The Body is Off!!

So I haven't been able to do much work on the Landcruiser lately...mostly because I've had another "land" get in the way...landscaping the front yard.  Luckily I'm almost done with that and will be able to get back to work on the Landcruiser.

The last hurdle for me to jump over to get the body off the frame was to remove the remaining bit of steering column.  Much easier said than done of course.  I thought the easiest course of action would be to take the steering box out with the column connected.  This required that the pitman arm be removed from the steering box.  One nut...slip it off...and done.  Not so easy...managed to get the nut off...but actually getting the arm off the gear...impossible.  I soaked it in penetrating fluid...used hammers to try and hammer it off...it didn't budge.  So next up...remove the drag link.  This took a bit...but worked.  All of the ends and link are going to be replaced so this was not a bad solution.  So...the steering box, pitman arm and drag link are out.

Next up...finding some help to get the body off the frame.  Thanks to a few of the guys from work we were able to make quick work of it.  I rolled the car out onto the driveway...moved the dolly I built out there...and the four of us lifted the body...which was much lighter than I expected...onto the dolly...rolled everything back and now its time to work on the frame.  I have inspected it...surface rust which I knew about and is not all that bad considering its the frame.  Now replacing all the suspension, brakes, exhaust and seals will be much easier.  I think I've also decided on a course of action to restore the frame.  First hit it up with a wire wheel and then chemically treat the surface rust followed by a frame coat.  Can't wait to get to work on it!