Best method of lifting cab from frame. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

70c10swb · 08-03-2005, 08:02 PM

Well im at that stage where im ready to lift the cab off. It is loose and ready to go. I am planing on useing a cherry picker. What would be the best spot for mounting the chains? Should i leave the doors on or can i take them off?

I tried useing the google search but came up with nothing.Thanks in advance for your help!

LUV2XCLR8 · 08-03-2005, 08:05 PM

Did you look through the FAQ's section

70c10swb · 08-03-2005, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUV2XCLR8

Did you look through the FAQ's section

yep got nothing, unless i mised it

LUV2XCLR8 · 08-03-2005, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70c10swb

yep got nothing, unless i mised it

Hmmmmmmmmm, not sure, maybe someone else will jump in

GloryHound · 08-03-2005, 08:51 PM

I had my cab stripped with no doors, seats, steering column... Then I took a 4X4 wrapped in cloth padding nailed two 8" long 2X4's on the ends so nothing slipped off the 4X4 and another two 2X4's only 4" long to keep the straps from sliding up against the cab. Then we hoisted it off using my neighbors backHoe with no damage.

**Palf70Step** · 08-03-2005, 09:02 PM

Best bet is to leave the doors in for stability and less flex of the cab. I am going to sound dumb here, but I have heard the term "cherry picker" used for several things. If you mean an engine lift, then I have seen them go through a side window or through front windshield area hooking a strap to the seat belt bolts and lift. Gotta watch as it is front heavy.

If you mean cherry picker like in big lift truck, uses a strap looped through the front of the doors and up over the top of the cab.

70c10swb · 08-03-2005, 09:14 PM

cherry picker = engine lift

i was thinking of the seat belt holes but was concerned with it being front heavy like you said

neonlarry · 08-03-2005, 10:01 PM

Here is a neat setup Solver made:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=113397

86swb · 08-03-2005, 11:33 PM

Being a country boy, when we did mine we used the ol' shade tree method. Chain host pulled it off the frame and pushed the frame from under the cab. This was on the "70 SWB I use to have. Worked fine.

krue · 08-04-2005, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86swb

Being a country boy, when we did mine we used the ol' shade tree method. Chain host pulled it off the frame and pushed the frame from under the cab. This was on the "70 SWB I use to have. Worked fine.

There's a pic somewhere showing when I did it.

jay-dawg · 08-04-2005, 04:07 AM

4 guys, a case of beer and a large pizza should do the trick!

86swb · 08-04-2005, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay-dawg

4 guys, a case of beer and a large pizza should do the trick!

Isn't it a rule that after the beer and pizza you should not work for at least an hour or two and take a good nap? I am pretty sure that rule is in there somewhere!

krue · 08-04-2005, 10:06 AM

You don't give them the beer or pizza until they are done!

86swb · 08-04-2005, 10:11 AM

That does sound like a much better plan.

UP GRADE · 08-04-2005, 10:31 AM

check this out. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=112976

TP from Cntl PA · 08-04-2005, 01:12 PM

Leave the doors on the cab..............Run two GOOD slings through the doors, then lift off with a Loader Tractor. Atleast that is what I do.

IMO, I don't see how anyone could work on one of these old beast without a loader tractor. We use mine for everything from pulling cabs, moving frames, parts on skids, and we've found its alot easier to pull engines with it too.

jamesi20 · 08-04-2005, 08:23 PM

I made up the unit in solvers post and it works great!

stllookn · 08-04-2005, 08:48 PM

I don't know about the best but it is quick and uses tools that I have around the house. One man job too!

BTW...no problem with cab integrity or flex with the doors removed and it is lighter this way!

86SILVERADO · 08-04-2005, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stllookn

I don't know about the best but it is quick and uses tools that I have around the house. One man job too!

BTW...no problem with cab integrity or flex with the doors removed and it is lighter this way!

Now that is pretty slick... can you get it high enough to clear the motor? I know a good level and stable surface is needed for that method but looks like a good one to me.

Oh never mind I get it. You just slide the cab sideways off the frame that way. Nice method.

BurnoutNova · 08-04-2005, 10:43 PM

i found there really not as heavy when you completely strip them, glass and the tank really make a diffrence.

70c10swb · 08-04-2005, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stllookn

I don't know about the best but it is quick and uses tools that I have around the house. One man job too!

BTW...no problem with cab integrity or flex with the doors removed and it is lighter this way!

i like that.

how did you go about that?

lots of good ideas in this thread. Would it qualify as a FAQ?

stllookn · 08-05-2005, 02:21 AM

I just use a couple of 2x4's (or a 4x4) to span the cab through the front and rear window openings. I just place the engine lift tubing under the 4x4 and lift. It is best to anchor the top of tubing to the 4x4 using an inverted "u" bracket the bolts to the square tubing on the lift (though the same hole that holds the chain) and to the 4x4. Get the balance point first before you attach it to the 4x4. This will prevent the 4x4 from slipping off the top of the engine lift tubing. When you move the lift the cab can swing quite a bit in every direction so it is nice to know the that it is anchored to the top of the lift. I had one slip off once and hit the concrete...no damage but scared the heck out of the wife, who was in the house and heard it. These cabs are pretty durable!

I have used this method with windows still in the cab and with the doors on. The 4x4 has to be cut exact to sit on the rubber gaskets and just touch the glass. The balance point of the cab is toward the windshield just over the dash. Move slowly and it is good to have an extra set of hands to keep the swaying to a minimum.

jec · 08-05-2005, 12:58 PM

I used a couple of small chain hoists (1/4 ton) hanging from the rafters of my garage. Two (2) 2 x 6's were placed under the rafters for support at the front of cab.

The cab was definitely front heavy and I wanted to rotate backwards to place on a small trailer. See pictures. During rotation, almost all of the weight was held by the chains in the front.

The cab mount points were used on the front and a nylon strap used on the back. As I rotated backwards the strap was gradually slid toward the front of cab. Notice this was done with the windshield still intact, however, back glass was removed to lay done on trailer.

matthufham · 08-05-2005, 01:24 PM

the problem with using an engine hoist is setting it down. unless you have a dolley on wheels that goes above the jack's legs, you're going to end up using a buddy or two getting it off the jack.

**Don Brace** · 08-05-2005, 02:33 PM

This is how my two grandsons and I did it. No problems.

We lifted another cab using bolts ran through the cab mounting holes. The bolts were attached to chains that were then attached to the cherry picker. The cherry pickers arm was inside of the cab. This is actually the best way to do it. The cab is much more stable.

08-03-2005, 08:02 PM	#1
70c10swb no brain no headache Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cape Cod MA Posts: 567	Best method of lifting cab from frame. Well im at that stage where im ready to lift the cab off. It is loose and ready to go. I am planing on useing a cherry picker. What would be the best spot for mounting the chains? Should i leave the doors on or can i take them off? I tried useing the google search but came up with nothing.Thanks in advance for your help! __________________ 1996 GMC Sierra z71 1970 SWB 2wd (project)

08-03-2005, 08:05 PM	#2
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,470	Did you look through the FAQ's section __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Big Piggy: "Goliath" 07 Kodiak C4500 Lil Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T

08-03-2005, 09:02 PM	#6
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,720	Best bet is to leave the doors in for stability and less flex of the cab. I am going to sound dumb here, but I have heard the term "cherry picker" used for several things. If you mean an engine lift, then I have seen them go through a side window or through front windshield area hooking a strap to the seat belt bolts and lift. Gotta watch as it is front heavy. If you mean cherry picker like in big lift truck, uses a strap looped through the front of the doors and up over the top of the cab. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

08-03-2005, 09:14 PM	#7
70c10swb no brain no headache Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cape Cod MA Posts: 567	cherry picker = engine lift i was thinking of the seat belt holes but was concerned with it being front heavy like you said __________________ 1996 GMC Sierra z71 1970 SWB 2wd (project)

08-03-2005, 10:01 PM	#8
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,746	Here is a neat setup Solver made: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=113397 __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

08-03-2005, 08:51 PM	#5
GloryHound Working on a Nova. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: ## Posts: 506	I had my cab stripped with no doors, seats, steering column... Then I took a 4X4 wrapped in cloth padding nailed two 8" long 2X4's on the ends so nothing slipped off the 4X4 and another two 2X4's only 4" long to keep the straps from sliding up against the cab. Then we hoisted it off using my neighbors backHoe with no damage.

08-03-2005, 11:33 PM	#9
86swb Born a Chevy Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 10,221	Being a country boy, when we did mine we used the ol' shade tree method. Chain host pulled it off the frame and pushed the frame from under the cab. This was on the "70 SWB I use to have. Worked fine. __________________ John or 86 (Viet Nam combat Vet-BIG RED ONE) '65-'66 1986 Chevy SWB Silverado 1984 Chevy Longbed Silverado New Kia Sportage (Wife's car and she loves it) CHEVY, American made w/pride! If you can read this, YOU NEED TO THANK A TEACHER! If you can read this in ENGLISH, PLEASE THANK A SOLDIER! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS OUR FIGHTING TROOPS

08-04-2005, 04:07 AM	#11
jay-dawg chevelito Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI USA Posts: 1,609	4 guys, a case of beer and a large pizza should do the trick! __________________ New deadline...when my son can drive. Aloha from Honolulu, HI

08-04-2005, 10:06 AM	#13
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	You don't give them the beer or pizza until they are done! __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

08-04-2005, 10:11 AM	#14
86swb Born a Chevy Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 10,221	That does sound like a much better plan. __________________ John or 86 (Viet Nam combat Vet-BIG RED ONE) '65-'66 1986 Chevy SWB Silverado 1984 Chevy Longbed Silverado New Kia Sportage (Wife's car and she loves it) CHEVY, American made w/pride! If you can read this, YOU NEED TO THANK A TEACHER! If you can read this in ENGLISH, PLEASE THANK A SOLDIER! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS OUR FIGHTING TROOPS

08-04-2005, 10:31 AM	#15
UP GRADE one set closer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Memphis TN. Posts: 722	check this out. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=112976

08-04-2005, 01:12 PM	#16
TP from Cntl PA Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Central PA....In the Berg of Nisbet Posts: 790	Leave the doors on the cab..............Run two GOOD slings through the doors, then lift off with a Loader Tractor. Atleast that is what I do. IMO, I don't see how anyone could work on one of these old beast without a loader tractor. We use mine for everything from pulling cabs, moving frames, parts on skids, and we've found its alot easier to pull engines with it too. __________________ '72 K-20 EFI'ed 250 Inline/4spd stake body, Farm Truck '71 C-20 Cummins Diesel Powered, In storage thanks to $5.00 diesel! '69 3500 GMC 305V-6/4spd, Still under reconstruction.......... Inlines Rule! 6 soldiers standing is better than 8 laying down!!!!!!!!

08-04-2005, 08:23 PM	#17
jamesi20 Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: NORTHEAST OHIO Posts: 493	I made up the unit in solvers post and it works great!

08-04-2005, 08:48 PM	#18
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	I don't know about the best but it is quick and uses tools that I have around the house. One man job too! BTW...no problem with cab integrity or flex with the doors removed and it is lighter this way! Attached Images __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary) Last edited by stllookn; 08-04-2005 at 08:53 PM.

08-04-2005, 10:43 PM	#20
BurnoutNova Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: CA Posts: 2,057	i found there really not as heavy when you completely strip them, glass and the tank really make a diffrence.



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08-05-2005, 02:21 AM	#22
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	I just use a couple of 2x4's (or a 4x4) to span the cab through the front and rear window openings. I just place the engine lift tubing under the 4x4 and lift. It is best to anchor the top of tubing to the 4x4 using an inverted "u" bracket the bolts to the square tubing on the lift (though the same hole that holds the chain) and to the 4x4. Get the balance point first before you attach it to the 4x4. This will prevent the 4x4 from slipping off the top of the engine lift tubing. When you move the lift the cab can swing quite a bit in every direction so it is nice to know the that it is anchored to the top of the lift. I had one slip off once and hit the concrete...no damage but scared the heck out of the wife, who was in the house and heard it. These cabs are pretty durable! I have used this method with windows still in the cab and with the doors on. The 4x4 has to be cut exact to sit on the rubber gaskets and just touch the glass. The balance point of the cab is toward the windshield just over the dash. Move slowly and it is good to have an extra set of hands to keep the swaying to a minimum. __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary) Last edited by stllookn; 08-05-2005 at 02:25 AM.

08-05-2005, 12:58 PM	#23
jec Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Middletown, Ohio Posts: 131	I used a couple of small chain hoists (1/4 ton) hanging from the rafters of my garage. Two (2) 2 x 6's were placed under the rafters for support at the front of cab. The cab was definitely front heavy and I wanted to rotate backwards to place on a small trailer. See pictures. During rotation, almost all of the weight was held by the chains in the front. The cab mount points were used on the front and a nylon strap used on the back. As I rotated backwards the strap was gradually slid toward the front of cab. Notice this was done with the windshield still intact, however, back glass was removed to lay done on trailer. Attached Images

08-05-2005, 01:24 PM	#24
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	the problem with using an engine hoist is setting it down. unless you have a dolley on wheels that goes above the jack's legs, you're going to end up using a buddy or two getting it off the jack.

08-05-2005, 02:33 PM	#25
Don Brace Active Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Clarks Grove MN Posts: 487	This is how my two grandsons and I did it. No problems. We lifted another cab using bolts ran through the cab mounting holes. The bolts were attached to chains that were then attached to the cherry picker. The cherry pickers arm was inside of the cab. This is actually the best way to do it. The cab is much more stable. __________________ Don Brace 55 Nomad 56 Nomad 58 Impalla Coupe 58 Bel-Aire 4D HT 61 Impala CVRT 409 4 SP 2- 71 Longhorns Always looking for old toy trains, Juke boxes Pin ball and game machines.

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