DIY Wood Gantry or 2 Ton Engine Hoist/Lift??

['68OrangeSunshine]

I second the hydraulic hoist. For 2-and-a-half hundred bucks, you have a steel unit that will last a long time, not warp, then rot. And how much would that wood gantry set you back in lumber anyway?
Now a steel gantry with I-beam uprights would be the ultimate deal, but, we're into thousands if you don't have access to scrap steel and big welding skills.

I was lucky enough to find the "K-piece" base to a 2-ton engine hoist outside the dumpster of an auto parts store that was renovating [after a roof collapse]. I assumed they didn't want it anymore, so I liberated it. My buddy had mad welding skills. I bought all necessary steel extrusions, casters, hydraulic cylinder and other stuff, and we rocked it out.
I may have shelled out more that I could have gotten a new one out-the-door retail, but the project was fun.

[cleszkie]

Go down to your local Home Depot or U-Haul store. Pick up 4 day laborers with strong backs. Get them to lift the bed and set it down on your frame. Take them back to Home Depot and pay them each a few bucks. Repeat this process for future bed removal. This will cost you a lot less time and money than either the gantry or hoist alternatives. It sounds like I'm making a joke, but I'm serious. And the laborers always appreciate the work/money.

[HO455]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

I second the hydraulic hoist. For 2-and-a-half hundred bucks, you have a steel unit that will last a long time, not warp, then rot. And how much would that wood gantry set you back in lumber anyway?
Now a steel gantry with I-beam uprights would be the ultimate deal, but, we're into thousands if you don't have access to scrap steel and big welding skills.

I was lucky enough to find the "K-piece" base to a 2-ton engine hoist outside the dumpster of an auto parts store that was renovating [after a roof collapse]. I assumed they didn't want it anymore, so I liberated it. My buddy had mad welding skills. I bought all necessary steel extrusions, casters, hydraulic cylinder and other stuff, and we rocked it out.
I may have shelled out more that I could have gotten a new one out-the-door retail, but the project was fun.

Where did you get that hoist? That isn't your run of the mill HF cherry picker. I've been looking for a nice tall one like that to pull the engine out of my 52. It will save me from having to pull the front clip off and set the axle on the ground.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by HO455

Where did you get that hoist? That isn't your run of the mill HF cherry picker. I've been looking for a nice tall one like that to pull the engine out of my 52. It will save me from having to pull the front clip off and set the axle on the ground.

The short answer is we custom-built it.

I ''found'' the base [the "K" shaped part] outside a local auto parts store, leaning up against their dumpster. I sorta ''helped'' them get rid of it, see?
I just bought more extrusions, etc. as needed. My friend did the welding. The hydraulic ram was from Harbor Freight. We made it one-piece, not foldable, for more stability. I guess we built the mast as tall as we needed for our engine pick. The C/10 was up on jackstands.
We did partially dismantle the doghouse of my '68. I think the pass side fender stayed on for reference.

[HO455]

I may go that route too. That would be less work than the alternative. Thanks.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by HO455

I may go that route too. That would be less work than the alternative. Thanks.

Sure. If you were local [as a well-known, long time board member] I'd let you borrow it, for a 12-pack, of course.