Cab Rotisserie Thoughts.

[aerotruk63]

Now I've seen a through the door rotisserie from another member ( Misled ) and thought I could build one similar. One criteria I was trying to find the balancing point of a bare cab. So I took some 2x4's and placed the cab on them to determine a rough balancing point on 4 sides. Theres a horizontal crease behind the striker for the door, this point of reference balanced the cab while it was laying on it's back. Hindge side there is again a horizontal crease where the cowl extension bolts to the pillar. At the roof line where all the sections come together, measure back about 2". Under the seat section where it begins to drop to meet the floor where you place your feet. Then I connected all these points to find the intersect.


Misled' s design



New Design features.

Now in his design there's a bulk of metal all around the working area in the front and on the sides. I would like to minimize the obstructions surrounding the cab so that you have the freedom to work without tripping over anything. There has to be horizontal bars on each side of the rotisserie vertical posts to balance, but if you run a pipe through the cab connecting each vertical post, you can eliminate the need for one under the cab. Would this be to much of an impediment for blasting and painting the inside of the cab?

You need 43" Diameter from the center of the pivot point to allow the cab to rotate without touching the ground.

It should be mounted on four large air filled casters so it can move across pavement and grass.

Should be able to lift the cab off the ground to a comfortable working height for installing new rocker panels and replacement floor panels, yet remain low enough to roll the assembly out of an 82" height garage door opening.

I'd like some input/ideas as to what you think would benefit/improve the concept.

[aerotruk63]

This engine hoist concept is intriguing as well, in that it leaves the bottom of the cab exposed on one side. You could rotate the cab around a pivot, at the end of the lift arm, where the chain attaches, then both rockers would be accessible.. Would not be stable though. Very similar to the cradle we would use for loading/ unloading boats off the truck and trailer.
http://www.accessiblesystems.com/bl.php


My engine hoist with larger pneumatic tires.



Another version!

[aerotruk63]

Basic design. Not mine, but I like that it's clean in design in that there's not a lot of components.
http://www.reenmachine.com/misc/Auto...e_Plan_Set.pdf

[aerotruk63]

Rokcrln's Dolly approach.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ght=flip+dolly

[aerotruk63]

Thought of a fork like setup for carrying round hay bales.

http://www.bestbuyautoequipment.com/...tCode=DOB-0308

[Rich 5150 69]

I have used two engine stands as a rotisserie for frame work on another project.

[aerotruk63]

Thought of that to, but you need 43" swing in order to rotate the cab. Their cheap to buy and would make great frame rotators as you say. Also dual purpose. Great idea.


http://forums.hybridz.org/index.php?...e-stands-pics/ This guy bought 3 and extended the two.

[aerotruk63]

Space, the final frontier! To many obstructions and you'd have to work outside all the time. We need a compact design for working in a single car garage.
http://www.rollerhoop.com/


Another
http://redwingsteelworksplans.com/20...er-plans-info/

[aerotruk63]

S. Beal winch lift. Could have triangulated at the pulley shaft at the top then the center offset post would be free right to the bottom.

Auto Rotisserie, by S. Beal on Flickr - Photo...

[Fursphere]

Anyone ever tried to do this with a Suburban / Panel body?

[aerotruk63]

Originally Posted by Fursphere

Anyone ever tried to do this with a Suburban / Panel body?

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/c...ct=3339&cat=18

[aerotruk63]

Truck bed cradle, fleetside.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...0072_200370072

[Rich 5150 69]

I think at tis point this probably the best so far, other than i would extend the outriggers for more stability.

[aerotruk63]

Specific for the cab, like that idea. Has a cross piece from off of the mount inside of the cab to prevent the two A frames from collapsing towards the center instead of continuing the rotating pipe all the way through. Cannot lift or lower in able to work at a comfortable height.
http://imageevent.com/powerwagon/rot...ppqwqo1.frog_s


Like this option for the engine lift to pick up the cab.

[Fred T]

I like the simplicity of Misled's design, but would make a couple of changes. Eliminate the center wheels, they are redundant. And replace the two lengths of angle iron with a center brace. By not having the center wheels you can run the center brace that is just above the floor, giving you enough room to clear the cab. With that you don't need the center section of the tube. It would also be nice to have things set up so you can stand with your legs through the back window and work behind the dash.

[aerotruk63]

Good point! Easier on a BBW to get into the cab to work under dash. I don't think I could squeeze through a SBW. Would have to step into the cab from the side. The door brace should allow enough room. .. Looking at Misled's picture of the cab he has it slightly tilted, the face of the dash would be plumb with the top of the window opening. So your shins would rub against the sheet metal but the dash would be right in front of you. If you rotated the cab some more you could come in through the windshield opening. Therefore the center ( stabilizing ) brace should be off centered to allow proper and safe footing. The cab when mounting, would have the stabilizing ( center ) brace offset towards the cowl section if the floor section is in it's normal horizontal axis. Possibly removable then another pipe could be inserted through the pivot pipe straight through through the cab to have unobstructed floor area when working on the outside of the cab and rolling the frame underneath.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Originally Posted by Fred T

Eliminate the center wheels, they are redundant.

They may look redundant, but they're not.
They actually help to stabilize it from tilting toward the cab because they're closer to the cab.
Here's the one I built last fall without the center wheels. It has a 3/16" 2x2 square tubing that connects the two pieces and runs through 2.5x2.5 tubing under each half which is adjustable for different cars. But, before I use it again it will have center wheels. This is a 70 Mach-1 (not a real heavy car) but without that center wheel, it makes the 2x2 span piece sag about 1", or maybe more in the middle. I would never have guessed that 3/16 would flex like that, but it does.
If you look right under the tail light, you'll see a piece of 1/2" all thread rod with a "t" welded on top and a 1/2" nut welded on the side of the 2.5x2.5 that I added to try to correct the flex. It works fine, only problem; it has to be loosened every time I move the car outside.
It's not a huge problem. And maybe I'm over cautious, but I'll be adding center wheels before it's used again. Probably right about where that all-thread is now.

[aerotruk63]

Is the chain and turnbuckle to relieve some of the pull on the mast?

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

Is the chain and turnbuckle to relieve some of the pull on the mast?

Exactly. Something that was kinda done without thinking things through.
I was never worried about the integrity of the rotisserie, but worried about what was happening to the car when the tops of the rotisserie leaned in about an inch or more. This is a unibody car and I was worried what was happening to the door alignments when it was on it's side.

[jonzcustomshop]

I know this is low tech... but on my 61 I just gently tipped the cab onto the back panel, I laid some cardboard down to cushion it from the floor...a rotisserie would be nice though..

[aerotruk63]

I like to complicate my life!

[Captainfab]

IMO if you're wanting to use a rotisserie on a cab, it would be best to build it with two sets of fixtures for attachment so that you can use if from both the sides, and the front and back. When attached on the sides, that makes it hard to replace rockers, and floor panels. When I replace rockers, I like to be able to bolt the doors on to check the fitment before final welding. And when they are attached on the front and back, that limits access somewhat to the firewall and back of the cab.

With that said, what I'm currently using is a 'dolly' similar to what rockrln designed. So far it seems to work well for me. So there's my .02

[aerotruk63]

Very much appreciated .02 as well. Experience means alot.

[The_BullDog]

ok so im new to this level of customizing and repairing so i don't feel bad telling you. i have built grills out of hoods and fenders for people. so when i read this i was scratching my head wondering how you were going to get the food cooked all the way around in a cab rotisserie. but hey ya learn something new everyday.

[aerotruk63]

Powdercoat the inside of the cab first, place the meal to be cooked inside, bake at 400F.LOL