How to properly remove a cab without damage

[squaredeal91]

going to be pulling a cab off with front clip attached. What is the best way to secure it to pick it up? I plan to use a tractor and chain/straps to pick it up but don't want to bend anything.
I've moved around cabs for scrap before by going through open windows and picking it up that way but seems it would slightly bend or tweak the tops of the doors. Any ideas, suggestions Or maybe pictures from someone doing this before would be helpful. Thank you

 

[legopnuematic]

Is your two post lift setup yet? If the cab/clip is solid at the rockers that would be a good way to do it. If its all complete.

@Old Guy Bill used his 2 post with some chains to lift the cab on his 78, another slick way. Might balance funny with the front clip. And I think that method requires the doors off.

I’ll post some pictures of how I’ve picked cabs up when I get a moment.

 

[squaredeal91]

I almost tagged you because you have experience with moving cabs. I love your idea for using the lift and will probably do that with the bed because i have other plans for it. Passenger side door already off. My dilemma is that I want to move it somewhere else with my tractor and set it down. I could support middle front at core support and go to my bucket to keep it from nose diving. My biggest question is how to support the main part of the cab. Maybe run boards through the cab so the straps don't hurt the cab. I probably need to remove the remaining door also and seat. Seat isn't original but looks heavy.

 

[legopnuematic]

I’d remove the doors, I use a Doug fir 4x4 through the door openings and straps on that, seems to do well without damaging the cab.

I’ve found the balancing point of a bare cab is right where the roof meets the a pillars. So having the seat in would help counter balance things.

I think I might cut a couple grooves in the 4x4 to let it locate on the pinch welds where the Weather strip goes, and add some eye bolts to the ends to strap from to keep from touching the cab itself.

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Yeah moving it before setting it down does add an element to it.

 

[Old Guy Bill]

The cab is front heavy anyway, with the fenders on it it’s really gonna be tough. I’d disassemble the dog house if you can.
I used the rear seat belt holes in the floor and the upper fender holes in the cab at the windshield to lift mine with the two post lift arms. Had to take one set of arms off to get them inside the cab.

 

[Edelbrock]

I'm not sure about the proper way, but the quickest way is to use a real fast car.

 

[1STLS1]

This is how I did it last time, the gravel made it difficult but it works ok on a concrete garage floor. I made a support that mounts to the top off an engine hoist and grabs the roof pinch welds. We used Home Depot cull lumber, the ones with the purple paint on them that are damaged or twisted so it was a minimal investment. A little sketchy but got done. Made another that picks the bed off that grabs under the rails. Made it a one person job.
I think it would be much more difficult to do it with the fenders and such. 2 guys can walk it off once the core support is unbolted and the bolts out of the cab.

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[Ricko1966]

I stole these pics for a cab lift to go on a cherry picker. Notice it's adjustable for width ,the angle iron ends set in the door openings keeping it from sliding. If I was trying to use a bucket and tractor,I think I'd use angle in the door openings just like this but as long as would fit in the openings I would bolt them down to 2 4x4s run all the way through the cab at the a pillar and b pillar. Now the angle stops side to side movement the 4x4s stop front to rear movement screw 2x6s across the outer ends of the 4x4s to hold everything square. Attach chains with eye bolts to the 2x6s lift with chains and a bucket or even a tree limb and block and tackle.

 

[Bennyt]

This is how I did it last time, the gravel made it difficult but it works ok on a concrete garage floor. I made a support that mounts to the top off an engine hoist and grabs the roof pinch welds. We used Home Depot cull lumber, the ones with the purple paint on them that are damaged or twisted so it was a minimal investment. A little sketchy but got done. Made another that picks the bed off that grabs under the rails. Made it a one person job.
I think it would be much more difficult to do it with the fenders and such. 2 guys can walk it off once the core support is unbolted and the bolts out of the cab.

You must be registered for see images attach

I did the same as Michael here. I used 2 2x4's with notches to keep the cab from sliding off, spaced 4" apart. If using a HF cherry picker, needs to be the larger one as it has a longer reach.

 

[Scott91370]

I don't think I'd do it with the fenders attached. Just too front heavy that way and more to worry about.

 

[squaredeal91]

I’d remove the doors, I use a Doug fir 4x4 through the door openings and straps on that, seems to do well without damaging the cab.

I’ve found the balancing point of a bare cab is right where the roof meets the a pillars. So having the seat in would help counter balance things.

I think I might cut a couple grooves in the 4x4 to let it locate on the pinch welds where the Weather strip goes, and add some eye bolts to the ends to strap from to keep from touching the cab itself.

You must be registered for see images attach

Yeah moving it before setting it down does add an element to it.

I've got random 4x4 s and I'll notch it like so. Thank you

 

[EvilGenius]

Here is what I made several years ago when moving a cab. Worked pretty well and was cheap. The lift height on these is limited though, so if your truck is higher than like 4 inches above stock it may not work.

I didn't Notch it like some others have mentioned because it can be hard to predict where the center of gravity is. It's easier to give some extra wiggle room on the ends and shift it to find the sweet spot. Once you start lifting it up it doesn't really try to move on the wood. It bites into it and locks down for the most part.

 

[Ricko1966]

Guys he's trying to use a tractor and bucket to lift the cab. He'd like ideas on how to make that most effective and feasible. Ideas? Anyone? Anyone?

 

[squaredeal91]

Made a jig from a 1x and made the 4x4. Strapped it to the roof first. Used a come along for the center front. Worked good. Had to move slow.

 

[squaredeal91]

Done!