can't reach over the radiator
 

85 K1500 w/ 2" lift. when i work underneath, i've got just about enough room to get anywhere on a creeper. however, when i work under the hood, i can't reach beyond the radiator. i've tried a stepping stool and milk crates (very unstable, as i'm gravitationally challenged), is there anything better/safer/more stable(stabler, a.k.a. the snake)?

wel
 

I use one of those 3" step stools and have for years. I've ran over several of them. They even go to shows with me.:D

make sure whatever you stand on is stable, when we were putting my motor back in my truck my dad was standing on a bucket(hes 6'2 and still needed a bucket:D ) and the bucket fell out from under neath him and the hood latch nailed him in the gut. i shat myself cause i thought it went into him but it just gave him a nasty cut and bruise.

Yea, Milk crates are just "too" portable. They have caused many a bruised rib. When working on them you can tie them off at the top with a length of rope around the wheels or the sway bar. This helps to keep them from slipping out. You could also take the time to build a portable bench completely out of 2"x12"s. The one I have was left by the guys who plastered my house and it's great for reaching out over the motor. Mines about 3' long and has a slot in the top for my hand so it's easy to move around. The weight of the wood keeps it from sliding out from under your feet. I want to build another one just like it so I don't have to carry it around from side to side. Use screws, not nails to build it and it should last forever. It's also great to set things on when you take parts outside to paint them.

get one of those steps that hooks over the tire. I've seen them at the parts store but never paid any attention to the price. I have a stool that I made that has spring loaded casters when you stand on it the legs sit on the floor so it doesn't roll.

I stole my wife's folding kitchen ladder. It's plenty stable and I use it when I need to work in the engine compartment.
I have 36" tires with a 6-7" lift.
I've tried other things and yeah you always seem to fall down.
-- Mike

funniest thing awhile back. I was at a shop and a guy was working on a tractor. He was standing on a new unopened bucket of 90 wt gear oil. The lid looked kinda faded though like it had been outside for a while. Any way the guy got on it to reach the top end of the engine to adjust the valves and splash. About everyone knows how hard the smell of gear oil is to get rid of. His boots didn't look all that old either. lol

A cooler with 2 cases of beer and a bag of ice is pretty stable. However, the more beer I drink the less stable the cooler, or am I less stable.

getting over radiator
 

If you want the best thing there is for leaning over the front of your rig, I have found it. I beleive K-D tools makes it. It is basicly a creeper riased about 3-6 feet(adjustable). It has legs like an engine lift that go under the front and you lay on top and wrench. Actually f@rd dealers have them for working on super duty's. If you can IMAGINE a f@rd breaking down! lol

I feel your pain, I usually just climb into the engine compartment. The only problem is I'm 6'3", 240lbs. Sometimes It takes me a while to get up in there, of course, just when I get there is when I realized I left the wrench I need on the ground. :)

Here is the step that ozarkhippie is talking about http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/pho...2099/32044.gif

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=32044

I have also seen a license plate frame that has a built in step. You fold the plate down to reviel the step.
http://www.jcwhitney.com/images/imagecache/I10152.gif
http://www.jcwhitney.com/productnoit...176092&BQ=jcw2

whenever I work on an older truck, I just climb up and sit in the engine bay.:p

I usaully get a couple cinder blocks and put a board across them - I'm thinking one of my hay bales would make a pretty good step also.

just hop on in.,......... thats what i always do

68SWB4x4 - where you been? Good to see you back on.

Damn........Pala has come out of hiding. :)

harbor freight tools used to sell a step that hooked over the top of the front wheel that you could stand on or use to get to the top to crawl in. would be fairly easy to make one too....Zoomy