Restoration ?
Restoration ?
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,746
Likes: 7
From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
Frame-off: vehicle is completely dismantled, and each part is individually restored to its original condition. Vehicle is put back together, is in new or better-than-new condition.
Frame-on: all restoration work is done with the vehicle pretty much intact (the body stays "on" the frame). They might remove some trim pieces, but the body is stripped and re-painted while it remains attached to the frame. This is how most "frame-off" restorations are actually performed.
Frame-on: all restoration work is done with the vehicle pretty much intact (the body stays "on" the frame). They might remove some trim pieces, but the body is stripped and re-painted while it remains attached to the frame. This is how most "frame-off" restorations are actually performed.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
From: Auburn/ Opelika
Frame off is much more detailed than frame on. They send the frame off to get sand blasted and touched up and all that. Every piece of the vehicle is either redone (rechromed, repainted, etc.) or replaced with a completely new part depending on the vehicle. Frame on is less in depth, and is more along the lines of 'cleaning' it up and general tlc. The frame on varies in detail, I don't really know bout those, 'cause all I read is Truckin'. Not a lot of minor frame restos in there. -BBB
Gone but not forgotten.
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 2
My current restore (I've done several) is a '60 Triumph TR3 roadster. I was going to do a frame off, but inspection showed the underside to be clean and in good shape (this is going to be a driver). I pulled all body parts from the firewall forward, the engine and transmission, the windshield, the steering column, the seats and the dash. I painted the entire frame a flat black. I recovered the dash at my dining room table (lost some wife points). Most are back in place now , but I go at my own pace, sometimes going weeks without touching it.
Dono
Dono
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
I'm going frame-off with my F-100 in a few years. I want the peace of mind of knowing that I took care of everything. Every part is getting attention and will look and work new when I'm done with that. It's what the truck needs anyway, it's in good looking and working order right now and rust isn't a problem but will be someday if I don't take care of everything... especially the undersides of things and inside the doors, cab corners, ....