A few questions before I lift the shell

[prettybrent]

So I have a 1972 27' Overlander I have completely gutted with just a few elevator bolts (probably a few hidden rivets left) and the front plate holding the shell on tight. After asking the community whether or not to lift the shell and reading the pros and cons and what not I've decided to pick her up into the heavens. But before I do that, I have a few questions for those who might want to lend a hand answering.
- should I patch the exterior skin where holes such as the AC and old roof top antenna and other existing holes?
- Make it water tight and have the window seated in the shell for support? ( i figured taking them out would lighten the load ) also by water tight have the windows cleaned and new gaskets etc.

-*Bracing the shell* - so I have read on a few Full Monty shell lift threads and see some people brace the inner shell and some don't. I know it will surely make things heavier bracing the shell but is it necessary to do so?

- Once the shell is lifted and set down what is the proper way to sit it on the ground. i plan on flipping the frame so i will have to move the gantry set up and have her sitting some how.

I know all these things must be done sooner or later and the answers are within these threads but sometimes they are tricky to narrow down. thanks y'all!!

[steve46]

I will offer some thoughts, in no particular order:
--I expect your floor needs replacement and likely the frame also needs repair, although you don't say the reason for lifting the shell. To me these are the main reasons to remove the shell (having just reattached the shell on the frame of our '76 TradeWind LandYacht--a one year project to get to the reattachment point). I did not use a gantry, but may be in the minority. This is a big project, but not impossible and it may help to set your expectations low and anticipate the need to call in some professionals depending on your own level of expertise. I was not hesitant to use others when I could not do certain things myself.
--I did the "shell integrity" tasks while the shell was off: rebuild all windows and seals, patch any holes, such as TV antenna, a temporary one over the removed A/C, replacing any loose rivets... Mine is "reasonably watertight" now, but I will want more confidence before reattaching the interior walls.
--I did not do much bracing, here is what I did: set the shell on 2 12' 4x4s, one near the front and one near the back, set the 4x4s on one level of cement blocks to rest for the duration, ran two sets of long 2x4s lengthwise inside the frame and tied into the 4x4s for bracing, ran a wire from side to side to keep the shell from getting wider at the middle. I then ran a rope over the top, front and rear to secure it from wind, etc. It never moved in a year and the reattachment went reasonably well.
--other thoughts: my floor at the rear was so rotted that I did not have enough for a pattern for the last piece which made it a challenge to cut the last piece (I did have to alter it a bit when the shell was reattached).
I hope this helps.