), so putting casters on the bottom won't help. Hopefully I get a concrete slab poured and I can then put casters on. Right now my work space is going to be my back yard, and I have one of those metal carports scheduled to be put up for my project.

Tue Jul 10, 2012 6:49 am

post some pics when you can.

Tue Jul 10, 2012 2:04 pm

Even if it goes on dirt there is a solution... below is a link to Harbor Frieght and the 10" pneumatic caster they offer. Just shorten the upright 4x4's to adjust for the added height of the wheel and you are set.

http://www.harborfreight.com/10-inch-pneumatic-swivel-caster-38944.html

Good luck!

Tue Jul 10, 2012 4:12 pm

I made this with my granddaughter, in about 20 min. Its the longer one so I can work on my heater channels and roll the pan under it. I added 2x4 gussets at each corner for strength and added safety . Not pictured.

Tue Jul 10, 2012 4:17 pm

I've run one like this.. never had issues. Even moving it, it never felt like it was going to fold over.

The problem I had before with legotech7 design was if those tiny wheels got into a crack and I was pushing it, the dolly felt like it was going to fold..

I then added braces and larger tires. MAN! Is it nice!

Tue Jul 10, 2012 7:06 pm

66vwkaferresto wrote: Even if it goes on dirt there is a solution... below is a link to Harbor Frieght and the 10" pneumatic caster they offer. Just shorten the upright 4x4's to adjust for the added height of the wheel and you are set.

http://www.harborfreight.com/10-inch-pneumatic-swivel-caster-38944.html

Good luck!

I thought about the pneumatic tires, but my plans are to put a concrete slab within the carport frame so I can use my jack & jackstands for the chassis...but it's still something I might try - thanks.

az67calbug wrote: I've run one like this.. never had issues. Even moving it, it never felt like it was going to fold over.

Thanks for the detailed pics & measurements. Looks very sturdy! I might have to "borrow" your idea! :wink:

Tue Jul 10, 2012 7:35 pm

Already put mine to the test. My garage floor has no cracks and I can do a 360 with it in my garage. But I agree I would much rather have the bigger wheels. Mine are 3 inches and work well...

Wed Jul 11, 2012 8:26 am

Man, I built our house and they said they would not put any expansion joints in.. But they did! I was so bummed. My neighbor doesn't have any and it's nice. That is one reason I went the 6" wheel. But yeah I can wheel it around even on the driveway with no problems.

Wed Jul 11, 2012 9:46 am

I have an older house...the garage floors have BIG freaking cracks. Some are about 2 inches wide in places - shoddy work when pouring the floor, I guess.

Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:24 pm

Can anyone give some measurements? One, the height needed to clear the pan. Two, width. Three, length to front/back of pan.
I think I would like to copy the one made of 4x4's that the black beetle is on but it looks a bit high.
I would hate to make it too high/too low and have to redo it.
Any info, thanks in advance.

Sun Jul 13, 2014 5:24 am

The one that you see with the black bug, is exactly like the one I made for mine. My granddaughter helped with mine. Worked out perfect. Can't recall the dimensions off hand.... But easy to build. you can build it High enough and wide enough to roll the pan underneath to save space while your working on your ride.......

Mon Jul 14, 2014 10:01 am

66vwkaferresto wrote: Even if it goes on dirt there is a solution... below is a link to Harbor Frieght and the 10" pneumatic caster they offer. Just shorten the upright 4x4's to adjust for the added height of the wheel and you are set.

http://www.harborfreight.com/10-inch-pneumatic-swivel-caster-38944.html

Good luck!

Just a note.....if your get these casters, put Slime in the tires. If you don't they WILL leak down (mine did) and you can't roll the dolly with flat tires.