Lifting the body off a 1982

[JeffP1167]

I am going to start with parting this 82 out. Just how hard is it to lift the body off the frame? What exactly needs to be removed/unbolted to do this? If the doors are closed will this keep the convertible body braced enough?

As for cutting up the frame, will a sawz-all cut through the frame fairly easy?

What parts from the car are worth anything and what parts should I just toss in the dumpster?

I plan on keeping the rear suspension complete with a section of the rear frame for easier shipping of the unit. Is 650.00 a fair deal for the complete rear?

Should I keep large sections of the frame for people looking for rust repair sections?

what about the body parts from the car should I just cut them at the bonding strip area or keep the front/rear clips complete?

I never got into C3's that much but can some of you post a reasonable price for most of the parts from this car since I have no idea what anything on it is worth.

 

[BBShark]

An 82 convertible? If this conversion is complete and done well, I would try to sell the body complete.

 

[mrvette]

Hate to see a complete MOSTLY RUST FREE, (IF it IS that) frame cut up, these are getting harder and harder to come by, but expensive to ship....lotta guys without the welding talent to put it back together once it's sectioned....

I remember working on a '72 we changed the whole frame out in about 3 days....in fact it was only ME doing the work, the vette shop owner looking over my shoulder, it was a front end collision, even then the repairs were done beautifully by the body/vette shop previous, but they patched the hell outta that frame, what a mess it was....but that back 1/2 was perfect rust free....

You even had the Hardtop to that, NO? isn't it the one with the gray primer body and a hard top setting on it?? that looked like a good complete conversion....hate seeing that go to parts...:crap::drink::gurney:

 

[Jclgodale3]

An 82 convertible? If this conversion is complete and done well, I would try to sell the body complete.

I agree. Do you have any pictures? Where are you located?

 

[JeffP1167]

I think the convertible parts are worth more selling seperately then as a complete body. None of the convertible parts are aftermarket they are original GM parts. 100% rust free sold new in texas then came to california. I've looked in the basic areas where vettes normally rust and this one doesn't wven have any surface rust in those areas.

So as I understand it there are like 6 body mounts, steering column, brake system, shifter cable, parking brake cable, electrical harnesses ETC. that need to be disconnected prior to body lift.

I wish I could get better picts of everything but the 90 vette is parked behind it and didn't want to move both cars.

It does have polished wheels, vert windows, hard top is date 1971, pretty nice rear bumper, all suspension parts are nice.

Or is now the way the economy is not the best time to part it out?

the motor is being traded

I understand the rear glass from the top is in demand since they are not made anymore. Mine seems to be the original glass as well.

 

[mrvette]

Hate to see that parted out, stick a addy on Craigslist and whoever buys it can join here for the build advice.....:harhar::friends:

 

[damoroso]

I agree with most, hate to see this parted out. If you must, the trans cross memeber is a one year only design so it has some desirability. It can be used to swap 200/700 transmissions into older cars. I looked all over the place for one when I did my swap and couldn't find one. I ended up modding my original piece.

 

[JeffP1167]

I agree with most, hate to see this parted out. If you must, the trans cross memeber is a one year only design so it has some desirability. It can be used to swap 200/700 transmissions into older cars. I looked all over the place for one when I did my swap and couldn't find one. I ended up modding my original piece.

What needs to be changed on a 1981 to accept all the 700r4 stuff? I have a guy who has been asking me about all the parts to do a 700 conversion in his 1981. will like my dana44 drive shaft mount to the differential in his car? Are there any trans tunnel clearance issues? will the 700 shifter mount like his turbo350 shifter?

 

[JeffP1167]

Hate to see that parted out, stick a addy on Craigslist and whoever buys it can join here for the build advice.....:harhar::friends:

California is a hard state to sell cars because you are stuck smogging them for one and I don't have the time to deal with that. I basically just want the stuff gone so I can get my 90 in the garage.

 

[Twin_Turbo]

Jeff, hold on....shoot Joop an email, he doesn't know you have this. Maybe he's interested in the whole thing.

 

[JeffP1167]

Sorry marck, the engine and trans have pending deals.

 

[JeffP1167]

Doors are back on it though.

 

[Ozzy]

Hate to see that parted out, stick a addy on Craigslist and whoever buys it can join here for the build advice.....:harhar::friends:

I basically just want the stuff gone so I can get my 90 in the garage.

that being the case, I'll be right over to load it up and get it out of your garage. I'll even leave you a nice crisp $100 green back to say thanks!

 

[damoroso]

I'm not sure about the shifter mount, the 350 mount likely needs some modification because I don't think the bolt spacing is the same on the pans of the 350 and 700. I do know the cross member and drive shaft have to be modified, the shaft is shorter with the 700. There shouldn't be any clearance issues, and it will bolt up to the engine. To verify the drive shaft will fit the pinion yoke, I'd look at what U-joints are called for in each car, I'm reasonably sure the drive shaft is a bolt in though. He could use the shifter from inside the car as the 81 shifter won't reach 1st gear without a small modification and the shifter lens only shows 1-2-3 on the 81.

 

[JeffP1167]

Hate to see that parted out, stick a addy on Craigslist and whoever buys it can join here for the build advice.....:harhar::friends:

I basically just want the stuff gone so I can get my 90 in the garage.

that being the case, I'll be right over to load it up and get it out of your garage. I'll even leave you a nice crisp $100 green back to say thanks!

I will have to pass on your "overly generous offer" I think I would be taking advantage of you for letting the car go for that much.

 

[82Vettester]

So if someone was to buy what’s left of the Vette, you could get it out of your garage and not have to spend a boat load of time in disassembly and shipping. My budget’s not in the greatest shape, but maybe we can work something out. I’ll send you a PM

 

[JeffP1167]

So if someone was to buy what’s left of the Vette, you could get it out of your garage and not have to spend a boat load of time in disassembly and shipping. My budget’s not in the greatest shape, but maybe we can work something out. I’ll send you a PM

Sorry I honestly don't feel like selling the whole car. I'm only interested in selling the suspension, engine, rearend, trans, rims, convertible parts. After that whats left goes to the crusher.

 

[enkeivette]

So if someone was to buy what’s left of the Vette, you could get it out of your garage and not have to spend a boat load of time in disassembly and shipping. My budget’s not in the greatest shape, but maybe we can work something out. I’ll send you a PM

Sorry I honestly don't feel like selling the whole car. I'm only interested in selling the suspension, engine, rearend, trans, rims, convertible parts. After that whats left goes to the crusher.

What a waste of a classic custom. Too bad it had to end up in the hands of a greedy owner who wants to destroy it just to make a profit. Enjoy your slow and boring C4.

 

[JeffP1167]

So if someone was to buy what’s left of the Vette, you could get it out of your garage and not have to spend a boat load of time in disassembly and shipping. My budget’s not in the greatest shape, but maybe we can work something out. I’ll send you a PM

Sorry I honestly don't feel like selling the whole car. I'm only interested in selling the suspension, engine, rearend, trans, rims, convertible parts. After that whats left goes to the crusher.

What a waste of a classic custom. Too bad it had to end up in the hands of a greedy owner who wants to destroy it just to make a profit. Enjoy your slow and boring C4.

Here we go !!!!!!! I was wondering who was going to get bent out of shape. Don't think of it as ruining a classic, rather keeping other classics on the road! You have to understand after borrowing a friends 90 vette for 3 weeks and enjoying everything about it, I was hooked on it! Trust me I had a great time driving this 82 but the 90 is a real world class car that does everything better and suites my purposes better.

You have your tastes and I have mine, Besides it was my ex-wifes car and I have no reason to rebuild it. I have a son that takes up all my time and thats a priority over a car anytime of the day! I think it's safe to say if you were in my shoes, you would do the same and get rid of headaches that only complicate your life.

 

[enkeivette]

So if someone was to buy what’s left of the Vette, you could get it out of your garage and not have to spend a boat load of time in disassembly and shipping. My budget’s not in the greatest shape, but maybe we can work something out. I’ll send you a PM

Sorry I honestly don't feel like selling the whole car. I'm only interested in selling the suspension, engine, rearend, trans, rims, convertible parts. After that whats left goes to the crusher.

What a waste of a classic custom. Too bad it had to end up in the hands of a greedy owner who wants to destroy it just to make a profit. Enjoy your slow and boring C4.

Here we go !!!!!!! I was wondering who was going to get bent out of shape. Don't think of it as ruining a classic, rather keeping other classics on the road! You have to understand after borrowing a friends 90 vette for 3 weeks and enjoying everything about it, I was hooked on it! Trust me I had a great time driving this 82 but the 90 is a real world class car that does everything better and suites my purposes better.

You have your tastes and I have mine, Besides it was my ex-wifes car and I have no reason to rebuild it. I have a son that takes up all my time and thats a priority over a car anytime of the day! I think it's safe to say if you were in my shoes, you would do the same and get rid of headaches that only complicate your life.

No, I would sell it and not chop it. Spend less time trying to pull an extra couple hundred bucks out of the car by pulling the body off and the entire rearend out, sell the car whole, and spend more time with your son. Win win.