Body off rest.

[SilverBullet]

Do you secure the body with a fixture when its off the pan? I'm concern that the body might warp a bit and might not align properly when joining it back to the pan. 1303 body. Thanks guys.

[LOAF]

Is yours a Vert or Sedan?

I am doing a vert, and am almost to the point where I can take off the body..
I have to drop the engine and it body off time.. For the vert it is highly suggested that you build and weld a brace.. that from my research..

Now I need a welder

ALex

[Racelook]

Weld 2 tubes from a-pillar to a-pillar (a-pillar is the pillar where the door hangs on) and fron b-pillar to b-pillar (so from side to side). Than you weld 1 tube from a to b-pillar on each side.

This will hold the body strong when it is going bodyoff..

I'm also in body-resto (now for more then 2 years )

Greetings Wiebrand

p.s. weld the tubes so low as possible BUT keep in mind not to low if you have to change your heatingchannels , etc.

[LOAF]

RaceLook thanks

I was planning on going front to back only but you set up seems much stronger.. Takes care of flex (side to side) and (front to Back)
Thank
Alex

[Bill K.]

I've taken my 70 bug body off without bracing. I've flipped it upside down to replace the heater channel bottom plates and trucked it to/from paint shops on a pickup. I test fit it on the chassis and it seems straight. If you are replacing the heater channel or have rotten heater channels, then definately brace it. The body is alot lighter when you strip it before lifting. Take everything off and two guys can lift it and put it on standard saw horses. It takes 4 guys and beefy saw horses for the full body. Things are so much easier to work on when the body is off.

Attachments are of inversion to remove heater channel bottoms and of the body on the bed of a long bed pickup supported by side rails over the wheel wells.

[MattKab]

Have you ever seen a pic of Bug having the body dropped on a 'pan in the factory?

I recall a pic of a 'fully' assembled body (a red one, doors shut) being lowered onto a 'fully' assembled 'pan on a line.

Each body was suspended by 4 cords, each being 'hooked' to a wheel arch!

Don't try this at home volks...Not sure every Beetle was handled that way either

I'd love see that pic again..

Matt

[boygenius]

I have seen that photo and others photos of emplyees pushing carts filled with hoods and fenders. If they only knew what they would be worth today they might have taken some home with them.