Author Topic: methods for working on lifted trucks?  (Read 3684 times)

Offline BillWill

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 34
  • Newbie
methods for working on lifted trucks?
« on: April 13, 2019, 09:52:51 AM »
4" lift on 33's and working in the engine bay I find myself either standing on tire rim, tire itself, trying to balance on bumper, climbing in or sometimes just laying on top of whatever I need to reach.  I've tried using a small step ladder but it is always unstable and was just wondering what you guys do to work on your lifted trucks.

I've thought about getting those tire steps but the few I"ve looked at won't fit my mud tires but honestly have not spent a ton of time looking at different types yet. I work on my truck like most I"m sure just in my yard so I don't have a shop and being a full size k10 it does not fit in my garage (that and I'm not willing to kick my wife out of it).

I"ve even thought about ordering a new bumper that is big enough to just stand on but they are definitely more expensive then I'm willing to spend right now.

1986 chevy K10 Scottsdale
305 w/700r w/np208 w/AC
3.73 gears 10 bolt rear
3" lift on 33's

Offline VileZambonie

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18979
Re: methods for working on lifted trucks?
« Reply #1 on: April 13, 2019, 10:34:41 AM »
You can air down the tires and reinflate them when you are done. Or use one of these which are great. https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-2252GR/Ladders/3-Step-Utility-Step-Ladder-Gray?pricode=WA9358&gadtype=pla&id=H-2252GR&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvYOftrLN4QIVbf_jBx341g02EAkYAyABEgJehfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

If you use a tire step, be careful, I've seen them ruin many fenders.

,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠¯¯¯¯¯'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline Stewart G Griffin

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 3324
Re: methods for working on lifted trucks?
« Reply #2 on: April 13, 2019, 12:05:20 PM »
Considering switching to a 4.3 v-6 is out of the question for most people, but this is one reason why i did it:




Yes, i can physically stand in the engine compartment.   Makes working on the engine SO much easier.    It also helps to lose weight/be thinner and i may start a separate thread on that topic as well.

A MILE of space:

Offline Stewart G Griffin

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 3324
Re: methods for working on lifted trucks?
« Reply #3 on: April 13, 2019, 12:09:21 PM »
Most people are totally opposed to going 6 from 8, so you might consider this:

https://traxionproducts.com/products/topside-creeper

Offline Irish_Alley

  • Tim
  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13319
  • Family is not an important thing. It's everything.
Re: methods for working on lifted trucks?
« Reply #4 on: April 13, 2019, 01:19:13 PM »
like vile said you can air down the tires or you can build one of those steps to fit your truck. when working on my 79k20 with 6+" lift and 40s i would climb the tire and then step on the bumper. sometimes i would climb into the engine bay. bt then i would also slip sometimes and it got real sketchy fast. i ended up getting a 3 step ladder (the type with the handle bar) that helps a lot and they tend to slip less  with the four rubber feet
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes

Offline ehjorten

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1198
Re: methods for working on lifted trucks?
« Reply #5 on: April 15, 2019, 08:48:22 AM »
Topside Creeper!
-Erik-
1991 V3500 - Gen V TBI 454, 4L80E, NP205, 14 bolt FF, D60, 8" Lift on 35s
1977 K20 Silverado - 350, THM350, NP203, 14 bolt FF, D44, Stock Lift on 31s
1969 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe - EFI350, THM350
1968 Chevrolet Step-side Pickup - 300HP L6

Offline Jason S

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1561
Re: methods for working on lifted trucks?
« Reply #6 on: April 18, 2019, 09:06:05 PM »
A metal folding chair (as found in churches, community centers or on WWF) works great for working on my 73 with a 4" lift. 
« Last Edit: April 18, 2019, 09:08:43 PM by Jason S »
1973 GMC K2500, Super Custom, Camper Special, 350, TH350, NP203, 4.10's
1974 Chevrolet K10, Custom Deluxe, 350, SM465, NP203, 3.73's

"1) Peace through strength; 2) Trust but verify; 3) Beware of evil in the modern world"

Offline roundhouse

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1474
  • Newbie
methods for working on lifted trucks?
« Reply #7 on: April 20, 2019, 07:31:49 AM »
I use the tire step
It’s adjustable and fits 35x15 tires
But needed something else for the front of the truck plus the tire step is a little too tall sometimes


I also use a home made step box

I took two of the clear plastic storage tubs and nested them together

Lightweight but strong enough to support me at 230 lbs

Not sure of the size
They are about 18 deep 18 wide and 28 long

I used some gorilla glue in between them so they won’t come apart
Wish I had used a thin sheet of plywood or metal in between em
  It sags a little when you stand on it but hasn’t collapsed yet

Or you could make one out of plywood
But I had a bunch of the storage tubs laying around from remodeling my laundry room


I too have no garage
I do all my work in the driveway
  Did my LS swap in the driveway which is asphalt and old and soft so we had to lay down plywood for the engine hoist cause it kept sinking into the asphalt

I wouldn’t use a folding chair

To fragile and tippy
« Last Edit: April 20, 2019, 07:34:36 AM by roundhouse »

Offline Irish_Alley

  • Tim
  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13319
  • Family is not an important thing. It's everything.
Re: methods for working on lifted trucks?
« Reply #8 on: April 20, 2019, 07:36:06 AM »
also somethings tend to slide when you start leaning into the engine bay
« Last Edit: April 23, 2019, 06:00:13 PM by Irish_Alley »
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes

Offline fitz

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 2084
Re: methods for working on lifted trucks?
« Reply #9 on: April 23, 2019, 03:30:57 PM »
You could always take off your tires and rims and just bolt on spare rims without tires.

Offline Stinky

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 8
  • Newbie
Re: methods for working on lifted trucks?
« Reply #10 on: April 24, 2019, 09:00:52 PM »
Homer Depot has work platforms that you can use as well. Hold 250-300lb. Not that expensive either. 30-60 bucks or so.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gorilla-Ladders-47-25-in-x-12-in-x-20-in-Aluminum-Slim-Fold-Work-Platform-with-300-lbs-Load-Capacity-GLWP-47/305590237
88.5 Chevy Suburban Silverado V20 350 5.7tbi 400th 208 4.10 4" lift on 33's w Front & Rear LSD

78 GMC Sierra Grande K1500 350 5.7 205 3.42 4" lift on 33's w Rear LSD. I don't recommend that gear and tire combo unless you like burning up clutches...A lot

Offline Manswame

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 21
  • '82 k10 with 305 stock
Re: methods for working on lifted trucks?
« Reply #11 on: April 25, 2019, 08:43:25 AM »
Try looking up work platform as at lowes. They come in different heights and are less than 100 bucks. It'll give you more range because of the length and/or a spot to bnb put things in closer reach.

Try home depot and amazon too, they might have different sizes.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

1982 K10 with 305 STOCK

Offline Stewart G Griffin

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 3324
Re: methods for working on lifted trucks?
« Reply #12 on: April 30, 2019, 01:58:35 PM »
The other thing i've thought about for a long time is doing a tilt front end.   But it might be rather involved.....or not?