Best way to lift Ranger cab off....cab swap?

[Natedog]

What's the best way to lift a Ranger cab off? I'm doing a complete body swap on my 87 Xtracab and am about to the point where I need to swap the cabs. My 4x2 is not moveable due to no wheels/tires or rear axle/springs. My 4x4 that I'm swapping my good body on to is driveable at the moment...but soon won't be because the wiring harness is almost all the way out.

I removed my crappy bed from the 4x4 with me and my neighbor lifting it...not too bad but we slipped and scratched the paint good. Those bottom edges are sharp even with gloves. So me and three other guys lifted my good bed of the 4x2 as I didn't want it getting scratched up or dented.

My engine and tranny are still in both trucks, going to pull the radiators and that's about it.

Sooo....what's the best way to swap the cabs off? Who's done it and how'd it go?

 

[Jeepman401]

I use a chainfall to lift it, then roll the chassis out from under it

 

[milje]

We lifted the body off of Todd's B2 by hand. Had a few guys come over (I think 6 or 7, it's a big body), lifted it off, and carried it over to the other side of the garage.

Would have been a lot easier if the engine was out, we had to lift the front end up pretty high to clear it. But still got it done.

 

[Blackdog]

I used a fork lift with extentions.

 

[Natedog]

I have a 5ton manual chain hoist, lots of metal and a welder...but that's alot of work for one time use. Considering lifting off by group of guys. I can drive forklift excellent, just wish I had one to use at home.

 

[kunar]

my dad and i used an engine crane with an additional boom made from 2x6's and a bunch of counterweight on the back. we rolled the chassis out from under it once it was high enough

 

[Will]

I use a chainfall to lift it, then roll the chassis out from under it

+1

 

[BobR]

IMHO
lots of guys(6 to 10) is easiest and fastest. with hooks and chains you are more likely to drop it but less likely to hurt someoneas everyone should be standing clear when something breaks.


Bob

 

[Will]

Likey to drop it by lifting it with equipment as opposed to 6 guys? I don't think so. One guy stumbles and everyone is likely to follow him down. I use a strap through the cab and the loops into the hook. No chance of failure. Much safer.

 

[Ozwynn]

use long 2x4s run under the cab side to side and use about 6 big guys (only took 8 of us to pick up an entire 89 nissan hard body out if the ditch and put it back on the road) for more stability bolt the 2x4s to the body mounts. did this for a cab from a 67 F-100 so we could put the cab and front clip on an 89 F-250.

 

[Loanranger]

Wrap a strap around the roof, hook the other end to a truck, and hit the skinny pedal! Ok but seriously, there's plenty of ways to do this, a sturdy swingset with a chain hoist, a log truck self loader, all your buddies and a case of beer, a 2 post lift, a fork lift, an engine hoist strapped to the back of a bedless pickup with a longer tube, all of which will work, just take your time and you'll get it done.

 

[Roger]

I intend to use my engine hoist. Pull the doors and run the boom insde the cab. A couple straps and alls good.

 

[bobbywalter]

i usually have to do this alone at home. when i dont use an a-frame/forklift/ect i use my engine hoist.


i put bolts through the cab mount points to 4 short chains into one big ring at the hoist boom inside the cab....i have to pull the front seats to do it but its worth it on an ext cab. if you dont have a good floor it is a bitch to slide er out but just take your time and use leverage.

 

[Roger]

pulling this from the past, I suggest more than 3 people if you aren't using a lift of some sort... Somehow, I got stuck lifting the rear of the cab by myself. Those things are HEAVY! Now I will look into using bolts in the cab mount holes! Especially since it looks like further moves will be by myself.