tips on removing body from frame with drivetrain installed

[usetaboost]

Pretty much what it is. What all needs to be removed and what can stay, not just the obvious stuff? Is it easier to pick the shell up and move it away from the frame or set it up on blocks and roll the frame out. First time doing this and wanna do it right. Couldn't find what I was looking for on search. I have the inside pretty much stripped and will most likely be pulling the doors and trunkdeck off to lighten it up.

 

[kh440]

depends on your definition of obvious: fuel tank will need to come down, unplug or remove tail light harness, disconnect engine harness, parking brake cable (at the pedal), muffler/tailpipe hangers, shifter cable and I'm sure I'm overlooking something. Definitely leave the windshield in and once the doors are removed you may want to consider tack welding some bars diagonally across the door openings: especially if it is a t-top car. 3-4 people can lift and carry the body easily.

 

[usetaboost]

If I put some backseat braces in before I take the doors off then remove the doors will that be enough reinforcement? I was wanting to completely gut the shell minus the front and back windows, unless there is some rust underthere. It kinda looks like I might have some surface by the windshield but don't know about the back yet. I planned on having the windshield replaced with oe glass if its still available. Maybe leave the front and back windows in until I set it back on the frame? I was planning on replacing some rusted floor spots and por15 or equivelent the entire underneath adn try to clean the frame up the best I can and paint it, remove rear end adn arms, paint those maybe. Just trying to do this car the best I can in my garage with what money I'll have. Not trying to make this a multiple question thread but I haven't replaced the lower a-arm bushings, did the top though. Shuold I do these before I pull thebody off or does the weight issue not matter? Trying to do a restification if you will.

 

[turbofish38]

You should be able to lift the tub off the frame using a sling. Use the seat belt anchor bolt holes as an attachment point for the sling. If you lift using the floor pan as the support than you shouldn't have to worry to much about the body flexing. They use this method on Corvettes. I've never done it to a G-body. We all know(I do anyway) about the sail panel and roof cracks on these cars so I would imagine you'd want to brace the tub somehow to keep this from happening.

 

[usetaboost]

Oh the cracks are already there! I didn't even have stress cracks this bad on my camaro. The car feels like its pretzeling when the boost comes up. I think I'll just try getting some people over here to help me lift when the time comes unless it is truly that heavy. I might leave the doors on and put in backseat braces just for extra insurance and see how heavy it is and go from there. So gas tank, front clip, brake cable, the rest should come out when I gut the shell I think. Don't seem like too bad of a job, just gotta get started on it. That slow-ass trans am has been taking up too much of my time and $$, LOL! I still can't figureout how to get that stupid trim piece off for the headliner that runs along the windshield. How the hell does that come off?