Remove tub, or not remove tub...opinions?

Note: Please move this if it's not "tech" enough


Hey guys/gals...

Got to thinking tonight... It looks like the PO of my jeep was planning on removing the tub from the frame when it was parked, and I'm wondering if I should just go ahead and finish pulling it off to do the body work on it this winter. As it sits, it has no drivetrain, fenders, pedals...I think the only thing in the way still is the steering column. After that it's just the mounting bolts.

I think I've just about got myself talked into it...the pros seem pretty obvious: easier to install drivetrain, easy to clean/paint frame. Unless I have a way to move the tub around though, it might actually be harder to do the body work on it.

But here's the deal...I only have so much room in the garage:



If I kept the tub where the Jeep is now at the very back of the garage, I could (at least according to the tape measure) park the frame ahead of it. I'd be blocking the cabinet on the right...I set that area up as my "gun area" with a cleaning vise, reloading press, etc. Not really a big deal...I have less time to go shooting that I do to work on my Jeep.

Option two would be to keep the tub in the garage, and park the frame out back, and put a tarp on it. More room to work on the tub, but working on the frame outside in mid-winter doesn't have much appeal.

With the little time I have to work on this, it's hard to find help, so I pretty much have to do it alone. Not sure if pulling a tub can be turned into a one person job (at least with the room I have to work with). Anyone tried it? wonder if my roof trusses would support a tub being roped up to it . Would be cool if it worked, and um...not cool if it didn't.

The other big issue is what to put the tub on once it's off. I don't have the time or money to build a rotiserie. I've been trying to think of how to build a wooden frame or somthing to support it...what do you guys do? I guess I could try to find some 55 gallon drums to set it on or somthing, but I (obviously) would like as much room as possible to work on all areas of it. An empty tub is light enough I could build a set of Ron-style dollies to scoot it around. I guess I could always just tip it up on it's side to work on the underside of it. I won't have a ton of welding to do under there, but there will be some.

I was originally planning on not doing this, because if I do it's probably going to get more involved than I originally planned. I want to actually drive this thing some time next year. (Famous last words?)

I don't know...talk me into it or out of it. I'm leaning tward taking the tub off right now, but if you know of a reason not to, I'd love to hear it.

Thanks!

 

I just stood mine up on the cowl against the wall! I lifted it off the frame with a come-along, set it on the floor, lifted the rear and stood it up, then gently walked it over to the corner. Put a couple of 2x4's under it to level and stabilize it, it stood there rock solid for months.

Of course, I can't pick the whole thing up by myself, but I can rassle it around the garage pretty easy. I've got it in storage right now, and it's standing like that there too. Takes up approx. the same space as a 'fridge and freezer side-by-side, only taller.

 

I built a tub dolly out of 2x4s and 2x6s about 3' tall with castors at the corners. Worked great when I was done with the work on the tub I hung it from the ceiling joists and worked on the frame underneath it.

 

I kept my tub on a small trailer for the longest time. I then shuffled tub and rolling chassis in and out of the garage to make room to work. Also kicked the wife's Cherokee out. That did not go over well, but it gave everyone motivation for me to get finished R)

 

I put mine on sawhorses:

 

I had mine on sawhorses for a long time, then moved it to a small utility trailer to get it out of the way while I work on the frame. Easy, real easy!

 

You could probably go cheaper than this if you can find something used, or make it from scrounged parts: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=36331

Used utility trailers can be found cheap, if their capacity is not very high.

Put the body on this and you can move it around.

<edit> Oh, and lift from the ridge, not from the stringers (? I think that's the right term). Not sure what is best for pre-built trusses; you probably want to distribute the load over several trusses. The principle should be the same - lift from the highest point in the roof.

 

I built a wood frame to go on my triangular boat trailer and kept the tub on there until I built the rotisserie. The trailer was easy to move around by hand and kept the tub stored outside with a tarp over it to keep out the weather. Lots of good suggestions in this thread. Pick the one that suits you the best.

tommy b

 

I'd take it off. Easier to get to stuff. Storing it like Ron does is a good way to do it can even work on floors. Mine usually end up outback on saw horses, 'course we don't get snow here. A friend made a table for his when he took the body off. I have it now it's 3" x 4" made out of 2 x 4's with casters on the corners. Works real well. I'm wishing for a rotisserie like Tommy has though.

 

I like the little wagon idea...if I could find some wheels cheap enough it would be a cheap/easy way to scoot it around. And I had a thought this morning...I could run a couple of 10 foot 2x6s up across the trusses to spread the load out, and the run some big eye bolts through the ceiling and into the 2x6s. I would think with two parallel 2x6s across the trusses, with the tub attached at 4 points to the 2x6s would be plenty strong enough. I could use some cheap pullys to lift if off the frame and then move the frame out of the way. Then just put the wagon/saw horses/whatever I can come up with under it and lower it again. I wouldn't think this would be heavy enough to make a major boo boo .

I think you guys have me sold...the tubs gonna come off. I'll have to measure, but I think the ceiling is too low in my garage to stand it on end. I could roll it over on it's side though. I've got a big chunk of carpet I saved from our house when I put in laminate floors...didn't know what I would use it for, but I save a chunk "just in case" . That might be just the use I need for it. Thanks for all the great tips!

 

When mine is standing up, I think it's about 7'4" or so tall. Might need a little more height to stand it, but an 8' ceiling should be plenty. On its side would work too.

 

I weighed my tub when I built the rotisserie. The rear weighed 95# (no tailgate) and the front weighed 145# (no driver side floor panel) Hope this helps.

tommy b

 

When Firegod33 helped me move my tub last weekend, we couldn't get the trailer into my friends backyard, so the three of us just carried it across the yard and into the garage. It wasn't that heavy, just awkward. I think I probably weigh more than the tub.

 

WOW! That's nothing! I wouldn't think the setup I described would have any trouble supporting that kind of weight. I might have to pick up some 2x6s this weekend before my truck goes away.

I have helped move an M38A1 tub around, and I remember thinking that it wasn't all that heavy. Over lunch I was thinking about that little wagon to move it around...I think if I can find 4 large casters or wheels cheap enough I might build a 2x6 rectangle (add a couple 2x4s to reinforce it) to put under it to roll it around. Guess I better make room in the storage shed for the hood/windshield frame/fenders/grill .
And thanks, that does help.

 

R)
When I helped with the M38A1 tub there was only two of us. We just unloaded it off a truck and moved it out of the way. Didn't seem that bad at all.