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...

[KEL]

Thanks !
It looks soooo easy when someone else is doing it.

[WadmalawJoe]

Excellent!

[67chevemall]

Join the Group!!

[67chevemall]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/group.php?groupid=59

[domeier]

Clever. Very clever.

[bollybib]

Next time I try this I'm gonna make sure I have a crane on hand and do it like you did !

Instead of like this:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...2&postcount=26
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...3&postcount=27

[Southern Shaker]

And this years Nobel Prize Goes to ...BOB!

[TexasSteve]

Originally Posted by bollybib

Next time I try this I'm gonna make sure I have a crane on hand and do it like you did !

A tree limb or roof rafter works good too, if you have no engine lift. Very stable too.

[ecgate]

Do you have a one man cab removal tool also?

[CG]

Originally Posted by 67chevemall

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/group.php?groupid=59

This is hilarious ... do you guys have get togethers at the local chiropractor?

[bobs409]

Originally Posted by ecgate

Do you have a one man cab removal tool also?

Funny you should ask.

The same "tools" do that too. Just make sure you extend the beam out enough so the legs of the hoist don't get in the way of the tires when you roll the frame out. (it's ok to turn the wheels a little on truck to clear)

Note the engine block and transmission on the back of the hoist. This was needed due to the beam being extended so far but worked perfectly. RED NECK INGENUITY!

"No cabs or boxes were harmed in the making of this guide"

[bobs409]

Originally Posted by Southern Shaker

And this years Nobel Prize Goes to ...BOB!

Thank you. I accept.

[RenoKeene]

Very well done! Tree limb and chain hoist works well also.
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[cdowns]

an "engine crane" ???

i have used for years // remove and install tailgate, doors ,hood, front clip ,cab, bed, frame an 80gallon compressor heck i even use it to lift motorcycles for service, lifting sandblast cabinet

imagination an understanding of balance and leverage will works wonders

[Vandy5]

awesome idea this will be coming in handy as i usually work by myself

[ole dollor]

yep that is a good way to do it by yourself...thanks for the info...save your back as long as you can.

[Husker_Fan]

Fantastic idea Bob.....thanks for sharing.

[t300]

Great idea! Out of curiosity any idea what a (long) box weighs? 350lbs or so? Just a wild guess
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[PAWS 72]

Originally Posted by ole dollor

yep that is a good way to do it by yourself...thanks for the info...save your back as long as you can.

Especially after 7 back surgeries.I know

[Wasted Income]

Badass. That's a great idea.

[Leonard1]

Cool. I use the 4x4 method as well, except I put one crossways close to the front, and another at the rear, and run a 6 footer under both length wise with the bed. Then I just wrap a chain around the 6' and lift it with my hoist. It takes a couple of tries to get it balanced, but once you do the bed is very stable. It doesn't want to teeter as bad as using just one.

[swamp rat]

Nice!!!!!!

[Keith Seymore]

Yep.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=342926&page=5

Mine was a shortbox, which probably allowed me to use the existing engine hoist tubing.

On earlier trucks we had a fifth wheel hitch, so we would just undo the box bolts and pick it up using the hitch.

K

[motorcritter]

Rolling it around on gravel!? Who needs a 'spa membership'?
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