Removing A Cab

[av8tr33337]

I've had several people ask me about the way I removed my cab with an engine hoist or as I call it a "cherry picker". I know this was not my original idea because I saw it here first on someones build thread, but I get several questions from people on the safest and easiest way to use this method. This is only how I did it and someone may have a better method.



Use a good 2X8 that about 4 inches longer than the width of the cab. Don't try to simply go through the window openings as you could screw up your doors . Slip the cherry picker boom through the window opening of one of your doors till the tip of the boom is about centered in the front window. Raise it till its about 6 inches from the ceiling of the cab. Slide your board in through the window opening letting it ride the top of the cherry picker. Once you have it close, raise the boom until the board makes contact with the top of the door openings. 3 things to Check for: Make sure the board has about 2inches sticking out both sides of the cab. Make sure the board is as far forward in the door opening as possible without getting into the radius. (this should balance the cab front to back) Make sure the tip of the boom is centered in the front window. You are ready to lift. Make sure the floor is swept well. Running into debris will cause the cab to swing. Also to help avoid swinging, try not to push on the cab. You should be able to glide easily with a clean floor by simply pushing on the cherry picker.

If a 2X8 makes you nervous go with a 4X6

Hope this helps. Remember, there are many ways to skin a cat. I usually work alone and this is an easy way for me to remove a cab by myself. I'm sure there are other ways as well.

[sighlurr]

http://www.lewisfabricationdesign.com/products.aspx

[1-ton of fun]

here is mine, built from a few 2x4's and some bolts

[1-ton of fun]

a few pics of the lift in action

[OrrieG]

I like the idea of using the lift, here is what I do. I built my shop with a 10' ceiling and 9' doors to accomodate taking off bodies of vehicles with racks and stuff on the roof. I had the roof/floor trusses (attic is like a bonus room) built with 3K point loads in three location, one at each end of the garage bay and one in the center. I use an antique 2 ton chain hoist for the lifting. The drawback with using the engine lift is the legs are where the cab stand is, at least in my case.

[av8tr33337]

I knew that others would chime in with some good how to's I really like the beam that One-ton-of-fun made. I think I'll do that also for when I start rebuilding my cab. sure dont want to drop it when its about done.

[dennis57]

Here is the one I built. It works ok but you really need someone to help balance the cab. I'm going to rework it before putting the cab back on.

[bensimmons_05]

I usually give this guy a call. His rates are outrageous!!!! So I'm going to look into one of the methods you guys are doing.

[53choptop]

I have an A-frame that I could not live without. The only limitation I have is I have to do everything out side of the garage (pull an engine, cab etc) and then roll it into the garage to work on it.....but working on building a garage tall enough to solve that issue

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by 53choptop

i have an a-frame that i could not live without. The only limitation i have is i have to do everything out side of the garage (pull an engine, cab etc) and then roll it into the garage to work on it.....but working on building a garage tall enough to solve that issue

awesome

[rgunlock]

I use a chain hoist like Orry, but made a rig to attach the hoist to. Upper beam can be adjusted to the cab by drilling new holes in the uprights. 2x4 bolts to the lower beam to spread the load in the doorway. Worked great, easy for 1 guy to use, and no damage to the cab.

[mr48chev]

I'd think having the board, or lift piece you use across the cab attached firmly to the cherry picker like 1 ton of fun showed would be a must for safety.

I built this A frame years ago and use it to lift cabs, engines, car bodies and anything else that I need to lift.


I combined it with the cherry picker to lift the Model A body and frame off the trailer


One has to figure out how to make the best use of what he or she has available but make sure that it is a safe process for you and what you are working on.

[1958Warrior]

I also work alone , out in the drive way not a lot of room and have to keep things neat for the code inspector.
I used a few sets of 5 ton jack stands , I had raised the frame . I then placed jack stands under the cab steps and lowered the frame. leaving the cab elevated. then rolled the frame out from under the cab. was able to then raise and level the frame to do the Camaro / Trans am clip install with it out of the way.

[1958Warrior]

here is a pic

[IMG][/IMG]

[roger55]

[chip46wis]

I use the cherry picker type with plans/ideas from this board,Now the only hard part is getting it back from everyone that borrows it! Real genius and a much SAFER way to do it.

[MARTINSR]

Interesting stuff guys.

Brian

[dsraven]

I lifted my cab using the cherry picker idea with chains attached to the cab floor. I found the cab becomes quite tippy and can be a handfull if you are working by yourself. the cab is not really balanced front to rear so it starts to tip towards the front right away. the firewall area means more metal there I suppose? it would be better to use a crosspiece that lifts by the door openings, either from above or underneath, because that way the cab is hanging like a pendulum from above rather that lifting from a lower point. if you use a strap from the rafters the cab can be better supported using a spreader bar the same width as the cab, that way the strap doesn't tend to try to reshape the cab into a narrower object or cut the strap on a sharp edge like the rain gutters. less chance of damage to any parts, including the operator, ha ha.

[SFFD103]

Here is what I did with help from my buddies.

[mr48chev]

Show off lol, It's always nice to have friends with good toys.

[Getter-Done]

That a Cool Lift

Here is another old thread for people that are looking for this idea.

Link: https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...light=cab+lift

[joedoh]

haha a telehandler, good for removing a cab and putting it on the roof of a two story building.

[vintovka]

I swapped mine by my lonesome with a chain hoist hung from a big oak tree in the cow pasture. Cow pies were the major impediments.

[56 3100]

I used same set up as 1 ton works well with doors off. A 2ND person to steady it will be ideal.

[MiraclePieCo]

Originally Posted by SFFD103

Here is what I did with help from my buddies.

I tried one of those but it didn't work at all. Can someone tell me what I did wrong?