Removing a cab and bed from a chassis is not doable with an engine hoist. Just not enough vertical lift. I had one of these gantry cranes. It made getting the cab and bed off the first Dakota a breeze, and being on wheels I could roll it up against a wall for easy storage. I just did a little more figuring, and being it's crated, I think I could get it into the bed of my truck. It may hang off the tailgate a bit, but that's what red flags are for! The only one in stock where I live right now is an hour east of us in Fallon. Sounds like a road trip this afternoon!! The steel I-beam on the gantry crane that was in the fire turned into a pretzel. It was a bit mind boggling!

 

Next week's priority will be getting the trailer emptied so I can use it and the winch to relocate the Dakota into the shop. Of course the gantry crane will need to be assembled first. But getting the Dak in the shop will be another small milestone, heralding the restart of this truck project.

 

The fire was HOT...... And yeah, that one is just so much scrap metal now. I would never trust it..... Even it if were in a usable shape.

We did a few full resto's, but, for the most part, the bodies we had to move were small/light enough, that four guys could pick 'em up.

 

I am in my 60's. I try not to pick anything up if I don't have to, or can do it with less effort and the right tools! The new gantry crane came home today. Next up on the equipment list will be an air compressor.

 

Yeah, I was a LOT younger then..... (likely more than 40 years ago.....) I CAN'T do heavy lifting any more. Health issues prevent me from doing a LOT of stuff I used to take for granted.

 

[QUOTE=TheSneeze;3602887]Removing a cab and bed from a chassis is not doable with an engine hoist. Just not enough vertical lift.

I removed and installed the bed by myself with mine.........

 

Okay, but it won't reach high enough for the cab
.

 

I have officially run out of signs (for now). I also finished mounting all of my surround sound speakers.

 

Is that your gantry there in the crate? And Oooo, a comfy chair.

 

It most certainly is. Started the assembly, but now I am at a point where I need some extra people for the lifting.