Best way/ideas for removing the Shortbox?

[ChevyDude]

I need to remove the bed from my truck for doing the fuel cell install. I have rafters over head that I can throw a 4x4 post up there and "come along" it in the air. Or can use an engine hoist? Any help of pics would be great. I'm working in a 3 car garage so I do have some room.

[Oldtruckfanatic]

I have used the old rafter trick before and it works well but be aware that if they are not one long 2X4 accross the bottom but two put together with those funky waffle plates they arent really safe to hang anything heavy from The engine crane thing works well if you make a sling that balances the bed or buy one of those cool but expensive jigs for doing just that with. My favorite way is to buy a 12 pack and invite three buddys over for a few minutes but if your friends are anything like mine they get hard to find when there's work involved lol I have gotten good at being creative and doing things myself due to this.

[oj70chevy]

Originally Posted by Oldtruckfanatic

My favorite way is to buy a 12 pack and invite three buddys over for a few minutes but if your friends are anything like mine they get hard to find when there's work involved lol I have gotten good at being creative and doing things myself due to this.

LOL

[Palf70Step]

I made an "I" shaped beam/support brace out of old bed rails that I hooked my engine hoist to. The top and bottom of the I rest under the bed lip near the stake pockets. It doesn't put as much pressure on the bed sides with the lift that using straps to lift it would.

[ChevyDude]

Good call on those waffle plates Oldtruckfanatic! I've got them so I'll "sister" on a two by four to strengthen them. How much do you think an empty shortbox without a tailgate weighs???

[dave666693]

I just removed my long box. I used a floor jack and some various length wood to get each corner slowely up. After the front was high enough I slid a pipe through and welded legs on wide enough to clear the tires and drove out from under it. The back is sitting on saw horses because it didn't need to be as high. The buddy system is the best but I didn't have anyone close enough, or maybe I just don't have any friends

[Oldtruckfanatic]

My guess would be around 600 pounds give or take a couple hundred. so if you spread it out over a few rafters you should have it made I would just watch carefully while doing the lifting and listen for the crackle of stressing wood and most of all BE CAREFUL!!! nobody wants to see pictures of your garage roof on top of your truck or hear about you getting hurt. don't forget to get some pics of the fuel cell install though.

[hd78glide]

Plain old man power. My neighbor and I lifted a long fleetside without the wood floor off my 67 last week. It was heavy, but the two of us managed.

[ChevyDude]

There is no problem lifting it off with man power. I play on a hockey team and a few of us could lift it off no problem. The problem is Room! It will be off for about 2 weeks while I run the fuel lines , clean and paint the frame. So if it could hang above while I was doing this the wife could still park inside the garage and I can get the work done.

[oj70chevy]

Originally Posted by ChevyDude

I need to remove the bed from my truck for doing the fuel cell install. I have rafters over head that I can throw a 4x4 post up there and "come along" it in the air. Or can use an engine hoist? Any help of pics would be great. I'm working in a 3 car garage so I do have some room.

I know some one has some pics (start to finish) of how to do this. I am also interested in doing this so I can replace all parts under the bed.

[ChevyDude]

I've got all the bolts out and the bed is ready to go UP! I'm staring up at the rafters trying to gather a plan. My truck is already taking up 2 spaces in the 3 car garage, the deal was I have to have one stall for my wifes car. So the bed just has to go UP and HANG for a week or two. Harbor Freight has an electric hoist for 80 bucks or so...maybe secure it above to a couple 4x4's and just suck it up? I'll git it done..not sure how...but she's going UP!

[CochinoFilipino]

Originally Posted by Oldtruckfanatic

My favorite way is to buy a 12 pack and invite three buddys over for a few minutes but if your friends are anything like mine they get hard to find when there's work involved lol I have gotten good at being creative and doing things myself due to this.

That's because you only get one twelver. 4 guys require a minimum one case.