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!

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Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

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

__________________
2004 F150 4.6L -My Daily
2007 Volvo XC70 -Wife's Daily
1998 Ford F150 -Rear ended
1989 J-spec 420SEL -passed onto its new keeper
1982 BMW 733i -fixed and traded for the 420SEL
2003 Volvo V70 5 Speed -scrapped
1997 E290 Turbo Diesel Wagon -traded for above
1992 BMW 525i -traded in
1990 Silver 300TE -hated the M103
1985 Grey 380SE Diesel Conversion, 2.47 rear end, ABS -Sold, really should have kept this one
1979 Silver 300D "The Silver Slug" -Sold

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.

__________________
Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

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

Rog, thank you so very much!

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).

__________________
Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

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

Dan, thank you so much for the help!

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.

__________________
Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

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

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

John, thank you so much for the encouragement!

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.

__________________
Current fleet:

1985 Mercedes-Benz 280TE - Waiting for heart surgery.

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT - Rear ended 23 September 2016 and now looking for a new home.

1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - Parted out.

1964 Volkswgen Beetle - Vater's since September 1968 and undergoing a restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Sunroof Squareback with F.I. - in need of full restoration.

1971 Volkswagen Squareback automatic with F.I. - Vacationing with her caretaker until he is in better health.

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.