swapping k-frame

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mopar_nocar

mopar_nocar

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I know what to unhook, do etc to drop the k frame. Here is my dilemma: how to lift the body of the car and drop k-frame, engine and transmission out the bottom. I do not, nor will I, have access to an automotive lift.

What I DO have is a gantry crane that has been tested up to 2K lbs, and I have been assured is good to 3k+.

So, how to I hook the body up and not tear it all to **** when I do this deal? Or does the collective think I should piecemeal it out one assembly at a time?

sb
 
You can use the front bumper mounting bolt holes in the front of the frame rails.
 
CudaJunction said:
You can use the front bumper mounting bolt holes in the front of the frame rails.
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That could work. Maybe make a sort of harness out chain to connect both sides together evenly and lift from the middle, using the rear wheels as a pivot point. Not too much twisting of the body on the longitudinal axis?

sb
 
Yep take off the front bumper and make a triangle bracket like these guys did.

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ditto, get that for $150. If you can weld and feel comfortable crawling under your work, just use that as an example and build yourself one. 150 is cheap, the 2 support bars probably weight 40 lbs a piece.
 
I have used a long heavy pipe/tubing under the frame rails in front of the k-member with a chain around it.
 
I used pieces of square tubing bolted to the dollies I had used to support the body. Everything was bolted together and then strapped for safety reasons. Although I used an engine hoist I think a gantry would probably be even better and safer. I just made sure I stayed as far away from the "setup" as I could and spent as little time under the car as needed, while it was up in the air. Safety first, safety always.

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I just put a strap around the front bumper but my bumper isn't nice and if it got scratched or dented I wouldn't' run cared
 
75slant6 said:
I just put a strap around the front bumper but my bumper isn't nice and if it got scratched or dented I wouldn't' run cared
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some of those things scare me, but I`m getting old and don't heal as fast as I used to.
 
U.S. Cartool makes a good tool . Make your own , I did , cost me less than 1/2 of what they want and I used all new steel . Had it professionally welded . Used an engine cherry picker . Outstanding results . Tip : I got everything hooked up , lifted car until the wheels were off ground , put a furniture dolly under oil pan , lowered car down so the weight was on the dolly , set loose the k-frame , raised cherry picker , engine , trans , "k" stayed on the dolly . rolled out the engine and set car on stands . Slicker than a snot on a doorknob .
 
Just watch out if using anything that lifts in a V fashion. As long as the lift point is tight to the radiator support, you should be OK. If you put anything that extends forward, the V pull has been known to tweak frame rails.

I used two pieces of scrap angle iron, 1 piece of square tube and some bolts. Works great and nowhere near the cost of that fancy stuff.
Liftingforinstall.jpg

Liftingforinstall1.jpg

Engineinstall.jpg
 
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