Thinking off the box

[Denisefwd93]

Now that I have the Beast of a 94 XLT short bed basically roadworthy for everyday driving I need to create a situation where I can lift the bed off the back high enough that can roll the truck under it when we're not working on it. (Not to drive it)

The gist of this problem: my house backyard is directly behind a Borough building where the building inspector can look down into my yard.

My friend Hank is going to come down from the Poconos and help with the welding when I get ready. ( it may not happen till spring)

But I'm wondering would one maybe two of those farm jacks, & 2, 7ft longish (bed width) sawhorses work for this "plan"?

Oh one other question, are the bed bolts hardened, or can the heads be drilled off if necessary?

 

[adsm08]

The last time I had to take a bed up by myself I strung two ratchet straps across the anchor holes in an X and used an engine hoist. It worked very well.

Then I put it on some terrible saw horses which somehow held it for months while I worked on it.

As for the building inspector, tell him to quit looking in your yard unless he has official building inspection business.

 

[Denisefwd93]

Much as I would like to it's one thing that's not a good idea to do & hoists are sure to get too much attention.

 

[fangotango306]

You can drill bed bolts. They are fairly hard but if you use some oil/fluid snd go slow itll work. Start with a small bit snd work your way up

 

[adsm08]

You can drill bed bolts. They are fairly hard but if you use some oil/fluid snd go slow itll work. Start with a small bit snd work your way up

I usually start the smallest bit that doesn't drop into the torx boss and just go until the head pops off.

 

[pjtoledo]

if you're going to destroy the bolts anyway, give'em a twist and see if they break

 

[Denisefwd93]

if you're going to destroy the bolts anyway, give'em a twist and see if they break

Oh one other question, are the bed bolts hardened, or can the heads be drilled off if necessary?



of course we will try turning them out first.. why I asked if necessary.. although grinding seems like a better alternative then drilling.

How high should we lift it? bottom of the bed ABOVE the tires? (seems spockable)

 

[adsm08]

Oh one other question, are the bed bolts hardened, or can the heads be drilled off if necessary?



of course we will try turning them out first.. why I asked if necessary.. although grinding seems like a better alternative then drilling.

How high should we lift it? bottom of the bed ABOVE the tires? (seems spockable)

Drill them.

That is a large head and it takes a while to grind it off. If you run at it with a 1/2" drill bit you can have all 6 drilled in the time it would take to cut down 1.