One man truck box removal and reinstall (tuitorial)

[bobs409]

Here's how you remove and reinstall a truck box all by yourself. I simply purchased an 8' piece of square tubing that fit inside my engine crane top arm. (a nice thick gauge 1/4+ so it won't sag) Remove the short arm that comes with the hoist and slide this one in it's place.

With a doubled up 2 X 4 positioned just forward of center on the box, center the tubing under the 2 X 4 (easy to do, just use the center rib in box floor as a guide) To distribute the weight a little better under the box top rail, I put 2 short pieces of 2 X 3 under the bed side rail. (you'll notice they are held in place by the clamps) After making sure you removed all the bed bolts and disconnect any wiring, start to slowly jack the box up to see how things look.

Odds are you won't be perfectly centered front to back and the box will lift more on one end but it's no problem. You don't even have to reposition the jack, just add a little weight to whatever end lifts first to balance it out. I used 2 wooden blocks I built that I use to stand on when doing engine work which have a good amount of weight to them. In this case, they worked out nicely. Anything you have around will work.
You'll know when you have the right weight as the box will level right out.

Once it's lifting level, raise the box slowly until it will clear the tires and bumper and simply drive the truck out from under it.

In my case I wasn't concerned about scratching paint but if you have nice paint, a piece of cardboard or foam insulation set between box and cab would be a very good idea. Also a little padding on bumper is a good idea as box will get VERY close to it.

Also notice I used 2 large C clamps to attach a block of wood on front and rear of the beam where it contacts the doubled 2 X 4. Just a precaution so nothing shifts around. I also have a C clamp at the back of the tube so it can't slip forward out of the hoist. It never hurts to be extra careful.


P.S. I also used this same engine hoist and 8' tube to lift a cab off of a frame although I had to add some weight to the back of the hoist as it tended to tip forward. An old V8 engine block worked to hold it down.

Please use this guide at your own risk. Use common sense and make all moves slowly & carefully without jerking the box around. Once box is lifted any amount, do not go under it! We want to see you again tomorrow...