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Sun Jan 29, 2023 1:51 pm

For those here over 50 years old, how did you physically handle lifting the body off the pan multiple times for fitment e.g., heater channels, pan replacement, painting?

While I will construct a dolly system to suspend the body, I lack the luxury of (i) able body assistant(s) or (ii) a garage with trusses that will allow for a ceiling hoist without significant engineering.

Similar to this poster https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=708903&highlight=gantry my best option is the Harbor Freight gantry crane

Has anyone used this crane system and did it "do the job"?

Sun Jan 29, 2023 1:57 pm

Just get a friend and lift the body up off the frame. And get another friend to slide a 4x4 under each wheel arch. Support each end of your 4x4's on saw horses or whatever...slide the frame out from under...and you're done.

Sun Jan 29, 2023 1:59 pm

That gantry would easily handle the body lift.
They only weigh 350-400lbs. when stripped.

If I were using that gantry. I'd use a chainfall and some chokers (nylon slings) for lifting.
When I use my chainlfall. I use a 5gal. bucket to contain the chain. That way I reduce the chain to the painted surface contact.

Sun Jan 29, 2023 2:13 pm

braol wrote: Just get a friend and lift the body up off the frame. And get another friend to slide a 4x4 under each wheel arch. Support each end of your 4x4's on saw horses or whatever...slide the frame out from under...and you're done.

Wish I could. I live in southwest Florida wherein my neighbors are snowbirds (Canadians and Northerns) while I have nothing but time to work on my garage projects as I live here full time and retired.

Those I can tag have either a shoulder/labrum surgery under their belt and/or replacement knees or hips

Just like the old Bug, parts break on us baby boomers.

Sun Jan 29, 2023 2:39 pm

67rustavenger wrote: That gantry would easily handle the body lift.
They only weigh 350-400lbs. when stripped.

Thanks. My sole concern had been once the gantry is built and it didn’t do the job - my wife might use it to string me out - so to speak.

Sun Jan 29, 2023 3:17 pm

Semper Gumby wrote: 67rustavenger wrote: That gantry would easily handle the body lift.
They only weigh 350-400lbs. when stripped.

Thanks. My sole concern had been once the gantry is built and it didn’t do the job - my wife might use it to string me up! - so to speak.
Fixed it far ya! :wink:

Sun Jan 29, 2023 3:26 pm

Put an ad in the local paper for a couple of labors and get everything ready for the lift then pay them well and tell them you will need them again for reassembly.

Sun Jan 29, 2023 3:45 pm

Starbucket wrote: Put an ad in the local paper for a couple of labors and get everything ready for the lift then pay them well and tell them you will need them again for reassembly.

Or maybe post a help request in The Samba to see if there a some members nearby that might be able to come over to lend a hand? The only thing it might cost you is some beer ... and a few hours discussing the project plans with them. :wink:

Sun Jan 29, 2023 4:10 pm

OldSchoolVW's wrote: Starbucket wrote: Put an ad in the local paper for a couple of labors and get everything ready for the lift then pay them well and tell them you will need them again for reassembly.

Or maybe post a help request in The Samba to see if there a some members nearby that might be able to come over to lend a hand? The only thing it might cost you is some beer ... and a few hours discussing the project plans with them. :wink:

My other thought was search for a local VW club and reach out to them.

Sun Jan 29, 2023 4:35 pm

Starbucket wrote: Put an ad in the local paper for a couple of labors and get everything ready for the lift then pay them well and tell them you will need them again for reassembly.

I appreciate the idea.

Given my baby boomer age, retirement life, and faster pace getting this done, the cost to get the gantry cost is less expensive than a visit to the orthopedic surgeon.

I can use the crane to remove my Toyota FJ40 tub which is my next project AND I bet I will tackle another VW effort or two when this one is done.

Sun Jan 29, 2023 4:36 pm

OldSchoolVW's wrote: Starbucket wrote: Put an ad in the local paper for a couple of labors and get everything ready for the lift then pay them well and tell them you will need them again for reassembly.

Or maybe post a help request in The Samba to see if there a some members nearby that might be able to come over to lend a hand? The only thing it might cost you is some beer ... and a few hours discussing the project plans with them. :wink:

I appreciate the approach.

Southwest Florida is mostly old f@rts like me but a fair number will not want to turn a wrench these days.

Sun Jan 29, 2023 4:42 pm

67rustavenger wrote: Fixed it far ya! :wink:

For sure. My wife wanted me happy with a project. Retirement life sucks when you’ve spent your lifetime battling problems and building wealth for your last life chapter.

Now that I got my project, it is a great joy and daily mental challenge that I love.

I just can’t let the bug kill me

Sun Jan 29, 2023 5:45 pm

Get the gantry crane, you won't regret it. That crane you pictured will do the task many times over, handily.

I just pulled my fully-dressed 1965 body off its pan last week with a Titan Attachments half-ton crane and it was a breeze. I did buy a different I-beam for it and made some mods, then I used its original I-beam as a lifting beam and fabricated some lifting lugs and a hoist plate to connect nylon slings to. You don't need to get that fancy though, in fact you'll probably get criticized if you do :wink:

I'll be starting a thread soon in the 58-67 forum where I'll post pics of it.

Sun Jan 29, 2023 6:09 pm

Busstom wrote: Get the gantry crane, you won't regret it. That crane you pictured will do the task many times over, handily.

I just pulled my fully-dressed 1965 body off its pan last week with a Titan Attachments half-ton crane and it was a breeze. I did buy a different I-beam for it and made some mods, then I used its original I-beam as a lifting beam and fabricated some lifting lugs and a hoist plate to connect nylon slings to. You don't need to get that fancy though, in fact you'll probably get criticized if you do :wink:

I'll be starting a thread soon in the 58-67 forum where I'll post pics of it.

Thanks. I look forward to following your thread.

Sun Jan 29, 2023 10:18 pm

I don't know much about the gantry crane but I had success building 2 typical solid horses with locking wheels on them and lifted the chassis to the body using a jack and jack stands.

I can do this myself without relying on any help or another piece of equipment in a tight space. The bug me videos gave me the idea and show you how to separate the chassis from body using this method. It does take time to getting front bolts and rear shock body bolts lined up but after a bunch of times doing this method I got faster at it. You'll have to go back and forth with the jack and stacked wood on the jack (unless you have 2 jacks) and will still have to get underneath to bolt up. You also will have to rest the front on the bumper brackets (which I wasn't too crazy about at first) because you won't be able to lift the full chassis with the front horse in the wheel arch. Those areas will have to be solid and not rotted or weak. I don't have any transmission on either. All held up this way fine. Once bolted up it's easy enough to let the car off of the horses and down on its wheels and back up on the horses all by yourself. This system worked great as I just completed heater channels as well as front firewall repairs and rear cross members so I had to test fit many times. I thought it worked great. I also have a super beetle so not sure if this will work for standard. These are the best pictures I have to explain this. If I can find more I'll post.

Sun Jan 29, 2023 11:07 pm

Forgot to ask ...

Have you shown the crane idea to your shop foremen? It's always reassuring to get the wag of approval. :)

Mon Jan 30, 2023 8:44 am

OldSchoolVW's wrote: Forgot to ask ...

Have you shown the crane idea to your shop foremen? It's always reassuring to get the wag of approval. :)

Our "dropping" the engine discussion didn't go well - clearly not going to help besides stealing the red rag

He is too concerned about where he will sit in this Bug VS. how we get the body off the pan to attack the heater channel issue(s)

Mon Jan 30, 2023 8:46 am

Busstom wrote: Get the gantry crane, you won't regret it. That crane you pictured will do the task many times over, handily.

I just pulled my fully-dressed 1965 body off its pan last week with a Titan Attachments half-ton crane and it was a breeze.

After weighing the differences between HF and Titan - went with the Titan as it is a 1/3 of the weight and I doubt I'll need more than .5 T lift capacity.

Mon Jan 30, 2023 9:17 am

Bug me video shows using a jack in the car, with a wooden piece to go up against the metal inside of the cabin.
I used a engine hoist which I already owned. Hooked up to the front bumper, hoisted the front, inserted a 2 X 4 in between the tires and the body, let it down. Then did the same with the rear.
Used home made saw horses to hold it up higher if I needed to.
There are cheaper ways to do this, you just have to think outside the box and poke around on the internet. Big hoist looks nice, I just couldn't afford it, and had no place to store it after I was done with it. I have enough trouble trying to store my snow blower.

Mon Jan 30, 2023 9:33 am

bomberbob wrote: There are cheaper ways to do this, you just have to think outside the box and poke around on the internet. Big hoist looks nice, I just couldn't afford it, and had no place to store it after I was done with it. I have enough trouble trying to store my snow blower.

I agree with you on "outside the box", and would do so as a general approach. That said, I've put off dual bursectomy (shoulder bursa removal) surgeries to repair 35 years of rugby addiction (I'm in my 60s).

Besides saving me a painful recovery, the hoist will play for itself as I am replacing the FJ40 body with an aluminum tub this summer.

The FJ40's body is a bit heavier than the Bug's and the removing this rig's top will certainly make my orthopedic surgeon richer.