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

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by hotwls13

That’s a shortbed isn’t it?? I don’t doubt my lift can handle the weight (even at the 1/2t length). It’s the length of the longbed that gives me concern. Due to the balance or lack of balance from being too far rearward.

Have you got a load-leveler bar?

[Knight72]

Originally Posted by hotwls13

That’s a shortbed isn’t it?? I don’t doubt my lift can handle the weight (even at the 1/2t length). It’s the length of the longbed that gives me concern. Due to the balance or lack of balance from being too far rearward.

I used my two ton to pull my long bed last week. Four solid ratchet straps and chain hook. No problems. Never felt too sketchy.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Rock and Roll!

[hotwls13]

So what else will work? I tried the 2x4 way in a H. It lifts the back but front not lifting. Would chains or straps of different lengths force it to rise front and back at the same time even though it’s unbalanced?? Boom and legs are about a foot too short to hit center.

Cant post pics right now cause of some token thing

[hotwls13]

Well, I tried the straps way last night. Picked up some longer/stronger straps at HD.

Put one strap to front 2 stake pockets, one to middle stake pockets and one to rear pockets.

Couple problems....

This raggedy/rusty bed wasn't having it. The center drivers side stake pocket came loose at the bottom. I ended up not being able to use the center pockets for fear of doing further damage to the pocket/bed.

I was able to lift the FRONT of the bed. The rear stayed on the sawhorses the whole time. I think the front of the lift ram and the back edge of the bed are creating a fulcrum (pivot point) which isn't allowing the rear to raise.

Tons of tension on the straps (obviously). I didn't really like how the front strap was on the lift hook either. I'm going to get a heavy duty D-ring, put all the straps in that, then hook that to the top link on lift chain. That will give me another 6" of lift and make everything more secure.

I think I'll be able to install the bed this way. Just lift the front with straps, remove front sawhorses, roll truck under, set front of bed down on truck, get front two bolts in, move lift towards back of bed, lift back, remove rear sawhorses, then drop the back on.

Geesh, I should just call a bunch a guys over. haha, I was trying to get this to be a easy one man job but it's becoming a pain.

[mikecaddy500]

Buy 4 10 ft chains with hooks from menards. hook to hole in bottom of stake holes , front right to back left and opposite. you can slide lift forward or back to balance the bed.

[RichardJ]

The center of gravity of the bed is a fixed point. You can't alter that by using cloth straps, wood braces or if you welded a lifting hook on the bed at a point which would be the bed's center of gravity.
If the straps are pulling the bed apart, because the angle of the pull, that would obviously be a bad choice.
Try lifting with the wood and adding a bucket of water to the rear of the bed. Assuming the total weight of the bed, wood and water doesn't exceed the total lifting capacity, you should be OK.

[hotwls13]

After messing with the straps a bit (and also adding a heavy duty d-ring to keep straps contained) I think I’ve got it almost balanced. Front is lifting first but back right after.

Won’t get to putting the bed on til next week though. Found a bunch more to do on the truck before the bed goes back on.

[hotwls13]

Finally!!

Well, the bed is back on!! Used the lift and I had my SOn and Father in law to help guide things. It was a little tougher than your typical install since 3 of the bed bolts are captured between the two welded floor panels.

This bed is in such poor shape, I'm pretty sure I'll be doing all this in the future once this truck is running/driving (so I have something to pickup a new bed with).

I think a combination of wonky, beat up bed, and maybe worn cab mounts and things don't lineup that great. I tugged, pulled, etc etc (all while only having bolts hand tightened and very loose). No wiggle room to get the bed slid over. Where it sits is gonna have to be good enough for now.

Onto the next headache, getting the fuel fill line to work. UGH!

[71sierragrande]

If you can afford a few 2x4's, you can lift almost anything. Make four A frames and join two each at the apex with a 45 cross brace(think of two swing sets parked right next to each other). Strap from four stake pockets and yank it up. Re-use 2x4's as needed and it didn't cost a dime.