I've got a Harbor Freight 2.5 ton hoist and plan on dropping my truck that's lifted 6" down on the spindles onto some wheel dollies.

Am I going to clear the rad support or am I going to have to get more creative to get my new long block in?

I did notice now that it's lifted, a lot of the bolts (engine mounts, etc) are going to be easier to access.

 

I didnt remove my front tires during the swap and had no issues so if your up 6"s over stock, removing the tires should put you down below what a stock truck would be on the stock wheels.

 

We are doing this right now. Remove the wiper cowl. Had a hell of a time getting the long block out. We'll be removing the cowl to put the new block in.

 

I had to drop my front end to the concrete, my cherry picker died when it picked that motor and wouldn't lift it high enough to clear the front clip.

 

Be sure the read the instructions relating to safe weight at various arm lengths. IIRC if you extend most hoist arms out to the max (can't look at mine right now), you've cut the safe lift capacity down to something like 25% of max rated value. Basically if you have a 2 ton hoist, extend it to the max, you can safely lift something like 500 lbs. Your manual for the hoist should say what you can safely lift at each extension of the lift arm.

 

Most of them have 4 options, 1/2 ton, 1 ton, 1 1/2 tons and 2 ton. So even fully extended it should be 1000lbs. Which they only weight in at about 500 I think.

 

You're right, mind wasn't working right at the time. Mine is a 1 ton unit, not a 2 ton.

 

These engines are honkers, what would you all say they weigh in at mostly dressed (no accessories, starter, intake...)? I'm going to have to extend the boom all the way to be able to do this, even if it max'd it out and strained the crap out of it.....as long as it didn't blow out the hyd. ram or snap the arm, and it could pull the old one and get the new one in, I'd be happy.

 

I've got a 3" lift on mine and was able to do it with the front tires on. It was a PITA. Putting it back in, ill remove the hood, and the wiper cowl - moslty because I have to replace the cowl because I cracked it pulling the motor-- it was already broken though, so no biggie.


You know where you're getting your long block yet? Where and how much is it?