[FootSoldier]

I am starting my project by lifting the body and doing a complete chassis rebuild and upgrade. Pulling the motor and transmission will be on deck very soon. So, I need to buy a lift and I need some advice on where to look for a descent quality engine hoist. Just looking for a cherry picker style for DIY work, no commercial use. But it has to be fully BBC capable Any advice or suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[mr 4 speed]

This will work just fine:

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

 

[Muscle65]

Yes, I agree with 4speed, I have that hoist. It easily holds my big block AND Muncie in one pick.

 

[BTK]

mine was mae out of really good parts stolen from g.m. in oshawa....wish the guy made it foldable

 

[mikev65]

the 2 ton harbor freight one is more than enough. worked great on an iron headed 454 with a turbo 400 attached

 

[Muscle65]

mine was mae out of really good parts stolen from g.m. in oshawa....wish the guy made it foldable

Brings to mind the Johnny Cash song “one piece at a time”. 🤭😉

 

[FootSoldier]

Perfect. I'm in and it's the easy button. The BBC and M-21 out in one lift, just what I was hoping for!

Thanks all!

 

[Dads 72 Malibu]

My advice, unless you are certain you want to buy, is to borrow one.
When you are done with it you can give it back, unless you have an abundance of space. (They don't take up too much, but they DO take space)

 

[kaljam]

Look on Craigslist or Facebook marketplace. Have seen many much cheaper than the HF above.

 

[FootSoldier]

My advice, unless you are certain you want to buy, is to borrow one.
When you are done with it you can give it back, unless you have an abundance of space. (They don't take up too much, but they DO take space)

Space is a primary concern right now for sure and I actually know where I could barrow one. It's a fair drive there and back, and I don't really like barrowing tools because I don't really like to loan them either. They never come home in as good of shape as I sent them. Contrarily, if I did barrow something, I felt obligated to return it in at least as good of condition as it was when I took it. Cost me a little $$ sometimes, but it's what I have to do. So, if the tool is not too expensive and I can justify it kind of, I buy it. It's just where my head is now. Thanks though. Another time and place and there wouldn't even be a discussion. LOL.

 

[DZAUTO]

I have a crude, but VERY solid and sturdy A-frame that I made from 2x6 and 2x10 lumber. It's all bolted together so that I can disassemble and stow it. The 4 legs are double 2x6, the braces are 2x6 and the cross beam is double 2x10. I installed HD swivel casters so that it is totally maneuverabil.
Then I bought an elec hoist from Harbor Freight rated at 1300lbs. Plenty of lift for engine/tranny combos.

I lifted the rear of the boat with the home made A-frame and hoist so that I could roll the trailer out, disassemble it and paint it with a few cans of Rustoleum. lifted and held the boat just fine.

 

[bry66]

Another vote for the Harbor Freight one. That’s the same one I bought about 5 or 6 years ago and it works great. Ive used it twice now to pull my SBC, and once to load up a BBC in someone else’s vehicle. I’ve used it a few times to load/unload miscellaneous stuff from my truck too, most recently when we lost power and I had to borrow a friend’s generator. The thing actually gets quite a bit more use around here than I would have expected.

If you’re tight on space to store it, keep in mind that it only takes about 10 minutes to break it down. It hardly takes up any space if you just lean the pieces up against the wall.

 

[Germjoe2000]

I had really good luck using a rental this year. It was $50 each time I used it and didn't have to store it. Check local rental shops, I'm assuming you only plan to use it when you are pulling the engine and eventually putting it back in.

 

[FootSoldier]

I had really good luck using a rental this year. It was $50 each time I used it and didn't have to store it. Check local rental shops, I'm assuming you only plan to use it when you are pulling the engine and eventually putting it back in.

Yes, that's right. I am going to make some calls tomorrow. The space issue is serious for me so that may dictate what I do.

 

[FootSoldier]

What is the weight rating on the 2 ton HF lift with the boom fully extended? I found one in a similar price category that claims 1k with boom fully extended.

 

[BillyGman]

This will work just fine:

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

the 2 ton harbor freight one is more than enough. worked great on an iron headed 454 with a turbo 400 attached

Another vote for the Harbor Freight one. That’s the same one I bought about 5 or 6 years ago and it works great. Ive used it twice now to pull my SBC, and once to load up a BBC in someone else’s vehicle. I’ve used it a few times to load/unload miscellaneous stuff from my truck too, most recently when we lost power and I had to borrow a friend’s generator. The thing actually gets quite a bit more use around here than I would have expected.

If you’re tight on space to store it, keep in mind that it only takes about 10 minutes to break it down. It hardly takes up any space if you just lean the pieces up against the wall.

X4 I bought the 2 ton Harbor Freight model earlier this year and removed the 632cid iron short block from my 70 Chevelle with it, and I also just installed the same block, with the heads and intake bolted on, back in the car with that same hoist, and it worked great. Well worth the money. If I had to list any complaint with it, I'd have to say that the leg pins for folding up the hoist for storage are a little tough to remove and install, (even after I lubed them up real good. ). But it isn't something I cannot deal with. The hoist is very sturdy, and there's no way you're lifting an engine heavier than mine is with it's tall deck iron block and it's 84 lb crankshaft. Unless maybe you have a big diesel engine in your car.

 

[BillyGman]

What is the weight rating on the 2 ton HF lift with the boom fully extended? I found one in a similar price category that claims 1k with boom fully extended.

Hang on, I'll take a walk in the garage to check.........

 

[BillyGman]

here ya go....

 

[70power]

Highly recommend the Northern Tool 2 ton with leveler included. $350 out the door.

 

[cherokeepeople]

mine is similar to the HF but my legs pull out and store next to the boom.i actually trust it more then those front pins.as for weight,i have had a 5.9 cummins on mine.and i have picked up one side of a 1000 gallon propane that was full.