Which body dolly is best? (pics)

[hitest]

[Starkey58]

Hi all does anyone have plans on the larger design? Or could let me know sizes

[toms64]

Hi Starkey58, I see the link to the large one on page one is no longer usefull but you can try using the term "body dollies" in the search forum that should get you a lot of hits. Im planning to build one eventually probably the large one......good luck!!

[63Ragtop NZ]

My dolly

I was worried I wouldn't have enough height for the shell to go over the chassis, as my garage isn't super high. Probably would have been fine.
As far as plans, I copied what people here had done before and just made it to fit my car. My 2cents, if you need to replace the channels, build a rotisserie. I need to replace/fix the rear body mounts and clean up the front mounts first, this is what I used the dolly for.

No way I was going to be lying on my back drilling out 300 spot welds!

makes a hard job much easier.

_________________
If you can't join them, beat them!

[fla2smoker]

Here is the new link for 66vwkaferresto's body dolly. I used this for the basis of mine a few years ago.

https://66vwkaferresto.wordpress.com/2011/10/17/body-cart-construction/
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View my 66 build thread here: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=507996

[EMPIImp69]

[fla2smoker]

[EMPIImp69]

[ping349n]

I just noticed that the first one in this post is mine! It's the dolly I built for the 66 I built. I still have that dolly (in pieces) but don't need it anymore now that I have a bus to build.
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1969 Deluxe "Grizwald"
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=633280

[Customalways]

Just built a dolly today using 4"x4"lumber and also used partial board to make the corner braces (the metal ones shown in the picture on this thread are available at home depot but they are about $2 each and you would need 16 of them so the partial board is MUCH cheaper and I think you get more support. Plus you need more than the corner supports so you would be looking at about $40-$45 in the strong tie metal pieces at home depot

I bought the 10" casters from Harbor Freight and like them a lot.
- Five of the 8' 4x4 $ $7.50 each = round up to $40
- 4 casters at $15 each = $60 (you could go much smaller if you are on concrete and in a garage and save about $35 but i needed large wheels)
- 1 sheet of 1/2" partial board @ $10
- 1 box of 3" (or 2.5") coarse thread drywall screws @ $ 7
- 16 5/16" x 1.5" lags @ .50 each = $7
- Total cost @ $160
- Super Super durable and if needed you can always recycle the 4x4 somehow in the yard

Horizontal 4x4 I cut to 66"
Vertical upright I cut to 2'
Lateral (front to back) I left at 8'
cut sixteen 45° braces out of particle board and measured them @ 12"
** I think the working height is perfect since I have channels, Firewall, and cross members to do but vertical uprights could be shortened down to 16" or 12" for someone who wants less height.

I will post pictures tomorrow when it is light out again.

[Customalways]

Pictures of recently built dolly

[fla2smoker]

[Customalways]

added a bit of an upgrade to my dolly incase anyone reviews this in the future. It is on my build thread (56 Oval First Time for Everything)

[13mmSpanner]

These all look great but how did you get the body off and onto them in the first place? Is the body light enough for a few blokes to lift it off the chassis and drop it onto the dolly?

[Dibaltic]

[13mmSpanner]

Once all the doors and fenders, deck lid and bonnet are off, how heavy is the bare chassis? Can 2 people lift it?

[Bama Dave]

[Evil_Fiz]

[13mmSpanner]

Thanks, useful stuff

[jellydog]

Yes, you can remove fenders, decklid, and hood to lighten the body up some too. If you're heater channels seem to be rusty brace the body before removing from the chassis.[/quote]

This is my first entry so I hope I don't screw it up. I'm getting ready to remove the body on my 62 sedan. The heater channel on the drivers side is pretty well roached and I've been thinking about whether I should fashion some kind of supports. I like the idea of a brace. What about welding in a brace between the two door posts? Any other suggestions appreciated.