Well I spent the last 3 evenings swaping out my h20 pump and flushing the cooling system for ELC adding a cooling system filter and the heater core valve.In summary I hate working on the truck everything is just out of reach when I stend ont he ground. Does anyone make a good system to get you butt up high enough to work on the truck without having to kneel in the engine bay. I'm not a short person at 6' but I can't reach any of the hardparts under the hood without standing on the tires, bumper or kneeling on a batt. I could build something but my current storage situation is very limited. Any sugestons are appreciated. I need to do CAC boots and a turbo soon so I'd like not to repeat the abuse on my knees THX.
Working under the hood
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Yeah...I feel your pain. Try it with a 5" lift and 315 x 75's.
My solution is three pallets underneath the front bumper, these will assist with the butt-puckering "blind" dismount. For the turbo remove/install, (completed two so far), I have a 3.5' x 2' piece of plywood wrapped in an old throw away bed spread for padding and it is sitting on top of a craftsman leather mechanics blanket to avoid breaking any wires, etc. It is laid to the left of the engine facing the turbo. A little ingenuity is used to get it in there just right for the best support. This way I can literally lay on my belly and work on the turbo with TWO hands instead of holding the turbo with one hand, using the other to hold me up as it is placed on the left valve cover while my head supports me the other direction by remaining smashed up against the rear of the hood...all very painful.
If you have the bucks then you can buy one of those creepers that is built like an engine hoist; you just wheel it up over your engine, climb up and lay down suspended over your work...wouldn't that be the life...I would fall asleep. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sleepy.gif
My solution is three pallets underneath the front bumper, these will assist with the butt-puckering "blind" dismount. For the turbo remove/install, (completed two so far), I have a 3.5' x 2' piece of plywood wrapped in an old throw away bed spread for padding and it is sitting on top of a craftsman leather mechanics blanket to avoid breaking any wires, etc. It is laid to the left of the engine facing the turbo. A little ingenuity is used to get it in there just right for the best support. This way I can literally lay on my belly and work on the turbo with TWO hands instead of holding the turbo with one hand, using the other to hold me up as it is placed on the left valve cover while my head supports me the other direction by remaining smashed up against the rear of the hood...all very painful.
If you have the bucks then you can buy one of those creepers that is built like an engine hoist; you just wheel it up over your engine, climb up and lay down suspended over your work...wouldn't that be the life...I would fall asleep. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sleepy.gif
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I got a step that hooks over the tires - folds up nice and flat when not in use. It's got a VERY rough perforated surface that grabs your shoes/boots to prevent slipping and puts your feet about midway on the tires. It fits my 19.5" tires quite well. I got it at our local Kragen store, but I've seen it a WalMart, Pep Boys, and other places.
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251 Posts
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251 Posts
Jim,
The link seems to work for me - takes me to a page that displays a "Powerbuilt Tools Truck Step" part #647596 with a sale price of $16.99.
The link seems to work for me - takes me to a page that displays a "Powerbuilt Tools Truck Step" part #647596 with a sale price of $16.99.
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10,487 Posts
The TOPSIDE seems to work quite well. I saw one in use at Diesel Innovations. Had a pretty hefty guy climbed up onto it, looked rock solid. (By hefty, he was bigger than I, I am 184 lbs. He looked to be 225 or so I would guess.)
So I would not be affraid to climb onto one.
Maybe you are "Logged into" the sight? Those of us that are not end up on a generic page?
Ok, on edit I put my zip code in, then it took me to the tire step! Sorry!!! LOL I DIDNT want to give it personal information like that! ROTFLMAO
So I would not be affraid to climb onto one.
Maybe you are "Logged into" the sight? Those of us that are not end up on a generic page?
Ok, on edit I put my zip code in, then it took me to the tire step! Sorry!!! LOL I DIDNT want to give it personal information like that! ROTFLMAO
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111 Posts
The wheel step is handy but I've seen what they will do to a fender if you forget to take it off!!! Not me another guy did it!!
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824 Posts
I use milk crates. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif
The topside is very stable. I weigh 230lbs and I feel very secure on the one at work. I will eventually build one for my personal shop with an old creeper that I have, and hopefully get by a little cheaper than buying one.
Matt, the dimensions are around 2'x4' floor space. If you like to make your own tools & equipment, you could probably also make one that is a folding version to save on floor space.
Matt, the dimensions are around 2'x4' floor space. If you like to make your own tools & equipment, you could probably also make one that is a folding version to save on floor space.
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883 Posts
I use the forklift at the shop and a 4x8 pallet with a sheet of laminate on it. I can get to anything with this setup but it is really easy to fall asleep. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
With 10.5" of lift and a push bar on the front the topside creeper just wont work any more.
With 10.5" of lift and a push bar on the front the topside creeper just wont work any more.
Thanks for the help. I like the suspended creeper I'm going to spring for that and 2 or the wheel steps. On a side note I de-cruded the engine bay tonight in prep for the oil leak chase down. I see a new turbo in my future now to demistify the since. I also noticed a fule smell under the hood. Another day another project on my truck.
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