DIY 70 Chevelle Body Removal: No Lift, No Problem! Home-Built Gantry in Two-Car Garage

In this video, we're tackling a big job in a small space! We re-build our gantry crane to remove the body from our '70 Chevelle right in our two-car garage. No fancy lift or tools, just a homemade gantry and some good old-fashioned elbow grease.
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DD Speed Shop
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Winnipeg, Manitoba
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[@moreschmoo]

Sound girl really Danielle'd it this time! There is sound on the whole video, but there was an accidental switch to mono instead of stereo! Sorry! So it's better on speakers than headphones!

[@Mike-nc4kl]

sorry... no sound at all at my end... oregon,usa

[@loose-arrow-garage]

Got my headphones on. It was left side only and then it switched to right only.

[@TheLooper0]

I thought my one ear was plugged until it switched sides😂

[@stevenhicks8625]

Same here, mono left side then aboot halfway thru switched to mono right side.

[@murrayhelmer8941]

Perfect rustic wedding arch at your new country estate!! 🤣🤣

[@jddavis121]

As a carpenter for 40 years, your carpentry skills are like my welding skills. If it holds and no one dies. It's a fine job

[@glennnickerson8325]

nailed it! 😆

[@FlashBangMafia]

No 40 year carpenter would ever say that.

[@boatnut64]

@@FlashBangMafia🤣🤣🤣

[@meh-canics9628]

😂😂😂

[@jddavis121]

@@FlashBangMafia clearly you have never seen how bad I weld

[@jamesf4405]

Dan, Daniel my brother... This Chevelle hit the lottery the day you bought it! You sir, are a master at saving these old heaps! .. and Danielle is just a sweetheart dream! Her questions are excellent! I'm loving this series on the Chevelle. Thank you so much. Signed - Your friend, the Cancer guy! 🫣....

[@bryanheitz9023]

Dannie is a huge asset to your channel with her helping you out behind the camera and her hilarious commentary. Nice to see such great comradery out in the garage! Keep on keepin on guys!

[@ralphhayward5693]

Dan, what a hoot! Former general contractor here. Setting up that frame with 2 screws at the base. Lol And at the top, your perpendicular screwing is called toenailing. I imagine the comments will be wild over this one. 🇨🇦

[@Jdwescott]

I believe this is the 3rd frame off restoration I've watched you do Dan.All those fancy shops have like 20 employees and only do 6 cars a year.Also Dani has been working hard,let her bring her 57 home before summer is over.

[@dankniseley9486]

You did a great job of showing you don't need all the expensive stuff to get the job done great content keep up the great work and saving old cars from the scrap yard

[@danielfiske9849]

Looking forward to you actually pimpin this one out .😊

[@GWBergen61]

As it turns out Canadian Tri-Five Jesus is also a carpenter.

[@-Mike-69]

Seeing how Dan goes by "hot rod Jesus", I would hope he would be a carpenter. Isn't that how the story goes ? Jesus was a carpenter ? I'm not religious. I just recall hearing that "story."

[@tonyt8805]

😂 😂 😂 😂 😂

[@GWBergen61]

@@-Mike-69 I’ve heard him referred to by both names and carpenter was kinda the joke

[@Jdwescott]

Dan the automobile MacGyver,can't wait to get home and watch.

[@Zazu2You]

No one knows wood as good at DD Speed Shop. Not bad at all. Balance good, everything good, Danielsan. Cheers!! 😎

[@user-ei5py3jr9l]

"Maybe I should get back into woodworking!" ...maybe not! 😂😂

[@JimmyMakingitwork]

My brother is a Master Carpenter, I was laughing so hard while sending him the link, so your plan worked, lol.

[@adamdavis2760]

Dan, This is one of your dream cars you are building for yourself, go the extra mile. You have access to the frame, clean it, and paint it real nice while you are waiting for sheet metal...get crazy and make it nice...A series where you put the nice touches on a car would be different AND it's a car you are keeping so why not?

[@Ocsilentbob]

i love the "dont wanna do anything too crazy" as you are still jacking it up

[@vancity2349]

Fantastic Dan love how you are not afraid to tackle anything...what could go wrong...lol...looking forward to many more videos on this build...

[@miker252]

It's very entertaining, like watching people launching their boats at the boat ramp, knowing something can go very wrong at any moment.

[@user-wq8qm4uo5b]

Physics for carpentry with Dan!🤣

[@rogerpeter6859]

DD SPEED shop hot rods and fine furniture!

[@kevinl.2291]

You always do what you got to do by getting the job done. This is true hot rodding making do with what you have. I will say I can’t wait for the day you find a new place with big shop and a lift to make your job easier. You deserve it. Keep up the good work see you on the next one. 👍😎✌️

[@pugliesesspeedshop]

I feel like we're going Old Skool DD Speed Shop in the new garage... And I Love it!!

[@hubiesgarage]

Well, it looks like Mur's choice timbers were liberated again! Hey, it all worked and nobody lost a limb! Keep up the great work!

[@richfletcher4286]

Dani made me laugh. Not sure if anyone else heard her but I caught her family guy reference. I know exactly what she meant. Love that show. Nice one, hun.

[@jamesgraham2305]

Reminds me of back in the day we would build an a frame to pull motors in the backyard

[@brianhdueck3372]

Awesome work guys! There was no KZbin in 1972 when I did a home frame swap on my 62 Pontiac 2 door hard top lol. Hardly even cameras! My tools were lumber and jackall. But I got it all done, driving and painted. Pretty proud 16 year old I was.

[@fatboydan02]

Some class A sketchy "Garage Hack" stuff right there !! It's like a class on How Not To Do It....Only BETTER. ! Kudos to you for cranking out great content....

[@archstanton9206]

Hey aftermarket suppliers...this what an average guy trying to build his dream hot rod looks like. It would be nice to see you supporting /sponsoring him with some good pieces...he sure as heck ain't afraid of work...I would love to see a nice brake package, good suspension pieces sent his way. Just a thought...and no I don't know the guy.

[@mtnman3MTA3]

This build is gonna be very different, especially if you get fancy with paint and everything. I like the look of the front wheels and tires.

[@markmckeachnie4484]

Yep fancy flat black lol

[@markmckeachnie4484]

Would someone tell past Dan to disconnect the sterring

[@ryanmetalfinishing1083]

as usual, great build. we all cant wait for this one. THE BEST color choice also. Where is Mur? we miss his pod casts!

[@roberttorian9303]

DD Wood Shop, has a nice ring for a second, or third or forth channel!

[@randydoolitle6867]

As a Carpenter you make a good Plumber.

[@benshore7357]

Good times 🎉 that body was held to the frame with hopes and dreams 🎉

[@mzaccagnini7179]

This is exactly what I need to do with my 70 Chevelle!😊😊😊

[@NoWr2Run]

A floating 70 Chevy.

[@ronsherfy6291]

You are the Macgyver of the hot rod world!

[@ryanbean3548]

If y’all ever come back to Mississippi and Dan wants to help me make memories for two days maybe even one day, that would be great lol.

[@crosswits1]

Your A frame exceeds Mortske's standards of construction quality

[@vernonhill1240]

When I took a car off the frame all I did was use the engine crane on the front put a 4x4 across on saw horses then move the crane to the back. It honestly took like 15 minutes and I was done.

[@dougr.6734]

"Dani here......DD Speed Shop"...............C'mon Dani! Show the talent "Dan" that you are the go-go juice for the channel!

[@StewsChannel]

Lol, that mono audio in the beginning was making me think I had gone deaf in my right ear! 🤣

[@timmygiles9554]

Well I like your videos and I’m camera shy !!! I was glad to hear the 57 fired up and going to a good home!! I wanted it really bad!! Glad to see this 70 is your dream car so you are going to put some heart into it!! I’m going to start my 57 and I want to ride with y’all! Just keep doing a good job. The great’s are all dead!!

[@user-zy9me9wg2e]

You make it look easy. Keep doing it your way, it works.

[@user-eh6og9lo9t]

Hey Dan, You are a genius !!! My favorite part is watching you guys do the metal work on the body. Nice work Danni and Dan !!! Rave - On !!!

[@ryanhicks942]

Great video Dan. The 70 Chevelle is a bucket list car for me. Matthew McConaugheys black 70 in Dazed and Confused, totally changed my life. Im loving every second of this build 🇺🇸

[@Jim-ic2of]

Optimus Prime is a Canadian Hippie that likes to party ! 😮😯🤔😎😅😂❤

[@javierdenardo2607]

Built like the hangman game

[@MastaT_150]

I gotta say I like your idea of bolting the new floor to the frame and dropping the body down over the top. It sounds like something I would attempt. Gotta get creative when you don’t the fancy tools and what not.

[@IowaBudgetRCBashers]

Ready for sheet metal. Now the hard work begins. As a former 70 chevelle owner I recommend UMI tubular control arms and rear control arms, along with their sway bars. It’ll be a super solid affordable setup

[@user-vq4gk4hx8p]

Nice, you'll be an expert in all GM car floorplan,s soon!

[@donolbers]

We made a side roll body stand years ago, for a '70 Chevelle. Two 10' sticks of 3" exhaust pipe, bent in the center at 90 degrees, tied together with three 10' sticks of 2" exhaust pipe. Some fabbed up mounts to bolt it and the body together, and shazam! We could at least roll it on it side to clean up the underside, mighty handy to have back when my knees still bent a little.

[@karensavarese5684]

Fanbelts, doubled around, work great for lifting points. Like your trunk bar. Learned that one about 50 years ago, works great,, keep goin',,, Love, DUBS,,

[@AaronBrevik]

Great content Dan and Danni.

[@mitchm5883]

You said Danielle likes to read comments: You guys sound like you would be great neighbours. All the best from Lacombe County Alberta. Every time I see a beat up classic car for sale on FB marketplace I think of you guys. Cheers.

[@georgeponnay447]

DD Speed Shop and Gantries at your service 👍😎

[@automotivechaos]

Just did this on my 56 bel air. Ended up buying heavy duty saw horses, and used a 4x4 across them. Lifted one end at a time with my engine hoist. Little sketchy on the way up, but it worked. Amazing what can be done with little to no tools and even less space!

[@kennethsonier1766]

Success 🙌 you didn't drop it on its roof 😨 things are coming along nicely Dan. ✌️🇺🇲🇨🇦

[@dogpatchfab]

Stand the body on the cowl right outside the garage door. Makes putting one piece floors in a breeze

[@stevebulach5198]

Once you've finished using the Gantry for the body lift, you should put it out the front of your house for an "Entry Arch " Swing a few wheels or Hub caps off it for some Legit DD Speed Shop Patina just to finish it off. WHAT A PIECE OF ART it would be..😀👍

[@williamstamper442]

I took thr body off my 1970 442 completely by myself using 4 floor jacks, blocks of 2x4, 4 hd jackstands and 4 2x14 about 12 foot long each. Started dropping front of the frame while supporting the body with rhe 2x4 until the long boards would slide under the rockers to a jackstand on each side set up wider than the frame on outside of the body. Same procedure for the rear until frame was laying on the ground. A piece of cardboard under the front crossmember where engine mounts go. Cardboard allowed me to drag the frame out from the back. All by myself. New frame all painted pretty and all new floorboards installed, reassembly was exact opposite of how it came apart. Easy peasy.

[@perrygordon6723]

Reminds me of when my cousin and I jacked my 55 coupe up in a dirt driveway and supported four corners with 2x4s and tree stumps we then took the rear end out as well as the front end out dropped the frame to the ground and pulled it out! We were just kids back then didn't have any fancy lifts but we got her done! Love your enginuitty! 47:15

[@christopherohara9421]

Fred Flintstone would be very proud of you

[@leonardpaciora5039]

Nice one Dan! Can't wait for the rest!

[@VintageTinGarage]

That’s some amazing Hackett. Hope it gets the job done without injury.

[@jasonahlstrom1424]

So pumped for this build. I agree that full frame cars are much easier to work on in a lot of ways with the strength and rigidity. Unibodies are easier to pull apart but big horsepower and half frames are sketchy. Oh hell, I have one of each!

[@jimmartin2248]

You have found your calling..making turds ready for the road keep up the good work..who ever buys this car knows what they're getting you have done all the hard work

[@UncleOblivion2]

This brought to mind what my 10 year old nephew and I did with my '68 Baja Bug. We made "A" frames on wheels front and back. Lifted the body off the floor pan and rolled the body around easily wherever we needed to.

[@christopherarmbruster6241]

U allways find a way ! And u dont get hurt ! U have earned all da cool stuff u got. The hard way..u be da can do guy.

[@74hotrodmalibu]

Absolutely Ingenuity at its finest who needs a rotisserie, right ? I am really gonna like this build awesome way to make it happen

[@markince656]

Oh Man! Thanks for the idea that works great I thought about it but wasn’t sure a 4x4 would hold up.

[@Havasumaker]

The daily vids are the way to go, inspired I am. Have a great weekend.

[@Butcherbuilt]

Tri Five Jesus is also a Chevelle Guy!! :) Can't wait to see what you do with this one!

[@lusterwright2886]

Nice of bad chad yesterday on his show to say ty to dd speed shop for wearing one of his shirts keep up the great builds you do can’t wait to see more on the chevelle

[@bryanhammond7783]

Mono sound Danielle! You really Danielle'd it this time sound girl😂

[@Zooooom01]

That’s a fancy set-up. I like it

[@Tim-57]

Hey Guys Thanks for another good video. Take care😊

[@stevenbranch7362]

Looking good ! Yaaaaaa Nice cheap lift.

[@johnkranz4004]

Very Nice Job Dan and Dani Nice set of penguins

[@johnkranyics281]

I would both in the transmission crossmember help keep the frame stiffer. You're off to a good start Good start Dan. 👍👍🇨🇦

[@hoffbug]

Nice gallows. Dont leave us hanging for the next Chevelle video!

[@wrongwayroger2519]

Dan, a freind of mine in my younger days had a 70 Chevelle SS 396 4 Spd with the "gold" with black stripes you showed in the video prior too this one , it even had the factory mags(wheels) you mentioned !!! Be cool to see you do this one like that !!! Anyway living memories from the times when all the cars were what you're doing 😅😅😅!!! Thanks !!!

[@pb5778]

Thanks for sharing this video with us Go Dan

[@Mechanickirk]

Dan is the reason there are building codes.

[@michaelegan8703]

Great job Dan

[@axemanfishing2703]

Brilliant, simply brilliant display of sketchy awesomeness. I could not have done it any better myself. ;-)

[@nicolasstanley1392]

Nice patina on them timbers, Dan 😉

[@kevinwright1551]

Awesome job on getting the Chevy Chevelle apart from the frame. Keep up the great work.

[@vincentfalso4687]

Impressive, Ingenious, and easy enough for guys like me😊❤

[@murrayhelmer8941]

Some time if you letter a car. You need to letter it “Catty Whompus”. 🤣🤣

[@johnbrueckman1241]

I love your videos i lifted cars the same way 30 yrs ago lol.

[@wrongwayroger2519]

Dan , Hillbilly ingenuity works !!! IF no bang no boom no blood then it was a success !!! When running a freshly written program (I wrote it) on my CNC Lathe and it successfully made the part That was my motto !!!😅😅😅

[@boatnut64]

Did the same thing with a '68 Beaumont... I too survived the "Sketchiness"... "Hillbilly Engineering". 💪💪💪 All the replacement panels we ordered, were listed as Chevelle. The Tail light panel was a bit of a pain, as the tailights are different... (More Hillbilly Engineering) 🤣🤣🤣

[@johndraper9065]

I don't always watch all of the videos that you make. But I do have to say, your a amazing fabricator and one heck of a body man... You turn junk in treasure, sometimes you save cars that should have been crushed, and turn them into road worthy hot rods!!!

[@tonyt8805]

💯 🎯 💯

[@user-xj5nv2ep8n]

oh no , tell us it so!, dan gonna try to get fancy with this one…

[@bengtjansson2847]

Hello from Sweden👍

[@dizzle123able]

Let’s name it!!! “Canuck Chevelle” “SS CANUCK”. 🇨🇦

[@tonyt8805]

❤ "SS CANUCK" ❤

[@bensymington5550]

❤❤ I love your videos, awesome content😊

[@user-zg4gm6ke7g]

I can work fabulously with metal . . . Wood ? . . Not so much 😕 🙃 😐 😒

[@matthewschneider2089]

Dude!!! Safety 3rd!!! Great video!!! Good job!!! I'm in for the big picture!!! Lol!!!✌️

[@mzaccagnini7179]

Love your channel. Keep up the great work on keeping these great classics on the road.😊😊😊

[@bradleymckay365]

I am definitely using this idea for sure

[@jaysgarage8648]

Man this makes me want to get another Chevelle mine was candy read with white strips frame painted black with red floors It was one of my best builds other than the 79 lemans