Steve83 > 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 > open folder Bed Crane

I haven't been able to find a bed crane that stows out-of-the-way, so I'm building one.
04Boom.JPG
841 hits | 64.64 KB | Posted: 11/26/11
I haven't been able to find a bed crane that stows out-of-the-way, so I'm building one.
These tubes will reinforce the bed so the crane can handle some load without bending the sheet metal...
13Assy.JPG
1186 hits | 52.83 KB | Posted: 11/26/11
These tubes will reinforce the bed so the crane can handle some load without bending the sheet metal...
It's coming together slowly...
14TestFit.JPG
781 hits | 89.92 KB | Posted: 12/18/11
It's coming together slowly...
Apparently, my base plate is pretty strong, since that's all that's holding the ~70lb assembly up ri...
23Hung.JPG
753 hits | 90.09 KB | Posted: 12/22/11
Apparently, my base plate is pretty strong, since that's all that's holding the ~70lb assembly up ri...
It fits! It works! A lot of it is just tack-welded, so I have to take it apart & finish booger-wel...
24Hoisted.JPG
767 hits | 102.01 KB | Posted: 12/23/11
It fits! It works! A lot of it is just tack-welded, so I have to take it apart & finish booger-wel...
Even with the boom fully compressed, it has enough reach to lift something over the t/g. But extend...
25Hoisted.JPG
715 hits | 97.01 KB | Posted: 12/23/11
Even with the boom fully compressed, it has enough reach to lift something over the t/g. But extend...
I still have to drill the holes in the black boom for the extension pin, and then sandblast & paint ...
26High.JPG
786 hits | 95.01 KB | Posted: 12/23/11
I still have to drill the holes in the black boom for the extension pin, and then sandblast & paint ...
Extended at full droop, it just clears the t/g.
27Low.JPG
703 hits | 96.7 KB | Posted: 12/23/11
Extended at full droop, it just clears the t/g.
This isn't FULL-height, but it's close. Obviously, it can only be used like this when the camper sh...
28Up.JPG
1231 hits | 86.66 KB | Posted: 12/23/11
This isn't FULL-height, but it's close. Obviously, it can only be used like this when the camper sh...
This is the main reason I built my own instead of buying one - storage, and accessibility. It self-...
30Stowed.JPG
1034 hits | 88.81 KB | Posted: 12/23/11
This is the main reason I built my own instead of buying one - storage, and accessibility. It self-...
I built the cable long enough to use the snatch block at full extension, but it's still short enough...
32Cable.JPG
739 hits | 91.44 KB | Posted: 1/6/12
I built the cable long enough to use the snatch block at full extension, but it's still short enough...
I kicked it off into the deep end: the test-run is a complete 5.8L engine with a full torque convert...
36Engine.JPG
780 hits | 121.36 KB | Posted: 1/6/12
I kicked it off into the deep end: the test-run is a complete 5.8L engine with a full torque convert...
This boom is thinner tubing, so I expected it to fold as I was raising the engine, but it held. So ...
41Engine.JPG
1398 hits | 116.54 KB | Posted: 1/6/12
This boom is thinner tubing, so I expected it to fold as I was raising the engine, but it held. So ...
After resetting with the normal boom, I stripped it to the long block. The crane is relatively easy...
46Engine.JPG
948 hits | 79.03 KB | Posted: 1/6/12
After resetting with the normal boom, I stripped it to the long block. The crane is relatively easy...
This was with the long boom swung straight to the side, which puts the most load on the bedwall & br...
53Engine.JPG
943 hits | 83.71 KB | Posted: 1/6/12
This was with the long boom swung straight to the side, which puts the most load on the bedwall & br...
With the shorter boom, it swings inside. I put one strap on the engine to keep it from swinging, an...
54Engine.JPG
857 hits | 71.49 KB | Posted: 1/6/12
With the shorter boom, it swings inside. I put one strap on the engine to keep it from swinging, an...
This engine/trans came out of my '83 Bronco and is going onto a '93 Bronco frame with all the '83's ...
07Enh.JPG
806 hits | 107.82 KB | Posted: 7/22/12
This engine/trans came out of my '83 Bronco and is going onto a '93 Bronco frame with all the '83's ...
I need to haul my front door, and it won't fit in the bed, so I'm removing the camper shell. The cr...
Camper01.JPG
499 hits | 130.25 KB | Posted: 3/25/14
I need to haul my front door, and it won't fit in the bed, so I'm removing the camper shell. The cr...
I had to add a small plywood pad, but the crane lifts the shell easily, and reaches very close to it...
Camper02.JPG
430 hits | 128.78 KB | Posted: 3/25/14
I had to add a small plywood pad, but the crane lifts the shell easily, and reaches very close to it...
It's on the bedrails to keep it from tipping in the breeze, but the camper's weight is entirely on t...
Camper03.JPG
405 hits | 121.91 KB | Posted: 3/25/14
It's on the bedrails to keep it from tipping in the breeze, but the camper's weight is entirely on t...
It's on the bedrails to keep it from tipping in the breeze, but the camper's weight is entirely on ...
Camper04.JPG
634 hits | 131.88 KB | Posted: 3/25/14
It's on the bedrails to keep it from tipping in the breeze, but the camper's weight is entirely on ...
I lowered the crane until I could pick the camper up on my shoulders, and walked it to the back yard...
Camper05.JPG
561 hits | 126.42 KB | Posted: 3/25/14
I lowered the crane until I could pick the camper up on my shoulders, and walked it to the back yard...
This is the first time I've had the camper off, and probably the first time it has been off in more ...
Camper06.JPG
499 hits | 123.39 KB | Posted: 3/25/14
This is the first time I've had the camper off, and probably the first time it has been off in more ...