add a steel milk crate and there's no stopping me. Haha.
Ease The Pain
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 432
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From: MASS
Ease The Pain
These trucks are the easiest, yet hardest trucks to work on!!
How does everyone work under the hood? I cant reach anything without laying across the radiator or engine and that is not comfortable. I've tried a small step ladder and basically lay across the engine to work on stuff. IT HURTS!! Im 6'1" and my truck is a stock suspention F250. I am in the process of replacing valve cover gaskets and may have to remove the manifold for other reasons. Short of taking off the fenders, hood and all that, is there an easier apporach?
Any suggestions, throw them out there!!! Matress pad, blankets, sitting on the radiator, etc. Perhaps it's another one of the nuances of owning these beauties...
How does everyone work under the hood? I cant reach anything without laying across the radiator or engine and that is not comfortable. I've tried a small step ladder and basically lay across the engine to work on stuff. IT HURTS!! Im 6'1" and my truck is a stock suspention F250. I am in the process of replacing valve cover gaskets and may have to remove the manifold for other reasons. Short of taking off the fenders, hood and all that, is there an easier apporach?
Any suggestions, throw them out there!!! Matress pad, blankets, sitting on the radiator, etc. Perhaps it's another one of the nuances of owning these beauties...
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,157
Likes: 3
I agree. My back kills after working on my truck. They have tire ladders like this.
But the problem is the hood hinge is in the way.
I also saw a ladder type deal that you lay on your stomach and it goes over the engine area, but you wouldn't have much leverage and your shoulders would get tired.
You almost have to sit in the engine compartment.
But the problem is the hood hinge is in the way.
I also saw a ladder type deal that you lay on your stomach and it goes over the engine area, but you wouldn't have much leverage and your shoulders would get tired.
You almost have to sit in the engine compartment.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,940
Likes: 8
From: Southern Oregon Coast
Last time I pulled my intake off, I sat on the radiator with my legs straddling the engine...
I have one of those tire step things - I got mine at Fred Meyer - It's adjustable. Works well for some things but you gotta lock the e-brake otherwise, you'll be rocking the truck back-n-forth...
I have one of those tire step things - I got mine at Fred Meyer - It's adjustable. Works well for some things but you gotta lock the e-brake otherwise, you'll be rocking the truck back-n-forth...
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,395
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From: Alabama
Sitting in the engine compartment works for some stuff...still not the most comfortable, but can work...I have an aluminum work bench that works, but still the same thing...bending over and stretching...I have actually thought about digging a pit, so I could just sit or lay on the ground prostrate and work...don't think the wife would go for that one though!
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 1
From: Huntington WV
When I have it in the garage an need to get something on the front of it I just use a ladder to lean across it or just step up on the front bumper. For me its easy to work on 5'7 135lbs an getting under it is easy with a creeper an have the front up on a set of ramps. The thing I like bout it is there is plenty of room under the hood to move around with just a 360 in there.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 778
Likes: 2
From: southeast Idaho
I had some 1" square tubing lying around so I built me a little stand about a foot high to stand on, could be any height though, 4' wide or so with plenty of depth so I can stand flat foot anywhere on it that works quite well for me..
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Bishop, CA
Trending Topics
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,157
Likes: 3
The problem with stools/steps for me is when I lean in over the engine, they tend to slide out away from the truck.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 3
From: Halifx Pa
This is what I did when I pulled my 300 out. It just so happened the district attorney's office called and at the end of the conversation, they ask what I was doing on my day off, I told them they wouldn't believe me if I told them. 
I usually use a small wooden three step ladder, but sometimes it kicks out and I fall on the radiator support which usually causes a few four letter words to eminate from the garage.
This usually tells me it is time for a drink so I go to my old Pepsi machine I have in the garage, drop 50 cents in and have a cold beer!
I usually use a small wooden three step ladder, but sometimes it kicks out and I fall on the radiator support which usually causes a few four letter words to eminate from the garage.
This usually tells me it is time for a drink so I go to my old Pepsi machine I have in the garage, drop 50 cents in and have a cold beer!
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Frayed ends of sanity
Well brother I feel your pain I'm 6'8" and my F250 has an 8" lift and 38.5's.................I usually have a SMALLER friend help out OR I'll use boat cushions and whatever padding I can use..............
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 2
From: The Vieux Ford, Kansas
I highly recommend 1977F250Custom4x4's method if you have the radiator out, I also use a 12" by 18" limestone block that I can stand on and it doesn't kick out. I have also been known to sit with my feet on the front crossmember and my butt on the radiator support but that get to be a pain in the a$$ after a while. Makes me really enjoy working on my Comet, but when ever I am crawling around on the ground under the Comet that make s realize how much I like working on my truck.
-John
-John
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Franklin KY
I have about a foot slope in the door way of my shop, so I pull the front bumper up about even with the door way and stand right inside the door way of the shop and it puts me about a foot taller. Works great. unless its raining. I'm about 6ft by the way.
Josh
Josh