Body Cart & Rotisserie Questions

[astroracer]

I have spent quite a bit of time looking through a few sites researching Body Carts and Rotisseries. I have a good idea as to what I am going to do but would like some further input from any of you who have had the chance to use either one or both.
My initial plan was to simply build a cart to set the van body on so it is at least mobile. Now I am wondering if I shouldn't just go ahead and build a cart/rotisserie that will allow access to the underbelly of the van while I am rebuilding the back half.
Any comments, do's, don'ts or whatevers are welcome.
Keep in mind I have a pile of 2x2x1/8th wall tubing to build this thing from so I plan to do it from scratch and not purchase engine stands or the like.
Mark

[novanutcase]

If your willing to do it from scratch and have the material and welding skills I say go for it! Do the rotisserie. You'll be glad you did. Just make sure you make it so that you can roll it in and out of your garage.:razz:

[kamaroman68]

just built one this past weekend- rotisserie that is. very simple and i only have 200 dollars invested in it so far. another 200 should get her all finished up. Just have to make/buy the pipe to make it rotate. Chris

[69slotcar]

Boy, that's what I should have done !!
I've spent a fortune...

[J2speedandcustom]

We looked into building one priced out all the metal and time needed. We ending up buying this one - http://www.autotwirler.com/auto_plus.html Very well made!

We made our own body cart since it only took a couple of hours. I can take some pics if you like?

[astroracer]

Hey Jeff. Pics would be great! I picked up a lot of info on the Autotwirler at the Detroit Autorama this year. In fact, I was just looking at it last night. I will agree it is very well built. I just can't justify the cost when I have most of the material sitting here taking up space.
Thanks for the help.
Mark

[CDJr]

I built a very simple rotisserie for my Firebird a couple years ago and after taking it down, I cut the tops off of it and turned it into a rollaround body cart for building the suspension and re-assembly.

[Stan W]

Here is the one I built for my 69 Camaro.It worked great but if I would do it again I would make it a tad higher
Stan http://www.harwoodperformance.bizland.com/1941buick/Editorial_20.htm

[astroracer]

Thanks Stan! I actually have your site bookmarked and will probably use your design as the basis for mine.
I plan to incorporate a couple of bottle jacks into the mess for raising and lowering so I will have to do some mods but it should be a fairly straight forward design and build.
Thanks a bunch for all of the input guys!

Mark

[parsonsj]

Mark,

Have you seen the plans I used for mine? I got 'em from Chevy High Performance about a decade ago. It worked great for me, and I added some stuff to one end to make an engine hoist "option".

jp

[astroracer]

Hey John,
Nope, haven't seen your plans. Do you have them handy? I would like the input if they are available. Thanks.
Mark

[slenning]

Hi Mark, I built one with jacks I got from Harbor Freight. I will try to post some pics later tonite. The jacks work great. I can pick the car right off my body cart in the lowered position and then jack it up to rotate.

[astroracer]

That's my plan also Steve. I have a couple of the tall bottle jacks. One is on my engine hoist and the other I picked up at a yard sale this summer for 10 bucks... Could you post any pics of your rig?
Thanks
Mark

[slenning]

heres a few pics Mark

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://imageshack.us)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://imageshack.us)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://imageshack.us)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://imageshack.us)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://imageshack.us)

hope this helps, any questions let me know!

[novanutcase]

Astro,

Slennings rotisserie looks pretty good with one suggestion. Tie them together with an adjustable rod. I just think it would be a littel more stable this way.

John

[slenning]

John is right, definately tie the two ends together. I found another picture showing mine with the car on it, jacked up all the way, and the center bar in place.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif (http://imageshack.us)

[69slotcar]

Steve...
your garage is Awesome !!
...and "huge" !!!!!!!!

[novanutcase]

THERE YA GO! Do it just like Steves!

Hey Steve!

Did the bottle jacks ever start to lose holding power if you left the car in that position over time? I say this because the jacks that I buy at the local auto store always start to lose holding power after a while!(Thank God for Jack Stands!)

Oh Wait......Duh! I see the holding pin that you put to keep it in position. Very nice design!

Astro! You may want to also make an engine stand attachment that can be used with one of the stands to kind of double up on it's use!

[kamaroman68]

Stan in your plans you call out for 3" o.d metal tubing for the outside part of your pivot and 2.5" o.d. metal tubing for the actual rotating part. Where did you find those pieces as thats what i need to finish my project. Chris

[Stan W]

I got my pieces from a local fabrication shop that my company deals with.I asked for what they call drop off's,that is peices that are usually put in the scrap pile after they cut the length they need.You can save some money that way.I am not the designer,I only copied what he did.I think you can email him about it,perhaps he can help if you are looking for the exact same thing.
Stan

[astroracer]

Thanks TONS for all of the input guys! I really appreciate it. I spent most of the weekend (except for a car show Saturday) out in the shop cleaning so I didn't get anything done on the design but, I did take stock on my materials and think I will use a couple of sections of 6 x 6 "H" beam I have left over from my chassis table build. If I use these for the bottom rails I think the cart/rotisserie will be plenty stout. I probably won't get much done on the design work for a week or so as I need to get the shop cleaned up, organized and a few cars put away for the winter, but I will post up some sketches when I get them done.
Thanks again! Any further thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.
Mark

[astroracer]

Just some input for anyone that is interested.
I just pickt up a pair of these for the head units.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
BEARING BLOCK AND SHAFT ASSEMBY
New steel spindle with bearings and flange.
Specifications
Hollow shaft 1" outside dia. 5/8" inside dia. 3" long w/ 2 woodruff key's
End of shaft to face of flange 3-1/2"
4 bolt-holes on 5-5/8" bolt circle
6" x 6" x 1/4" flange
Size 6" x 3-1/8" dia.
Shpg. 12 lb.
I think these will work very well as rotators. The 1" shaft may be a little small but I think I can beef it up with a piece of 2" x .5 wall tube and a thrust washer on the inboard face...
Any comments?
Mark

[Frank Grimes]

I have been thinking about How I would build one of these for my 64 cutlass I though of just buy two 3 leg engine stands and fabbing some arms to hold the body which would bolt onto the engine mount. also making some longer legs on the stand so it doesnt tip.
Connect the two stands with the middle legs.
this way it would be bolt together and still could be used as engine stand.

this may not work because I dont know how much the body actually weighs. Anyone know?

[JoshStratton]

Anyone still watching this thread?

I have a body cart made of 2x2 1/8 inch tubing. I have been looking for ways to improve it and think it is a good candidate for a rotissery conversion.

Does anyone see a problem with using 3 inch DOM pieces for the rotator? I would have to notch my 2x2 for the round to fit, but some of the other versions I have seen use 3 inch square tube.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[mikey]

Take a look here they have some decent pics that might be helpful
http://autotwirler.com/
http://whirlyjig.com/
http://www.accessiblesystems.com/index.php
http://www.theroto2000.com/

[JoshStratton]

I have been through all of those but they dont give you their measurements ;)

It's ok though. I think I've got it set.

[ProTour69GTO]

www.autobody101.com has plans that you can download

[JoshStratton]

www.autobody101.com (http://www.autobody101.com) has plans that you can download

I didnt think of looking there. Thanks for the head's up!

I know what I am going to do now. I hope to work on it in a few weeks. Got some other stuff to finish before though.

[Mike Holleman]

Josh, I have an Acessible Systems Rotissery. Right now I have a 66 Chevelle on it. I'll be glad to get whatever measurements you need off of it.
Mike Holleman

[BonzoHansen]

There are a few different plans you can search around Team Camaro for, if you want more ideas.

www.camaros.net/forums/