Every project seems to eventually reach some insurmountable obstacle. For our Range Rover restoration project, the hurdle we couldn’t seem to jump was getting the body off the frame. Not that we didn’t know how; it was a matter of figuring out what we were going to with the body once it was off.
Removing a body from its frame essentially requires the floor space of two projects, for one thing. Given how much we use the Eastwood Garage for various video shoots and projects, we needed to keep the Range Rover body mobile. Likewise, we couldn’t afford to have the frame in the way, so it needed to stay on its wheel dollies.
The original hope was to put the body shell on a rotisserie so that we could work comfortably on the bottom side. However, after rigging the vehicle for its body lift, we had second thoughts about the front end’s ability to support itself once mounted. There’s a lot of compromised sheet metal in the front structure, and it would have certainly folded up if we’d tried to lift it there.
In the end, we settled for putting the shell on a body cart until we can shore up the front fender and engine bay structure. We may even change our minds entirely on the rotisserie, but time will tell.
For now we got our first full look at the frame and chassis components. We’re happy to report that those are all in much better condition than the body. The problem now becomes where to pick up. Continue with the body first, or makes some quick and easy progress with the chassis?
Hello I’m kind of new to this. I read that it show to leave a comment. So can I ask what can do to restore the engine compartment?