C-2 EMERGENCY!!!

[`Michael Southard]

I am within 1 hour of lifting the body off my SWC. I noticed that the lifting clip (ZIP Products) according to the instruction said to place it to the rear of the door. I assume that is because it would be lifted "ON" the rear post.

PROBLEM... the "body extends below" the birdcage at this point by about 1/2". This is the area that is covered normally by the rocker molding. The lifting clip at this point would certainly break this piece of fiberglass off and maybe extend a break up into the body panel.

I cannot just slide the clip forward a "little" because the last molding mount clip hangs there. I would have to move the clip to about 4" forward of the doors rear seam (jamb). Is that to far forward to make my lift? It places the rear lift point at approx. 6-7 inches forward of the rear post!

Am I being to paranoid here? Do I have a real problem? I have a 4x4 frame set up on dollies that I could park my truck on, and I have pulled the interior except for the cluster. I am ready to go..... OR am I????
Mike S.

[Tracy C.]

Easy Michael..deep breaths...AAHHHhhhhh

Seriously, you are fine dude. Behind the "last" rocker molding clip is NOT where you want to be. Rather, put the lifting clip behind the "second to last" one. The people at ZIP are wrong again.

Be carefull and go slowly...

good luck,
tc

[`Michael Southard]

Re: C-2 EMERGENCY!!!

Thanks, That does make me feel better.
I really want to pull this today. It's my wife's 51st birthday and I want her to have the first pull on the chain. She got to rattle off the first body mount bolt also. She'll have alot to talk about in years to come when asked what did you do on your birthday?

That must be why Chuck kept reminding me to affix those clips to keep them from sliding! I didn't see how they could slide if they were up against one of the molding clips, but it does make sense now.

Mike S.

[`Michael Southard]

Best Laid Plans?

Well, I tried! It looks like I have to try to find a shop that can shorten my slings by 18". 10 feet is appearently not enough headroom to make the lift.
AAArrrrrGGGGGG!!!!!

[Tracy C.]

Re: Best Laid Plans?

I've noticed that mine are very long also. I've thought about wrapping them around a 2X4 a couple of times and secure them with sheet rock screws. If you put the board along the bottom, it will also help spread the load against the bottom edges of the panels. Use some carpet scraps or shop rags between the board and your body to protect the new paint when she goes back together.

Anyone have any other ideas that have worked?

tc

[`Michael Southard]

Re: Best Laid Plans?

Tracy,
I started to do that but the continious adjustment I had to make from one side to the other to get them even...then loose the adjustment when I went to the other side...Just got to be a pain.

I'm sure it would have worked if I had more people with me, but by myself there's to many moving parts I can't watch. SO.......
I did find a shop just a few blocks away that will shorten my slings 20" and it will only cost $32.00.

The bad news...I wont get them back until the 8th of Oct. Well after my vacation time. I keep telling myself, this is not a sprint, but a marathon.
I have plenty of time, in fact I have nothing but time.
Mike S.

[Chuck R.]

Re: I'll ask the dumb question

Can't you just take up the slack in the straps by putting several equally spaced knots in the straps until you get where you need to be? You could possibly gain 2" per knot.

It certainly won't weaken the sling.

Just an idea,

Chuck

[`Michael Southard]

NOT dumb at all!

Well, Probably... But that would go against every thing that I teach. See, I actually am a crane/elevator inspector and teach crane mechanics, crane operations, and crane rigging, and have for 25 years.

The principle behind slings and pendants is the fibers or wire strands being able to move to compensate for tension and compression forces. If one were to place a knot in the pendant or sling you would prevent this ability for the rigging gear to do what it was designed to do (Move).

That being said, I'm sure that there is a better than average chance that the capacity of the slings in this case would not be comprimised, and I'll only use them once before I sell them. But I spend alot of time investigating accidents and then having the poor guy who took the short cut tell me that it never should have happened, I've all ways done it that way!

Your question is not dumb Chuck, but I would sure feel dumb if I went against everthing I know and possibly had an accident. Or sold my slings to some one else after they had incurred damage here that showed up later in some one elses garage.

I can wait a little while longer... Thanks
Mike S.

[Chuck R.]

Re: I guess I walked into that one *NM*