Good or Bad Idea Hoist

[priobe]

Hello,

I would like to know if anyone has ever thought about using the trust beams to the roof of the gargae to make a Hoist. I was thinking of making a plate to straddle 2-3 trust beams and order a hoist from Harbor Frieght to use it to lift the cobra body or even an engine.

Any ideas?

[Jerry Clayton]

I used to put a prop pole on each side of the fender while i pulled a motor

When I did my garage i doubled up 6 joists where i worked and put a track beam above them to spread the load for a engine

I used a heavy duty track fastened to the bottom of some joists over my chassis jig and 2 rollers and hoists to move whole chassis/bodies on or off the jig( Richards-Wilcox #175 track Aurora, IL )

I still use the same stuff in various places in our shop in Elburn,Il

Jerry

[priobe]

Hi Jerry,

Sorry for not fully understanding, would you happen to have a drawing or picture of the setup

[MaSnaka]

Priobe,
I can tell you a trust is an engineered support designed to be strong using the least amount of lumber. Economics and practical application apply here. Designed to support your roof and possibly your ceiling...NOT YOUR ENGINE OR BODY!! You need to modify or re-design (engineer) your suports to fit you specific needs. As Jerry stated he has joists doubled up to increase the support strength. Be careful or better yet consult a contractor in your area for some advice, someone who can look at your structure. I'm sure it can be done just make sure it's done right. Good luck!!

[1bad66]

How old is the house? Is there a floor above your garage? If they are standard roof "TRUSSES" (not trust), they will support your body just fine. I hung mine up and flipped it over to under coat it. I have stuck a 4X4 across 3 trusses and used it to yank out the V-6 in a mini van. Not sure anbout a V-8, I think I would rent a cherry picker for that.

[priobe]

1 bad66,

The house is 1 year old and is single floor house. The more I think about it the I am thinking maybe I should get some more people together to lift the body.

I would hate to have to replace some structures in my roof because of a body lift or engine lift.

I think I might just build a hosit all together.

Any thoughts on this?

[HI Cobra]

If you have a Costco or Sam's club nearby you might want to check on their
engine hoists - seems to me they weren't much over $100 and less than $200. I think they have wheels and an extendable boom with a hydraulic
piston to do the lifting. For some the problem is: where are you going to store it?, although they aren't that big.

[1bad66]

It looks like you live where there is no show, the trusses in Colorado (where I live) are all designed for "snow load". I know that a heavy snow weighs a lot more than the body of our cars. You should be fine to lift your body. Not sure about the engine.......

[priobe]

Hey Flip,
I searched on line and I guess they dont sell engine hoist in my area. I will check in the local store.

[1bad66]

I have rented a engine hoist before at the local rental place $25 for the whole day. Lot easier than buying one.

[Dangerous Doug]

Lifting an engine over the body of an expensive car by utilizing a ceiling beam that is designed for a lesser load is not a good idea. Head down to your local heavy equipment rental shop and pick up a cherry-picker they will more than likely have in stock.

[COBRAGAR]

priobe, if your going to mount the body on car i can help i did mine,it only weights about 200 lbs . and if you need to cherry picker try u-haul. let me know. garcia

[priobe]

Garcia,

Thanks for the offer. I will need to take you up on that offer. I will make sure to coordinate well in advance because of our schedules.

Also you I will send you a PM now

[BigGuy]

I have seen pics of a guy between his engine and car ......OOOCh! He just thru a chain over a few trusses and it held for a few mins.

Rent a hoist (tow behind or break- down). I rented a breakdown this morning and had the 427 out of the vette in no time. $27 for 2 hrs..........and nobody hurt and no hoist to deal with after job is done. Just my .02

[flwolfman]

Trusses are fine for the body. It does not weigh much. Do NOT use them for the engine! Rent an engine hoist (cherry picker). The ONLY way to remove/install an engine. Just my thoughts! Jim

[jarendall]

I used the rafters in my carport to lift the body of my car, screwed in 1/2" eyebolts and hung a chain fall on each and lifted away, bought an engine lift for the motor, Harbor Freight, $129, have seen the engine lifts at Advance Autoparts, don't remember how much they get for one

[Steve Riley]

I made a cradle out of chain, 4x4's and 2x4's in conjunction with an engine hoist that works great. I have moved mine on and off more times that I can remember. No problems at all.
Steve

[Trueoo7]

I have a 12" steel I beam in my garage which would more than hold an engine and I have many times thought about this exact use but a mechanic friend said that for lifting and or installing engines an engine hoist or cherry picker works much nicer because it affords you much more manuverability back and forth and side to side. Something to consider as well.

[WV66AC]

If you have room to store it, you can pick up a 2 ton hoist at an equipment liquidation for under $200. Handy to pick up the riding lawnmower for service. I also used mine (with a special harness and short extension) to lift off the hardtop on a Jeep Wrangler -- only a one person job.

[Jerry Clayton]

Reasons I don't like a cherry picker--

The lower legs won't go under the suspension of many cars

They aren't long enough to do some vehicles from the front

Like a bycycle--in the way when your not using them


The EM body is pretty heavy-have a try out with at lease 4 friends that you can trust to not drop it before you actually attempt it

Jerry