Removing Subframe/Engine/Trans underneath VS Above

[ddavisart]

Hey guys, just wanted to hear some opinions on the matter. If you had a freshly painted 2nd gen F body car assembled that needed an engine,trans, & subframe swap, which way would you attack it? Would you take a different approach then usual to cut down on the risks of damaging the new paint? (See Poll)

[JustJohn]

When I had an E-Type the only sanctioned way to easily work on the car was to raise the entire thing and pull what you needed out from underneath.

[72BBSwinger]

Mopars with removable K members were assembled this way from the factory. When I put mine together last time, I dropped the car onto the engine and trans. I will now never do it any other way.

[ddavisart]

Nice! I imagine I would have to get the front end up really high to get it all out. Currently I dont have a lift. I thought about maybe investing in on of those portable scissor lifts, but it could be in the way when trying to get everything out. I've also seen some guys use a cherry picker to lift the front of the car like the picture below. Makes me wonder where guys are supporting the hookup strap at when lifting the whole car up like that. Maybe its not as heavy as I'm thinking once those main components are out.

[ddavisart]

Actually just realized that there is no supports up front once the subframe is gone. Not sure why I was thinking the older fbodies was tied in another way. Looks like I will have to pull the front cap off no matter what since there will be nothing there to support it. Guess its option B then

[ilikeike]

I know they can drop the first gen subs out with engine and trans. without removing the fenders or radiator brace. I'm not sure how much different the 2nd gens are.

[ddavisart]

After seeing some pictures like this one It seems like the fender/nose wouldnt have any support, only where they tie into the door area. Unless there's some trick to doing this.

[TheJDMan]

I did not remove the front clip (fenders, radiator support, grill and hood) when I replaced my subframe on Dust Off. As long as you are not using the radiator support on the 1st gen F-body to lift the car to remove the subframe the fenders will support themselves just fine. The best method is to use a two post lift and raise the body up off the subframe.

[ddavisart]

I did not remove the front clip (fenders, radiator support, grill and hood) when I replaced my subframe on Dust Off. As long as you are not using the radiator support on the 1st gen F-body to lift the car to remove the subframe the fenders will support themselves just fine. The best method is to use a two post lift and raise the body up off the subframe.

Thanks, Good to know. So you didn't need to put any jackstands under the front clip to help support it so it wouldnt bend/warp without the subframe being in there?

[TheJDMan]

Thanks, Good to know. So you didn't need to put any jackstands under the front clip to help support it so it wouldnt bend/warp without the subframe being in there?

Nope! No jack stands necessary under the front clip, when the subframe is removed there is really not much weight up front. Remove items like the radiator and battery to reduce the weight as much as possible.

[icemanrd19]

lift the front of the car slightly, sit on jack stands, use dollies like the blue car above under the subframe, Take out the core support bolts, then the front body bolts and take off the rear bolts, subframe will drop. With the weight off the car lift up the front of the car more and readjust the jack stands higher. Take the wheels of the subframe and roll it out from the dollies

[ddavisart]

Thanks guys, subframe is almost finished. I think I should get it in a couple of weeks then I will be tackling this.