How should an engine be lifted out of the bed of a pickup?

robroy · Post by **robroy** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 12:55 am

Good evening,

This week a forklift at UPS placed my nice new 390 crate engine in the back of my pickup (with no camper shell).

My plan is to drive the pickup to my project site, remove it from the bed, and store it for a few more weeks while I finish preparing my project truck for its new engine.

What kind of device should I use to lift the engine out of the bed of my pickup? This isn't obvious to me because it's clearly way too high in the air for a cherry picker to reach.

To complicate matters, I'm doing this on the gravel (no pavement). At least it's fairly secure, solid gravel.

I think I remember seeing cherry picker devices that are designed to mount to the bed of a pickup truck for this exact purpose, but I'm not sure what other options are available.

Thanks very much for the great advice folks!
-Robroy

robroy · Post by **robroy** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 12:39 am

Here's a photo of how it looks now. Any ideas on lifting this out on a hard packed gravel surface?

Thanks!
-Robroy

td · Post by td » Fri Oct 17, 2008 7:02 am

Robroy,

you say your unloading it were your putting it in, so can you not back it in to tha shop and use a come-a-long hooked to somthing overhead and lift it out that way? and if not how about hooking it to a limb or somthing out side?

1971ford · Post by **1971ford** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 9:18 am

small chance, but is there something like a porch or dock that you could pack the truck to in able to use a cherry picker?

James72 · Post by **James72** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 7:35 pm

You need one of these, I removed my cab and box with it, and this puppy will lift a D10 transmission too if need to

fordman · Post by **fordman** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 8:10 pm

well you could have tied it to a post and drove off. or you could have backed up real fast and then slammed on the brakes. you know i'm only kidding. how did you finally get it out?

stangconv · Post by **stangconv** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 1:34 am

I realyl dont know your situation, (where you live etc...) But couldnt you rent/borrow a picker truck? (THe one with the crane?)

I guess they may not be common where you are, but they are pretty plentiful around here, it might cost me some beers to have one out for the weekend.

Maybe you could pay one to come out though... Probally less then $100...

robroy · Post by **robroy** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 2:05 am

Hey StangConv,

I'll keep this option in mind in case it becomes necessary, but I think I can probably make a combination of these things work:

1. Remove most of the air from the rear tires.
2. Dig a ditch to drive the rear wheels down in to.
3. Acquire a hoist that can reach high enough.

Regarding a crane for beers, some guys seem to have lots of buddies in their area who do mechanical stuff, but somehow I don't. I'm not sure why that is. I suppose I've only ever worked on cars either with my father Hugh or by myself; it's never something I've done with buddies before. Maybe I'm too much of an introvert for that.

Thanks StangConv!
-Robroy

stangconv · Post by **stangconv** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 2:10 am

Hey, its not really a car thing around here... I live in the Heart of the Canadian Oilpatch... We need to lift/move big things all the time...

Digging a ditch just seems like a lot of work to me..

jwh f-100 · Post by **jwh f-100** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 3:00 pm

I would remove the tailgate from the truck so you can roll the engine hoist in from the rear. Cut the cardboard box off the engine then maybe you can reach. If that doesnt work maybe you can put blocks under the hoist then back the truck up to it but not much to gain there as you will be hitting the axle. Also can you block up the bottle jack on the Hoist????

Just bring it to me I have a few machines that would set it in my garage.

Be carefull.....

FLATBEDFORD · Post by **FLATBEDFORD** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 5:34 pm

What kind of truck is that engine in?

Maybe you could drag the whole deal down a ramp made of lumber? Instead of digging a hole for the rear, get the front up high on some ramps.

flyboy2610 · Post by **flyboy2610** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 7:51 pm

Hey, Robroy, don't feel bad.
I have a 390 in the bed of my bump trailer that's been in since July '07! I don't know when I'll get around to it.............

robroy · Post by **robroy** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 2:22 am

With help from my friend Mani the engine is finally unloaded at my project site! I made a Project Updates post about it here:

http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=37313

I wound up buying a engine crane from NAPA that could lift really high for $424. I didn't even need to remove the tailgate or anything.

Thanks for all the advice!
-Robroy

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How should an engine be lifted out of the bed of a pickup?

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