hood removal

[Piece of Work]

Is it possible to remove a hood by yourself? How?

[Sinister]

I've done it by myself before, but my paint is less then nice. I opened the hood part way and undid the bolts on one side then the other, then lift off. It kind of tweaks the hood hinge on the second side but no permanent damage was done. Take off the forward bolts first. I did have help to put it back on though.

[cdowns]

i tie the front to an engine hoist then unbolt the hood and walk it out nice and easy// if worried about paint cover with blankets or cardboard

[leddzepp]

Use an engine hoist. I have used one to remove an entire front clip, hood and all, by myself.

[oldblue1968chevy]

i cant by myself, takes 2 people if you do it manually. DONT SIT IT IN GRASS THAT GETS WET ALOT PAINT DOWN, I NOW HAVE 'PAINTA' ON MY HOOD!!!!!!

[68gmsee]

Best to have a buddy over.. and have a six pack handy. It's not that heavy but it's awkward because of the size.

I've done it by myself but as mentioned above, I wasn't worried if I scratched the truck since it was pretty beat up. I took the upper hinge bolts and let the hood come forward to the front. Then with the help of some boards I eased it on down.

[silverstreak]

I've done it by myself before as well a few times, but that's why I now have a pinched nerve in my back, from doing dumb stuff like that when I was younger. I'd pick up a bare engine block or complete automatic trans and put it on the work bench, and think nothing of it. I highly reccomend the help of some friends or an engine crane or hoist of some kind as others have already suggested. You only have 1 back take care of it.

[Longhorn Man]

I have almost always done it by myself, both coming off and going on.
However, I also have to agree with the lower back comment.

[eagleuh1]

Hope your tall, strong and young. I'd use the engine hoist and put some old carpet or cardboard on your fenders, windshield...I know some of us ain't got no friends or live way out in the boonies.

[SATownChevy]

yea i tried it on my own once. removed one bolt on each side and then i loosened the remaining bolt on one side and then did the same on the other. i had the hood just slightly open to where i could fit. the bolt slipped and it pinned me underneath holding me down by the neck. that hood gets very heavy when its on top of you. i was struggling for a bit from the shock of it but 3 seconds later, i regrouped myself and got a good grip on it and was able to push it off of me.

after that, never tried it on my own. I can see two ways of taking it off on your own safely and not messing up the paint. as mentioned before, use an engine hoist to keep it lifted. if you dont have the fender wells installed, you can get to the bolts from underneath and slowly move the hood forward until you can grab it from the front of the truck.

easiest way, get a buddy

[silverstreak]

Here's something I just found in a catalog that I just got in the mail. It sure will make life a lot easier.

http://www.harmons.com/ItemDetail.aspx?pid=36727

[kxnomore]

If you can pull it under a tree (or in a garage with rafters), I've used motorcycle tie downs and held the hood up to a branch while I removed the bolts. worked like a champ, and then I just pushed the truck out from under the hood, and lowered the straps to the ground!!

[otsenre]

I did it but I ended up having shoulder surgery a short time later, 2 people is way to go

[rick0312]

yea just use an engine hoist if you have one. installed mine that way.

[69lemans]

I put some old towels or rags on the cowl at both rear corners in case it slips,then put a prop rod at the front to hold it up while you take the bolts out.