Can I use a 2 post lift to remove bed on my truck?

[72farmer]

I need to take the freshly painted SWB bed off of my 72.I have been dreading it since i have a rotten back and then it dawned on me Duh! i have a lift.Where do i put my lift arms to keep from messing anything up?I have a rolling chassis to set it back down on.Please Help i need to do it this weekend.

[cparman]

at my shop, we do this to lift the beds off of late model trucks to install fuel pumps. What we do is to set two of the arms at the center of the wheel well. The feet on our lifts have nice rubber pads, and it works well. When we do this, we will have a couple of my guys to steady the bed until we see that it is balanced. I would think if you needed to move the truck at that point you would be able to. I would set the bed on a stand ASAP after that.

[72farmer]

I have a old Rotary with all metal pads.I do not understand the wheel well thing.You mean the inner wheel well?

[cparman]

our lifts have rubber pads, instead of the metal ones. The bed sides on late model trucks are strong enough to be picked up on the lip of the wheel well. Might suggest cutting a tire to make a rubber pad for the feet on your lift. Bolt the pads to the feet if possible, and slowly bump the lift up until it touches the wheel well lip. The beds are more bulky awkward than heavy. If you cannot bolt the rubber pads you make to your lift, maybe zip tie them ?

[special-K]

Why not raise the lift,put truck under it,and hoist it off rom above?

[68gmsee]

I did it myself a few months ago using a 3 point boom lift for my tractor which is similar to an engine lift. I didn't use the engine lift because truck was on blocks and on dirt.

I cut two 2X4's wide enough so the ends would fit under the rail overhang. Then I cut two doubled 2X4's about 3' long to go perpendicular under the first sort of like a big hatch mark #. I nailed the doubled 2X4's about a foot apart.

I placed the rig in the center of the bed. You can cover the ends covered with rags. I slowly lifted at the center until the ends were up under the rails and basically moved them front to rear until I got a perfect balance.

I slowly lifted the bed until it cleared the frame, backed it and placed it on two saw horses.

Yes, it was a rig, but it worked...

[mbgmike]

its done all the time

[Beelzeburb]

I'd second special-K's suggestion. It might be easier lifting it from above with some straps (cushioned by blankets) attached to the lift arms. Otherwise you might need some tall lift stands to reach it from beneath.
When I used a lift to take the body off of my Suburban I had one stand on each side in the front, but two stacked in the rear just to get enough clearance and not destroy the quarter panels.

[mbgmike]

to take the heads off an F150 supercrew V8 its easier to take the entire body off to get to the rear head bolts, about 4 hrs versus taking out the dash drilling holes installing plugs and and reinstalling the computer and dash. Thats the complete body unstripped. Its done with a two post lift Taking the cab or bed off a 72 chevy is a piece of cake compared to the wieght of the Ford.From the bottom or top its not going to matter. like I said its done all the time. Most all two post lifts have four lifting pads.

[prostreetC-10]

here is how you do it!!!!

Just use diagnal straps in the stake pockets!!

[68gmsee]

The straps are probably the easiest, but, here's another rig that I made today with scrap lumber and some angle brackets. I have to move it again and the original one I made was thrown away. I used 2X4's with a 4X4 under them instead of double 2X4's.

To repeat myself, I cut the 2X4's just long enough to go under the side rails. I put 2X4's in by tilting the whole thing in from the side. Then you just have to balance the lift points by moving the whole thing front to rear as you lift.

[vectorit]

My burb body was removed, and replaced back to the frame with two fork lifts!
Wasn't pretty, but it worked.

[72farmer]

Thanks for alot of ideas.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by prostreetC-10

here is how you do it!!!!

Just use diagnal straps in the stake pockets!!

That works and is a commonly used method.But,that`s a shortbed with old paint (love that paint).I`d want something more stable to lift a fresh painted bed off.That`s what tis guy`s concern is.

[prostreetC-10]

That's a good point Mr. K. Everything is easier when you have Gm's "turd/barf/bile gold" color! I'd probably use something closer to 68gmsee's way.

[special-K]

Hey,I meant it when I said I liked the paint.Not saying it`s a pretty color,just like it.I do the engine hoist thing just like you showed.Used one for the cab,too.It`s just this guy has the car lift,bad back,and going solo.It`s amazing what we can do solo.But,like with him and his fresh paint,I`ve found myself doing things where i`m thinking"Either I`m a genius or an idiot".You know what I mean...if it works out you`re an genius.If not,shoulda waited for help rather than risk it.Been in both positions before.There`s no witnesses to call you a genius and people to call you an idiot when they see what you screwed up.

[prostreetC-10]

The funny thing about my way is how those straps stretch before they lift! I really didn't know if they would break or not. bed did some "creeking" too. I know exactly what you mean about the paint. It is the perfect "patina" job and Mother Nature gave it to me free. ;o)