Has anyone ever lifted the rear end up?

[Chris H.]

This may be a crazy question but:

I decided to do a slow restoration on my car, yet keep it drivable. No basket case in my garage for 5 years!

I pulled the engine/trans and completely redid the engine compartment and as far back as I could reach under the passenger compartment (foot or so). Including dropping/restoring the front suspension. Car was kept off the ground about 2'

Did the interior/gas tank compartment years ago.

What do you guys think about dropping the rear suspension and then dropping the rear frame so I can get a couple inches of clearance above the top of the frame? I would have the car about 3' off the ground. I forsee removing all the body mounts/ rear bumper, holding the body up, allowing the frame to lower slightly to jack stands. Frame is in very good condition.

[Paul J.]

Re: Has anyone ever lifted the rear end up?

What year car are we talking about, Chris?

[Stephen L.]

Re: Has anyone ever lifted the rear end up?

Assuming the car is a midyear....

By the time you get everything disconnected/removed to attain 3-4" of clearance you are very close to a body removal. Its a whole lot easier to do the cleanup on a frame and underside when the body and frame are separated, as in frame off..... Don't forget to remove the front bumpers and brackets as they pass thru the grille and bolt to the front fenders. Also the seat belt anchor cables, brake lines and cables Ground strap etc.

[Chris H.]

Re: Has anyone ever lifted the rear end up?

62, and the plan is to leave the front stuff in the car hooked up. I just want to get enough clearance to get a hand/wire brush between the frame and body. Closer to 2" than 3". Already restored/installed all the front bumper/steering gear stuff.

If dropping it is not really an option I will still do the same procedure and replace the mounts and do the best I can to clean up the top of the frame. Just wondered if anyone had tried it before and what kind of clearance I could get.

[Paul J.]

Re: Has anyone ever lifted the rear end up?

Chris, I understand what you're doing, but I don't know that you're saving a whole lot by not lifting the body. If I were going to do what you're suggesting, I would loosen or remove the other body mounts. But then you're at this stage...

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...80044&uid=2421

[Dick W.]

Re: Has anyone ever lifted the rear end up?

You will have to remove the front bumper braces and the take the bolts out of the core support to do this. By the time you do this, you are 30-45 minutes from having the body and frame separated. We have had the body off a mid year in less than three hours. Why not wait until summer ends and then remove the body and do it right