Cab and body removal

[SteelheadJones]

Originally Posted by gnty

We've done it a number of times. As long as you have access to the body bolts (many camper conversions have a sub floor and cabinets covering them) its pretty slick.

Have you always put the original body back on? Or have you ever done a body swap?

Would really like to do the latter with my '99 7.3 but I've read a lot of cautionary tales that it's harder than one might think.

[JWA]

Originally Posted by SteelheadJones

Have you always put the original body back on? Or have you ever done a body swap?

Would really like to do the latter with my '99 7.3 but I've read a lot of cautionary tales that it's harder than one might think.

Here's one guy whose done as you're contemplating: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...on-a-99-a.html

The biggest issue is having the shop and tools to do this safely. While its not rocket science it's very useful if you have quite a bit of experience with the Ford E-Series in general, most specifically how the power train management components work together.

The link above takes one from the beginning to a finished swap, most every potential issue or problem discovered and solved along the way.

HTH

[allenl]

I'm contemplating pulling the body so that I have full access to the frame for some restoration work.

Any more info on this out there, or more pictures? How about lifting points for the body? How high do you need to lift it to get the roller chassis out?

[86Scotty]

Haven't done it but contemplated it on my last van. People who have say it's very difficult. You'll break most of the body bolts removing or have to cut them if there is any rust at all. Chris at Ujoint has done it many times and he talked me out of it.

[allenl]

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

Haven't done it but contemplated it on my last van. People who have say it's very difficult. You'll break most of the body bolts removing or have to cut them if there is any rust at all. Chris at Ujoint has done it many times and he talked me out of it.

Yes I'm sure it is a difficult project, it doesn't seem easy.

I'm not sure there is any way around it given how much work I need to do to the underbody. On the bright side, all my body mounts are completely shot too, so I'll be breaking all of those bolts free either way. I'm also pulling the water/greywater/propane/ac out for the other interior work, and the added complication of lifting the body off with these systems in place is a big reason why this seems way more difficult on a SMB than a cargo van.

I'm heavily considering paying a professional for this step of the rebuild, but there are so many other projects that I could knock out with the body off.

[Bbasso]

I've been part of pulling 3 bodies off/on...
it can be done quickly and rather easy when you are working with someone who has done a bunch-knowledge.
I wouldn't recommend for the shady tree mechanics, while some can getrdone, some will say mercy.

There is a surprising amount of frame/bosy access if you drop the fuel tank and trans. While that sucks, sucks less than a body removal. This can be handled by many.

[86Scotty]

That's what I wound up doing. I pulled everything to clean up the frame while doing a 4wd conversion, so tranny, front axle and all front suspension, rear axle and all rear suspension, tank, entire exhaust and shields, etc. etc. I'm getting tired thinking about it.

[mgmetalworks]

When I pulled the body for the Cummins swap, 4 of the 14 body bolts seized and had to be cut. Keep in mind the van is a '13 with less than 23k miles at the time. Body bolts seem to rust quickly plus they're coated with thread locker.

All in all, it's not that bad with a two post lift. Working mostly by myself, I had the body off in a day. No interior makes the whole process much easier.

[geoffff]

Originally Posted by JoeyNick

I found this link on another website and though you'd find it interesting.

It shows the body being removed from a Ford van for engine work.

The original Diesel Technician Society website is gone, but I happened to make a copy of that page, if anyone still wants to see... forddoctorsdts.com/photographs/index8. Key photos:



-- Geoff