Just looking for tips on bed removal. FWIW I have to do it by myself. I do not have a vehicle lift. I do have an engine lift.

 

Find a friend to help you lift it, unless your arms are over 6' long. Each. *grins*

Nine bolts underneath (eight to frame, one to ground strap); unplug the tail lights at the back; remove the crank shaft to the spare tire (usually a hitch pin); four bolts around the filler neck; and lift with your legs, not your back.

Needless to say, take everything OUT of the bed; don't try this with those four, 455HO motors you've been carrying around for your friend with the Thunder Chicken *grins*

Oh, the tailgate will remove to lighten it a bit more.

Two normal humans can lift it and move it; more are better, but two can do it. Well, an overweight computer geek (ME!) and his step son or nephew can, anyway. And that was a long (8 foot) bed.

RwP

 

I used an eye bolt into the garage and come along with two straps from corner to corner. I have the short bed and it is back end heavy that way. But I got it up and drove out from under it.

 

I used an engine hoist on mine....strapped it to the rear...lifted the front and pusherd the hoist back on its rollers. Had to rock it every few inches but was able to get it to end of frame. Then sat that end on a hydraulic cart. Granted I was repainting this bed and frame so I wasn't to particular about scratching it up.

 

I was thinking about using my engine lift, crisscrossing straps on the bed, and then picking up in the middle. If 2 people can pick it up..... that would probably be the best way.
FWIW I need to pull the transmission. I have a NV3500 I plan to replace it with, and I want to pull the rear and replace it as well. It would be easier to do with the bed off, and I could clean and paint the frame while I was at it.
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions!!

 

Hopefully I will also be lifting the bed off my '94 Dakota sometime this summer in order to do a fuel level sending unit replacement. I know this may sound like overkill, but there are more problems under there than just the sender & I figure the BEST way to get to lots of things is to get that bed out of the way. I paid a local shop big bucks to replace the sender on my '93 & after FOUR trips to that same shop it's still not working (see another thread). I'm a "farm boy" so I figure the best way for me to do this job is to get the Deere & put a boom on it & go to town. Each to his own. I strictly HATE the thought of pulling that fuel tank, so I hope to do the job this way. Plus the tractor will allow me to that bed almost anywhere I please after it's off....

 

Here's another suggestion:

Put on at least four if not six of these: https://www.realtruck.com/highland-s...ket-tie-downs/ (NOTE! Just an example of the genre!) in the stake pockets; use those as the pull points.

RwP

 

my kids helped me lift mine off my 95 dakota. i left the bumper on and set the bed on the rear tire and the bumper to axcess the fuel pump.

 

It was my stepson (first) and my nephew (second time), but yah, that's what we did also.

RwP

 

just sucked i need to take mine off replace the pump then take it off a day later because the gauge was not working.... the pump turned when i tightened the collar and i didnt notice...