1 ton versus 2 ton engine hoist?

[CamTheHedgehog]

Hey all! I am about to begin pulling my 4.0L on my 2003 Ranger for the timing, and am going to pick up an engine host and stand since they are on sale today at HF.

Does the one ton have enough reach, or do I need to spend the extra $100 for the 2 ton?
Thanks!

 

[fastpakr]

I used the 1 ton to pull the V6 out of my '99 with the transmission attached. There's not a lot of extra height, but it will get the job done. Also did the same job in reverse with the 5.0/4R70W combo.

 

[Manscout]

I just did mine with the 1 ton and it is super close. I had to remove the radiator and the harmonic balancer to clear the firewall support. I could not have done it without a 2nd person.

 

[superj]

i think my hf cherry picker is a 1 ton and i have pulled many inline 6 jeep and bmw motors with it. clearance is very tight and you have to put some board to keep stuff from scraping but it the 1 ton will do it.

we have an 89 bmw 325i engine and auto transmission on the hoist right now, half in and half out of hte car because it won;t lift it high enough for one person to do the removal alone. my son is waiting till get home so i can help lift the back end of the transmission up and over the radiator support

 

[fastpakr]

I just did mine with the 1 ton and it is super close. I had to remove the radiator and the harmonic balancer to clear the firewall support. I could not have done it without a 2nd person.

Good point - I don't remember one way or the other about the harmonic balancer (though I suspect I left it attached). But the radiator and condenser were definitely out of the way, and I had a 2nd person both times.

 

[CamTheHedgehog]

I used the 1 ton to pull the V6 out of my '99 with the transmission attached. There's not a lot of extra height, but it will get the job done. Also did the same job in reverse with the 5.0/4R70W combo.

For me, that means there won't be enough height.... I have my torsion bars cranked all the way up

 

[fastpakr]

For me, that means there won't be enough height.... I have my torsion bars cranked all the way up

Mine are cranked a bit as well. You could even pull the wheels and set the jackstands lower than normal ride height.

 

[CamTheHedgehog]

I just did mine with the 1 ton and it is super close. I had to remove the radiator and the harmonic balancer to clear the firewall support. I could not have done it without a 2nd person.

Yeah.... I don't have a second person readily available other than my mother(dad is always working)... and I suspect she doesn't have much interest in pulling an engine with me.

 

[CamTheHedgehog]

Hmmm....
Decisions, decisions

 

[CamTheHedgehog]

I might just buy the 2 ton.... given that this is my first time pulling an engine, it seems like it will save me a headache. Plus the price difference is very small right now, as the 2 ton is on sale at my local HF for early Black Friday (gotta love ITC!) for only $330, versus the 1 ton being $270.

 

[fastpakr]

Have you considered renting one? If you're not anticipating doing this regularly, you'll save a lot that way and not have to store the thing afterwards.

 

[CamTheHedgehog]

Have you considered renting one? If you're not anticipating doing this regularly, you'll save a lot that way and not have to store the thing afterwards.

I have... But later on down the road I plan to pull my engine and rebuild it(once I have another car), so for me it's worth the investment. Plus I have a friend who's willing to buy it off me used after if I want, so it would come out to the same as renting for the weekend. Rentals are like $40 a day where I am.

 

[Shran]

If you have a local pawn shop you might be able to pick one up at significant savings. I see the HF cherry pickers all the time for $100-$150. I bought a nice AC Delco 2 ton one though and I think I only paid maybe a hundred bucks. I'd really try to track down a used one, maybe Craigslist or facebook marketplace? I remember when you could get a brand new one from HF for under $200 and it was not that long ago.

I had a 1 ton HF cherry picker for a brief period of time and used it on stock height Rangers with no issues. Clearance was tight. If the arm was longer or it went a little higher, it would have been easier. I believe the 2 ton has a longer arm.

 

[fastpakr]

If you have a local pawn shop you might be able to pick one up at significant savings. I see the HF cherry pickers all the time for $100-$150. I bought a nice AC Delco 2 ton one though and I think I only paid maybe a hundred bucks. I'd really try to track down a used one, maybe Craigslist or facebook marketplace? I remember when you could get a brand new one from HF for under $200 and it was not that long ago.

I had a 1 ton HF cherry picker for a brief period of time and used it on stock height Rangers with no issues. Clearance was tight. If the arm was longer or it went a little higher, it would have been easier. I believe the 2 ton has a longer arm.

I was a little shocked at the prices above. Would have sworn I got mine on sale for about $80 at HF about ten years back.

 

[Curious Hound]

I only have the 3.0l. But I bought the 2 ton engine lift because I can use it for other things. I feel better with the extra capacity. Not sure if it has longer reach. But I can use it to lift the bed off the truck. So, you might want to consider other things you can do with it in the future. Removing/installing bumpers, removing/installing winch, picking up lawn mower….