Old Guy(s) "Body" Lift Question

[Semper Gumby]

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"?
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"If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?" - John Wooten

[braol]

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.
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In order: '31 Ford, '69 Ford F100, '74 Super, '91 964

[67rustavenger]

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.
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I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!
2003 Astrovan? GFYS again, Xevin!
Don't let your bad ideas remain, ideas!

[Semper Gumby]

[Semper Gumby]

[67rustavenger]

[Starbucket]

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.

[OldSchoolVW's]

[Starbucket]

[Semper Gumby]

[Semper Gumby]

[Semper Gumby]

[Busstom]

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

I'll be starting a thread soon in the 58-67 forum where I'll post pics of it.
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My name's Steve and it's pronounced "Bust 'em" (cuz people think I'm Tom)

[Semper Gumby]

[Jhp212]

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.
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1971 Super Beetle

[OldSchoolVW's]

Forgot to ask ...

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

"Following distance is proportional to IQ."

"It's okay to think."

"If you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do." Warren Miller

'63 Beetle Sedan
'69 Beetle Sunroof
'70 Beetle Sedan
'73 Type 3 Fastback

[Semper Gumby]

[Semper Gumby]

[bomberbob]

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.
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1968 Beetle torn apart again
1990 Jetta GLI megasquirted, burning E85 (currently in storage)
2004 Jetta turbo GLI
Marion, Iowa

[Semper Gumby]