Frame Off?

[rattbyte]

Howdy Campers!

Wow, neat info. I need to redo the frame on my 1967 1500. First clue: while loading on to flatbed, rear bumper and 1/4 of frame falls off!.

Big question to both Vikx and Neo, how the heck to you get the body off the frame. Not sure how body is attached to frame. Mobiltec says screwed from side (not down thru floor) of frame, but I can't see this/not sure how to look (peel up skin all around?)

Have a barn with a hayloft winch rated at 3,000 lbs. Just need to lift a couple of inches and have a car restoration cart I can set body back on after pulling frame out.

Just need to figure out how to get body off and up in the air 2" (after removing interior and running cross braces inside where floor would go).

Thoughts?

Read more: vintageshasta.proboards.com/thread/6862/advice-on-frame-issues#ixzz2UDzuEiNA

[Bob]

From what I've seen, most floors were attached to the frame with carriage bolts through the plywood and wood framing onto the steel frame. Crawl underneath and you'll see the nut and washer end of the carriage bolts along the steel frame members - mostly at the perimeter. You might be able to knock them off with an air chisel, if not, cut them off with a grinder and a cut-off wheel.

[rattbyte]

Yep! Thanks, saw the bolts. Here is the part I do NOT understand.

1. Numerous folks recommend replacing interior panels from the inside. Some say skin off. No one (that I can find) has said how you get the dang panels out in either case. From looking underneath as Bob recommended, the interior panels were sandwiched in between the frame timbers, then panels, then framing, then nailed in through the sides. The skin was then put on. So, the nails holding the panels in (and I am assuming the same basic situation applies at the ceiling as well) are not accessible with the skins on - no way no how. Yet if I remove the skins it seems I am in danger of losing the integrity of the superstructure, or perhaps the spacing of the holes between skin and framing.

2. Dilemma #2: If I cut the nails out from below they are the only things holding the framing to the floor and the entire trailer should collapse downward off the frame. Hmmmm, probably want to avoid that.

3. I am trashing the fake-o stimulated wood paneling in the 67 1500 and going with birch. Want to preserve the existing panels to use as templates (if that makes sense - obviously, with extensive repairs, eventual skin removal, etc. dimensions will change a bit). How do you even move the panels when there is only about 1/16th - 1/8th" margin to work with to move them off the walls.

OR do you just destroy all the interior panels during demo and then go thru the painstaking process of redoing them. Ack!!!

Previous experience, please weigh in before I paint myself into an ugly corner or collapse the entire project.

[Bob]

Hey ratt, do you have that Shasta hanging in your barn yet? As you found out, the walls were built as a unit then attached to the floor/frame. Option "Or" may be your best choice. Post a picture or two.