Morris Minor Owners Club

So for one reason and another, I need to replace all nearside panels underneath, including front and rear wheel arches, sills, box plating etc... What I was wondering is, can I effectively lift the entire frame and roof off together, without having to take the roof off of the woodwork. The wood work is sound and only a couple of years old, the rest is questionable. Don't worry lessons have been learned !

Thanks for your help,

John

You can lift the whole lot off. I Removed the complete woodwork from one with a poor body to one with a good one. You need a few people to help lift it and I think I put some extra bracing inside. It was many years ago though

The rear unit was built as a complete unit that was lifted on to the rest of the steel work - some pictures of the factory show it clearly in a few of the books. You will have quite a few bolts to undo: All those that go through the roof join (remove headlining for access); those down the B-post (including ones hidden by the vertical window channel); rear lower ones that go through the boot floor support brackets.

We had to take out the rear ladder, (the coachbolts will be close to impossible to get out ) doors off to reduce weight. we didn't brace (ohh fun on re-assembly to come).

3 evenings of find the bolts / screws and 15 mins to take off when the rest out.

really is quite a simple construction when its in its bits.[frame][/frame]

Thanks a lot guys, glad to know it's possible. I actually had the wood replaced about 6 years ago so was really easy to get the coach bolts out. Looking forward to getting started in earnest. Still have yet to take the back off though! Never enough weekends and the term a month of Sundays springs to mind...

Pics to follow!

I might start an online blog thingy.

Right, well, on inspection, the other side needs doing as well. So I have now every intention of doing a chassis up rebuild. So I've got a mig welder and lots of optimism!

You'll probably be hearing a lot more of me![frame][/frame]

Oh dear! One bit at a time is the way to go. Don't bit off too much in one go, that way you can see each part finished and see some progress. It can all be done and at least the parts availability is very good.