Author Topic: Car body dollies  (Read 647 times)

Offline duodec

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Car body dollies
« on: June 28, 2014 - 07:08:15 PM »
I handmade some brackets for the Challenger that used trailer jacks to hold up the front end after selling the wheels that had been on the car; it needs to stay movable in the garage.  I made them while taking a welding class; they had a heavy square tube doing off the bottom that slid into a larger square tube welded to the jacks bracket plate.  They seemed to work ok but...

my brackets bent when I tried to move the car today; they weren't strong enough to take the lateral load.  My bad; the steel wasn't thick enough.  I may try tying the two jacks together with a bar and some U-bolts but I'm thinking its a failed experiment.  And I no longer have access to any welding equipment.  They bent out away from the frame rail, so if tied together the two would tend to reinforce each other (it would be almost impossible for the bracket to bend inwards, only outward).

Does anyone make a purpose built (fits the bumper bolt holes) bracket or complete jack/dolly for these cars?  I found some that bolt where the K-member goes but that won't work for me yet.  I don't have access to welding equipment any more so can't really try to build new ones out of heavier steel.




Offline 67vertman

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Re: Car body dollies
« Reply #1 on: June 28, 2014 - 07:26:56 PM »
I made my own. 




Ron - Born and raised in Southern California

I got the 1970 Cuda, but still need the hot blonde to ride shotgun!

First car -1969 Road Runner 383 4sp

Current ride - 1970 Barracuda 440-6 4 sp Dana 60  (4:10)

Offline johns cuda shop

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Re: Car body dollies
« Reply #2 on: June 28, 2014 - 07:41:14 PM »
Same Here, HF has the 8" solid rubber tire wheels., US Car Tool sells a complete body dollies for mopars
71 Cuda Gen III Aluminum 426 Hemi T56 6 speed 4.10 8.75 Modified & Lowered RMS coilover suspension Wilwood discs

Offline Topcat

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Re: Car body dollies
« Reply #3 on: June 28, 2014 - 11:02:25 PM »
PM sent.

See picture.
Mike, Fremont, CA.


Offline duodec

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Re: Car body dollies
« Reply #4 on: June 29, 2014 - 01:08:44 AM »
My photo serving is stuffed right now so I uploaded a couple pics as attachments.  My brackets are lighter angle that went under the frame rail; a slot was cut to accommodate the radiator support.  The square tube is welded on the bottom of the bracket in front of the radiator support, as far forward as possible so the jack could fit and the handle turned.

The trailer jacks had the swivel attaching section removed so only the bracket welded to the jack tube remained, and the larger square tube welded to the bracket; that provided enough offset so the handle could be turned (the radiator and hood latch/supports are all off the car too).  It seemed like a good idea, letting me combine jacking and movability, but those cheap jack casters resist rotating a lot.  If I'd used heavy angle iron like what you all used it would have been fine.  It may still work to tie the two jacks together with a crossmember.  And I do have some 3/8" steel plate that is about the right width to match the bracket sides.  If I cut two lengths, drill the two bolt holes each to match, and use it as a reinforcement (just using the bolts since i don't have welding options right now) it would likely be enough.  I'd really like to keep the jacking option if possible.

Thanks for responding.

I need a welder and a place to weld, darn it  (HOA disallows welding here...)