9 replies to this topic

[newenglandmini]

I'm planning to build a body shell dolly.  I've seen several that comprise 2X4 lumber and casters.  Does anyone have plans or images of one for reference?

 

I looked at this Habor Freight caster.  Very heavy duty with pnuematic tires.

 

http://www.harborfre...ster-38944.html

 

[Minilegs]

This is mine. I built it from mainly 3x2, salvaged from some large pallets, and I used some wheels that were lying around at work. The wheels are the solid rubber type, and all non swivel, I just steer with a big bit of wood if I want to turn it

I think mine may be overkill, as there really isn't that much weight in a mini shell

[MrBounce]

This is mine for my fibreglass Midas shell. It's an old warehouse trolley with the top cut off. Fred the cat from next door is optional.

 

 

Makes it look like it's hovering...

 

[newenglandmini]

Thanks gents.  That's much as I envisioned.  I plan to build mine a bit higher to allow more comfortable access.  My car is now sitting on jack stands at a nice height.

 

 DSCN4754.JPG   64.16K   4 downloads

 

 

[newenglandmini]

Oops, wrong image...here's the right one -

 

 DSCN4774.JPG   47.5K   13 downloads

 

 

[zerobelow]

I used 4 of these:

http://www.harborfre...lies-67338.html

 

Those are $40 for 2 dollys, which will come to a similar price as buying 4x of the single wheels you had. 

 

And then ran a 4x4 (actually 2x 2x4s) between them, to stretch the width of the car.

 

As a bonus, when I was done needing a car dolly, then I was able to remove the lumber, and use them as wheel dollys. I've been using them in both forms for various vehicles now for the past year, for my Mini Marcos, and also for my '65 corvair. 

[newenglandmini]

Zero, that's a good plan, however it won't work for me.  I plan to take my body shell to the paint shop on the dolly.  I think the big casters I showed in my OP will allow me to roll it onto my trailer, and allow the paint shop lads to move it about their shop quite easily.  I plan to drill four holes in the car floor and use lag bolts to secure it to the dolly for transport and painting.  I will then plug the holes with rubber plugs.

[newenglandmini]

I built the dolly yesterday, and put the shell on it today.  I used four 2X4's and some surplus casters that were lying about the shop.  NIce and easy to move about the shop.  It will be nice to move the shell outside for rust removal when the weather permits.

 

 DSCN4890.JPG   55.22K   17 downloads

 

[tsumini]

 

FWIW just saw your post today

This is copied from my post on the minimania forum Aug 10,2012 with some additions.

 

Here's what I built. 2 1/2 sq steel tube bolted as shown. Threaded rod thru front subframe mount holes (4). Crossbracing from front sq tube to body where it mounts to rear of front subframe. Bolted together so I could easily take down however needs to have additional cross bracing of sq tubes. Currently have a 1 1/2 angle brace thru engine bay and securing front tubes. Cantilever position is solid with proper bracing. Welding with gussets instead of bolting would help rigidity but.

Bought sq tubing (20ft) for about $90. My brother gave me angle so maybe $120.

Dolly made from 2x6's ($20)with 5 inch plastic castors ($10each).

If I had to do over I would not build the wooden dolly but weld on 1 3/8 dia pipes to sq tube which would hold removable scaffolding castors. $12 each from eTrailer.com. They could be removed while the car is tipped up as in the photo. Install castors and tip it back to original position and can move shell around just like a dolly.

Shell can easily be tipped by one person and rested on the sq tubing as shown. Shell weight is about 300 pounds.

Works very well for me with limited space to work. Easy  access to bottom of shell and wings.

Build so you can move standups to the other side and tip it onto the passenger side.

[newenglandmini]

I saw your posting when I was initially researching dolly designs.  Yours is brilliant, but I decided to make a simpler unit.  I am going to roll my body shell onto its side using surplus tires as a supporting structure, to access the bottom.