Pulling motor out of a 4x4 using a std cherry picker, question on height.

[74k20]

I'm doing a little research and trying to be prepared for a motor pull coming up soon.  I've pulled many motors, so the procedure is not my problem.  Pulling a 400sb, th400, np203 from a donor '77 K10 4x4 not lifted.  I'll be using a standard home garage cherry picker.  The 4x4 height is what I'm not sure about.

Will I need to take the front tires off to get the truck low enough to pull motor and trans out together?  I'm just concerned that I won't have enough height, and be stuck doing the "now what" rush while motor is hanging.  Should I have front wheels off just incase, or will letting air out be enough?

Simple questions, I've just never done a 4x4 yet.  Yep I did a search and found nothing, or missed the info somewhere.

Thanks,

[beastie_3]

When I pulled my engine out of my 79, it had a 4" lift with 33" tires. The pan scraped the radiator support as it came out. Plus I was on an uneven surface. I do believe I had to let the air out of my front tires.

[Irish_Alley]

you will be good as long as you use the chain smartly and don't have too much links. also you could not that you have too but could remove the front clip and work that way since you have to take the rad out hood off anyway whats a couple more bolts

[74k20]

I wondered if the front clip came off easily.  I did that with my '65 Chevelle putting in a big block.  LOVED having all that room, and yea it was easy to remove.  Overkill - maybe, but nice.  Most engine pulls are done by myself, with the wife and kids on standby for safety.

Thanks

[Captkaos]

Not easy to get the clip off in my opinion.  I have pulled motors out of stock height 4x4's with no problem, it really depends on how long the boom can be adjusted to.

[Russ130]

You can eliminate the chain all together with one of those plates you bolt to the carb. But the chain works easy enough just take up all the slack first. I have also swapped many motors into and out of these trucks with basic cherry picker with no problem. Just make sure the arm is adjusted all the way out.

[GP3624]

Worse case scenario, if your lift wont raise the motor high enough, toss a 2x4 onto the frame rails, settle the motor on it and reposition the chain shorter to lift higher. Necessity always has been and always will be the mother of invention...Good luck and be safe...

[malibu795]

split the engine and tranny..
the 203 will cause some major tilt and wont clear the rad sopport.


you will be fine 

[74k20]

I wanted to use one of those motor plates this time, as I've always just done the chain thing.  However I wondered how to control motor tilt with a plate.  Using a chain you can just shove the hook into a different position to increase or decrease tilt as needed.  I also would like to try the tilt bar someday, but that increases the height from the hoist hook to motor, which is what I was concerned about in the 1st place.

Thanks for all advice, should be getting the donor truck this week.  I'll share a side by side picture once both are in the driveway.  Same color and all, just a 1/2 ton flavor.

[Layne]

My plate has three different holes for motor tilt

[Russ130]

My plate has three different holes for motor tilt

Same with mine. Also malibu makes a good point split the tranny or the t-case off. That t-case weighs a ton and being that far from the carb is going to make it tilt more than you will be able overcome no matter what hole you use.

[74k20]

The thing I don't like (or worried about), is while the motor carb plate does have the 3 holes, you have to lower/brace to change holes to get the angle needed.  A regular tight chain can be man handled to the desired angle needed while in the air.  The leveler would be great, but then the motor to hoist length is decreased for the 4x4 height application.

Thanks on the t-case advice,  Yea I'll take that off before lifting out.  GREAT idea, expecially while doing it myself.

Almost got the garage cleaned up ready to mess it up again.  Yippy.

[Mike Phillips]

Don't know if this helps but here's how I do it... get some steel wheels without tires...

[malibu795]

Don't know if this helps but here's how I do it... get some steel wheels without tires...

lol
i like that

[78 Chevyrado]

Don't know if this helps but here's how I do it... get some steel wheels without tires...

Excellent idea!  I'll have two extra crappy wheels when the time comes to remove my engine...  Now I think I'll be keeping them!