Progressssss..... Shell off begins !

[KZGoodchild]

Hey guys, I know I saw a post on the site with steps to a frame off, however, i had thunk that I could repair the tongue and frame without this big operation, well was I wrong ! Any how, frame is rotten from hitch back to first cross frame inside ( about 3 feet in, you can see me putting a screwdriver into the bottom . Now I have most of the floor out ( BTW rear frame is rotten as well....and some of the outriggers... about 50 % of them - I have seen some cool ways to fabricate these I will be asking a local welder to have a look once the shell is free ! Thus the questions, any secrets to grinding off the old rusting bolts holding the floor on ? My next steps as far as I can see is to take the rest of the interior panels off, remove mouse houses, old wiring etc... then belly pan. I think I am going to do this the simple way with jacks on inside, until I can get some stringers under her ( calm day I understand is best- few PBR on ice for nerves afterwards ! Then remove frame and set shell down in yard (all outside in side yard....Well, I hope the pics help, I am surprisingly enjoying this destructo mode, those AS techs sure know how to hide rivets, but I am becoming adept at spotting them ! Am abelling and taking pics because after 40, my memory, is well like a few beers whenct I've not had one yet !
Thanks for the thoughts and inspriation on the site guys and gals !

[LifeIsRiveting]

Nice work! Keep up with progress reports.

So you do not plan to use a gantry system to pop the top? Why not?

Hope it doesn't sound like I'm being critical! Everyone has a different method and I like to try and understand them in order to learn more and keep an open mind.

[jjmtb]

Good luck with your project. I just got the shell off of mine this last weekend. It felt like a huge accomplishment. I solicited and used all the advice given to me. I built gantries. It was a half days work and cost about $160 in wood to have them in place. It seems like a small investment compared to the benefits it gave me. I don't know how I would have done it without it. It would have taken longer for sure.

There is great information and advice that was given to me by those much more knowledgeable than I am in my signature thread. I use it as a reference constantly. One guy even gave me most of the material list I would need. Check it out.