The Ford Barn

decling · 12-31-2021, 03:47 PM

What is the best way to lift the cab off the frame? Doors on or off? How many neighbors do I need to buy beer for?

TIA

Karl Wescott · 12-31-2021, 04:22 PM

If you can, pop the door hinge pins or unbolt the doors, it will make life easier.

Take the steering wheel off, or better yet remove the steering gear from the chassis, Its an awkward three foot lift to get above the column and a bit of a "thread the needle" if the steering wheel is there. Consider removing the shifter handle also.

If the lifting is with a hoist/forklift etc use straps, not chains... and NOT THROUGH THE DOOR WINDOW OPENINGS. If lifting with people power acquire two 8 foot long 4x4's. Lift the cab enough to be able to lash one to the front of the cab and the other to the rear of the cab crosswise. These make nice handles to lift with that is outside of the tires. Four reasonably strong people should be able to do it, though you might want to have some peanuts and popcorn available to sell to spectators.

oldandtired · 01-01-2022, 10:25 AM

decling...When I removed mine, I had already taken the bed off, which made the job a whole lot easier. To minimize the vertical height I had to lift the cab to clear I removed the steering column and shifter as recommended by Karl. We lifted the cab straight up, placed the lift boards on sawhorses which put the cab around 30 inches or so off the ground, and rolled the chassis out from under the cab. Don't ask me how I know but be sure you have disconnected everything before trying to move the cab vertically or move the chassis out from under it. There is wiring, throttle linkage, emergency brake, fuel line, speedometer cable, and other things I am likely forgetting. I did not take off the doors. Before I took off the cab, the toeboard had been removed to take out the steering column, the steering column was out, the floorboard was out, I removed the rear glass, I removed the windshield, and I removed the seat. I also made a dolly to put the cab on so I could move it around.

V8COOPMAN · 01-01-2022, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by decling

What is the best way to lift the cab off the frame? Doors on or off? How many neighbors do I need to buy beer for?

TIA

Couple of 2 X 4s cobbled together....don't get any easier! DD

decling · 01-01-2022, 06:18 PM

Wow! That looks great. That does look easy. Thanks!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

Couple of 2 X 4s cobbled together....don't get any easier! DD

GaryU. · 01-02-2022, 08:53 AM

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Another approach on my driveway. When I did this on my '39 pickup all the parts were off, bed, fenders,running boards, hood,engine and transmission etc. Doors and all interior cab parts were off as well. By myself I rolled the cab backwards onto scrap carpet on the frame being inside the cab to do the roll. Steering wheel and column etc. still in place, couldn't believe it worked! Next, had some saw horses on either side and with long planks and my neighbor lifted the cab up enough to clear the frame which I rolled into the garage. While the cab was still on it's back I installed 4x4 and 2x4 cut to fit with casters where the cab mount holes are and with my neighbor picked the cab up and rolled it into the garage, it was amazing how light the cab is without parts on. Was very careful with all movements and after years of work "Ol Bessie" is back on the road.

V8COOPMAN · 01-08-2022, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by decling

What is the best way to lift the cab off the frame? Doors on or off? How many neighbors do I need to buy beer for?

TIA

decling ......This is one more picture that I could not find when I originally posted the others. These engine hoists/cherry pickers have made hobbyists lives much easier to manage, WITHOUT having to beg the neighbors for favors. DD

decling · 02-02-2022, 02:27 PM

Thanks for the idea on how to lift the cab. It worked perfectly.

Dennis

V8COOPMAN · 02-02-2022, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by decling

Thanks for the idea on how to lift the cab. It worked perfectly.

Dennis

Hey Dennis .....Glad that worked-out for you. And thanks a million for the update! DD

Newc · 02-02-2022, 07:38 PM

Great; My cab is coming back from the painters soon! Newc

12-31-2021, 03:47 PM	#1
decling Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Arizona Posts: 103	38-39 1/2 ton pickup cab lifting What is the best way to lift the cab off the frame? Doors on or off? How many neighbors do I need to buy beer for? TIA

12-31-2021, 04:22 PM	#2
Karl Wescott Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,289	Re: 38-39 1/2 ton pickup cab lifting If you can, pop the door hinge pins or unbolt the doors, it will make life easier. Take the steering wheel off, or better yet remove the steering gear from the chassis, Its an awkward three foot lift to get above the column and a bit of a "thread the needle" if the steering wheel is there. Consider removing the shifter handle also. If the lifting is with a hoist/forklift etc use straps, not chains... and NOT THROUGH THE DOOR WINDOW OPENINGS. If lifting with people power acquire two 8 foot long 4x4's. Lift the cab enough to be able to lash one to the front of the cab and the other to the rear of the cab crosswise. These make nice handles to lift with that is outside of the tires. Four reasonably strong people should be able to do it, though you might want to have some peanuts and popcorn available to sell to spectators.

01-01-2022, 10:25 AM	#3
oldandtired Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Edgefield, SC Posts: 811	Re: 38-39 1/2 ton pickup cab lifting decling...When I removed mine, I had already taken the bed off, which made the job a whole lot easier. To minimize the vertical height I had to lift the cab to clear I removed the steering column and shifter as recommended by Karl. We lifted the cab straight up, placed the lift boards on sawhorses which put the cab around 30 inches or so off the ground, and rolled the chassis out from under the cab. Don't ask me how I know but be sure you have disconnected everything before trying to move the cab vertically or move the chassis out from under it. There is wiring, throttle linkage, emergency brake, fuel line, speedometer cable, and other things I am likely forgetting. I did not take off the doors. Before I took off the cab, the toeboard had been removed to take out the steering column, the steering column was out, the floorboard was out, I removed the rear glass, I removed the windshield, and I removed the seat. I also made a dolly to put the cab on so I could move it around.

01-02-2022, 08:53 AM	#6
GaryU. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Beaver Dam, Wisconsin Posts: 821	Re: 38-39 1/2 ton pickup cab lifting Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Another approach on my driveway. When I did this on my '39 pickup all the parts were off, bed, fenders,running boards, hood,engine and transmission etc. Doors and all interior cab parts were off as well. By myself I rolled the cab backwards onto scrap carpet on the frame being inside the cab to do the roll. Steering wheel and column etc. still in place, couldn't believe it worked! Next, had some saw horses on either side and with long planks and my neighbor lifted the cab up enough to clear the frame which I rolled into the garage. While the cab was still on it's back I installed 4x4 and 2x4 cut to fit with casters where the cab mount holes are and with my neighbor picked the cab up and rolled it into the garage, it was amazing how light the cab is without parts on. Was very careful with all movements and after years of work "Ol Bessie" is back on the road.

02-02-2022, 07:38 PM	#10
Newc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,488	Re: 38-39 1/2 ton pickup cab lifting Great; My cab is coming back from the painters soon! Newc