How to lift a bed? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

shortymac83 · 03-19-2006, 08:40 PM

Ok, Here is my equipment:

1 2.5 ton engine hoist
1 2.5 ton jack
a bunch of jackstands (4-5)
myself
my dad
my mom

The task:

Get a steel 8' long bed off of the ground up onto a 2-3' tall work frame. The frame will be constructed of 2X4's and will match the truck's frame in width. After that, how do you move a freshly painted bed onto a truck's frame without beating it up?

So basically, with the use of the equipment above, I have to lift a really bloody heavy bed straight up into the air about 3'6", then set it down onto a frame. After that, I need to lift it up again, and this time MOVE IT over to the actual truck where it will be mounted.

Any suggestions are welcome...

JAKES 68GMC · 03-19-2006, 08:56 PM

Use the engine crane, get a strap, and wrap the strap in through the stake pockets, and then around the whole bed itself. That way, it won't put a buttload of strain on the pockets. Thats the way I'd do it.
Maybe use the floor jack to wiggle the bed off of the frame. It may be rusted/stuck.

Hope this helps.

tcoop68 · 03-19-2006, 09:15 PM

If you have a friend that would lone you a cherry picker,I have taken lots of beds off by my self using mine.Just take four rachet straps or short chains and attach to the four corner stake pockets and center the picker in the middle of your bed and it will come off perfectly.Make sure you adjust the two front arms out enough so it will carry the load properly.Try it I thank you will like it.

1969k10stepside · 03-19-2006, 09:21 PM

On junk or parts trucks I use a 2 cables diagonally to form an x in the stake pockets and then use the engine lift to lift it off.Do not have experience doing this with a painted bed because mine are still in restoration.

1969k10stepside · 03-19-2006, 09:25 PM

If you want to spend money there is a bracket that supports the corners with a hook to lift with engine lift but i prefer the "indiana way" .Mitch Daniels
might screw that up the indiana way like the time though.

**Palf70Step** · 03-19-2006, 09:26 PM

I put eye bolts (4) in place of the bead mounting bolts. Then I X'd 2 tied down straps between the bolts. Then I hooked up my engine hoise and away she went. No problems. Using the floor braces for the lift will lessen the chance of a bent bed side.

gferris5 · 03-19-2006, 09:28 PM

I had planned on doing mine by lifting one end at a time and having a buddy set up some saw horses and a two-by-four across them underneath that end and then do the same at the other end. The trick will be to have some casters on the saw horse's feet, then you can roll it around and do with it what you will. You will also need a good amount of space to move the bed one full bed length from over the truck. Just an idea,

northcountry67 · 03-19-2006, 10:38 PM

Just make a few phone calls and get about five people not counting yourself and lift it off. They go on nice that way also.

wibilly · 03-20-2006, 02:28 AM

around here a 12 pack buys a lot of short term help

shortymac83 · 03-20-2006, 04:54 PM

I think I"m going to try using the eye bolts...Now to figure out how to drag it from where it's at to cement so I can hook it up to the frame...hehehe...that's what the tractor is for!

67chevemall · 03-20-2006, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I put eye bolts (4) in place of the bead mounting bolts. Then I X'd 2 tied down straps between the bolts. Then I hooked up my engine hoise and away she went. No problems. Using the floor braces for the lift will lessen the chance of a bent bed side.

What he said^^

This way you can do it by yourself..

Member of the bed off, paint it , and put it back on by yourself club...

67ChevyRedneck · 03-20-2006, 05:08 PM

Also, once it's painted, it's easier to get the bed back on if the rear tires are off (put the frame on jackstands) then you don't have to lift the bed so danged high.

*rage'nrat638* · 03-20-2006, 05:18 PM

i cut two 2x4's the inside width of the bed..one in the front and one in the rear...tied on ropes around the boards ,,,used come-a-longs from the garage raffters and raised and lowered that way,set on my trailer rolled it around the yard..back to the garage..and installed no problems..

look in the last picture you will see the come-a-longs hanging there...

**hilljob26** · 03-20-2006, 06:44 PM

i took mine on and off my truck with a 6" lift by bolting some chains to the bolt holes in the bed and then jacking it up,it wanted to move one way or the other,so i just sat a couple of cinder blocks in it to even it out,worked great for me,just my .02

03-19-2006, 08:40 PM	#1
shortymac83 hmm... Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Culver, Indiana Posts: 1,631	How to lift a bed? Ok, Here is my equipment: 1 2.5 ton engine hoist 1 2.5 ton jack a bunch of jackstands (4-5) myself my dad my mom The task: Get a steel 8' long bed off of the ground up onto a 2-3' tall work frame. The frame will be constructed of 2X4's and will match the truck's frame in width. After that, how do you move a freshly painted bed onto a truck's frame without beating it up? So basically, with the use of the equipment above, I have to lift a really bloody heavy bed straight up into the air about 3'6", then set it down onto a frame. After that, I need to lift it up again, and this time MOVE IT over to the actual truck where it will be mounted. Any suggestions are welcome... __________________ 1983 Oldsmobile Delta 88 1967 Chevy C-10 stripper www.fcrperformance.com - wanna go...faster? talk to FCR.

03-19-2006, 08:56 PM	#2
JAKES 68GMC Aluminum slot wheels rule... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 6,211	Re: How to lift a bed? Use the engine crane, get a strap, and wrap the strap in through the stake pockets, and then around the whole bed itself. That way, it won't put a buttload of strain on the pockets. Thats the way I'd do it. Maybe use the floor jack to wiggle the bed off of the frame. It may be rusted/stuck. Hope this helps.

03-19-2006, 09:15 PM	#3
tcoop68 tcoop68 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cushing Oklahoma Posts: 226	Re: How to lift a bed? If you have a friend that would lone you a cherry picker,I have taken lots of beds off by my self using mine.Just take four rachet straps or short chains and attach to the four corner stake pockets and center the picker in the middle of your bed and it will come off perfectly.Make sure you adjust the two front arms out enough so it will carry the load properly.Try it I thank you will like it.

03-19-2006, 09:21 PM	#4
1969k10stepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 21,019	Re: How to lift a bed? On junk or parts trucks I use a 2 cables diagonally to form an x in the stake pockets and then use the engine lift to lift it off.Do not have experience doing this with a painted bed because mine are still in restoration.

03-19-2006, 09:25 PM	#5
1969k10stepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 21,019	Re: How to lift a bed? If you want to spend money there is a bracket that supports the corners with a hook to lift with engine lift but i prefer the "indiana way" .Mitch Daniels might screw that up the indiana way like the time though.

03-19-2006, 09:26 PM	#6
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,249	Re: How to lift a bed? I put eye bolts (4) in place of the bead mounting bolts. Then I X'd 2 tied down straps between the bolts. Then I hooked up my engine hoise and away she went. No problems. Using the floor braces for the lift will lessen the chance of a bent bed side. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

03-19-2006, 09:28 PM	#7
gferris5 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: The land of fruits and nuts Posts: 193	Re: How to lift a bed? I had planned on doing mine by lifting one end at a time and having a buddy set up some saw horses and a two-by-four across them underneath that end and then do the same at the other end. The trick will be to have some casters on the saw horse's feet, then you can roll it around and do with it what you will. You will also need a good amount of space to move the bed one full bed length from over the truck. Just an idea, __________________ Have mercy, I'm recovering from my 4x4 addiction.

03-19-2006, 10:38 PM	#8
northcountry67 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Lengby, Minnesota Posts: 225	Re: How to lift a bed? Just make a few phone calls and get about five people not counting yourself and lift it off. They go on nice that way also.

03-20-2006, 02:28 AM	#9
wibilly Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: northwestern wi Posts: 2,111	Re: How to lift a bed? around here a 12 pack buys a lot of short term help __________________ common sense isn't so common anymore

03-20-2006, 04:54 PM	#10
shortymac83 hmm... Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Culver, Indiana Posts: 1,631	Re: How to lift a bed? I think I"m going to try using the eye bolts...Now to figure out how to drag it from where it's at to cement so I can hook it up to the frame...hehehe...that's what the tractor is for! __________________ 1983 Oldsmobile Delta 88 1967 Chevy C-10 stripper www.fcrperformance.com - wanna go...faster? talk to FCR.

03-20-2006, 05:08 PM	#12
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: How to lift a bed? Also, once it's painted, it's easier to get the bed back on if the rear tires are off (put the frame on jackstands) then you don't have to lift the bed so danged high. __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

03-20-2006, 05:18 PM	#13
rage'nrat638 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: THE FALL GUY CHICAGO IL Posts: 5,883	Re: How to lift a bed? i cut two 2x4's the inside width of the bed..one in the front and one in the rear...tied on ropes around the boards ,,,used come-a-longs from the garage raffters and raised and lowered that way,set on my trailer rolled it around the yard..back to the garage..and installed no problems.. look in the last picture you will see the come-a-longs hanging there... Last edited by rage'nrat638; 07-12-2007 at 07:03 AM.

03-20-2006, 06:44 PM	#14
hilljob26 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Gypsum Kansas 67448 Posts: 1,681	Re: How to lift a bed? i took mine on and off my truck with a 6" lift by bolting some chains to the bolt holes in the bed and then jacking it up,it wanted to move one way or the other,so i just sat a couple of cinder blocks in it to even it out,worked great for me,just my .02 __________________ 21 2500hd duramax 58 apache HILLJOB GRAPHIX--for all your graphic needs My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=542497 LS ENGINE SWAP INFORMATION THREAD http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=377348 4l60 to an NP205 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...43#post3697343



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