wondering if this crazy idea might work (since i don't have a hoist and am working solo)...

1. park the truck under the A-frame swing-set in the backyard
2. jack up truck until cab touches cross beam
3. secure cab to beam w/ straps
4. remove cab mounting hardware
5. lower chassis to ground, roll back

...tho i guess i'd need to remove the steering column in order to be able roll the chassis out from under the hanging cab.

questions:
A. how much does cab weigh (approx)?

B. i've seen references to "the doghouse" -- does that mean the front-end sheet metal minus the cab itself? if so, can it be removed as a unit, or only piece-by-piece? (how many pieces?)

C. how high does cab need to be lifted in order to clear whatever might be in the way for removal (front to rear, not side to side)?

thanks in advance.

 

The doghouse is indeed the front sheet metal: fenders (both inner and outer), grille, and valances. It is easily removed as a unit. While a bit clumsy, it has been handled by some folks working solo.

As for the cab removal, there have been a few that used an engine hoist, with some bracing, to do the lift. There should be a thread or two on this.

 

Don't bother with the swing set, get a couple of lengths of 2x4 and run a bolt through them at the end of the cherry picker arm and lift away. I use this setup all the time, unfortunately I cant find a pic of a truck cab but here is one where I used the cherry picker to lift the body off my 40 Ford coupe.

 

But he doesn't have a hoist

 

Got any neighbors/friends with strong backs? Or maybe a forklift or backhoe?
The cabs are not really super heavy, more bulky/awkward.

 

Surely you jest...who takes on a job like this without the basic tools needed? If you can't afford $200 for a virtually indispensable tool like this then it's time to find a new hobby.

 

This is what I used last time. The cabs probably weigh 250 or so. Do you think the swingset will be high enough? Then how will you get it down from there. Maybe rent a hoist and use the 2x4's. Get some 3 or 4 inch casters that swivel and build a dolly to set the cab on.

 

This is the same set up Charlie uses but with a truck cab, I used tree and a couple chain hoists when I pulled the body of my panel off the frame..I don't know your strength but myself and a friend lifted a pickup cab off a frame and carried to the rear without much problem, 4 guys could do it very easy..

 

I used a couple of 2x4's and my neighbor and his two sons. Not that heavy and it lifts off pretty easy.

 

Used the same approach to put it back on although I think there were only two of us when we re-assembled it.

 

I am 64 yrs old with one bad hand and arm. My strong 17 yr old grandson and I lifted the stripped cab off the frame no problem at all. We did have 4 short, about 24" tall, wooden horses to set it on.
We later set it on the floor and set it on the cowl per the instructions from another FTE member.

 

Thanks for the replies... sounds like I can skip the swing set and just man-handle it off with a friend.

Nope, no hoist (to each his own). Someday, I imagine, but for now that $200 will buy me a passenger door.

I'm curious about setting it on the cowl -- why is that?

 

Positioning on the cowl can allow work on the floor / corners.

 

Strip the cab of every thing and it doesn't weigh much. Windshield too or it will be front heavy and want to tip. I used my son and two of his then 14 year old friends and we just lifted it off without boards.

 

I mostly work alone. I did mine like this, which I copied off of some else's build thread on here. It took a while to get it level. If I had it to do over again, I'd probably take the doors off and maybe the windshield before I did it again.







Keith