Maybe need to come up with a different plan...
 

This afternoon, finally got to the '79 wagen and got a fair bit done. But, now that have the front bumper off, plus everything off the front and engine compartment cleared out except the steering box and the driveline, wondering if my plan is reasonable/safe.

What was planning to do was cut the front end off and save it. Then, cut through the drive shaft (no one ever needs them) and slide the driveline out the front.

Can the reciprocating saw cut through the box frames?

Thank y'all in advance for any help! :D

These cars are monobody, there is no box frame. A recip saw should slice one of these in half pretty easily I would think.

They do have two frame rails in the front. If you use the right blade it'll certainly go through it. When I pasted a new front end on mine I got the old crunched-up stuff off with a combination of cutoff wheel, saw, and finally got a enough free to where I could finally drill out some of the spot welds.

-Rog

Yes, understand monocoque body. But, it's a box and creates a "frame" to hold the engine and resist front impact.

It struggled a little when cut the front roof out for the sunroof, thus my concern. Guess if burn it out, not the end of the world. :P

Rog, thank you so very much! :D

Using a short steel cutting blade. Probably need to go up to a six inch?

Guess tomorrow going to Home Depot for blades and a 4'x8' tarp (for the trailer to cover all the parts pulled off that run out of room to put elsewhere).

Pretty much whatever I cut off, I start with a cut-off wheel on the 4 1/2" grinder (if you don't have one they're cheap at Harbor Freight) and follow up with the recip saw as needed. The cut-off wheel is generally faster and the wheels are cheap, especially at HF. It also makes a slot for the recip saw blade to start in when it fits the job better. Don't be surprised if you have to use a cold chisel and hammer in a few spots to finish severing whatever needs severing.

Have fun!

Dan

I had no trouble with my m 18 saw, and metal blades

Dan, thank you so much for the help! :D

The issue with the cut off is the space available. Instead, used a hand saw and a dead blow.

The Harbor Freight saw is already wearing out. The latch for the blades broke and the rubber boot is all torn up. But, paid under $20. :P

John, thank you so much for the encouragement! :D

Trick seems to be do one layer, otherwise bind up. The trigger keeps getting jammed, so interesting when that happens and binds. Ended up with a good size bruise on my left upper arm.

Get a Lennox Blade and it will zip right thru it ! I chopped up a 1954 Packard in my driveway with around 9 Lennox blades ... and used Lennox blades on MBs without any issues either.