Gang-box issue...need ideas

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Okay I'm thinking about how to get my gang box off of and on to my truck at home rather than emptying it out and having a friend help me pick it up while it's empty, than filling it back up again. My two ideas are mounting a winch into the bed and using a ramp (which makes nervous about damage to the frame), or building some sort of gantry/chainfall type of rig. The box weighs about 500 lbs, is about 3 1/2 ft tall with casters on, and the bed is about 3 feet tall as well. The truck is a 2006 diesel f-250 4X4. Unfortunatly I don't have any pictures, but if any of you guys have any ideas for something I could build at the house it would be mucho appreciated.
Reply:How about a bed-mounted jib crane like 'Combat Jump' just installed?  See recent thread.  The HF model he and I both have was about $100.  He's put a few hours and another I dunno, $100 in parts into his lift.  I use mine just as it came out of the box.  Not perfect, but perfectly capable of lifting 500 lbs in a steel jobox.  Buy a lifting strap/sling or install a solid eyelet in the center of mass on the lid.  I'd probably go with a couple lifting straps so you can rig the box correctly, and use them to pick up other stuff...Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:How about something like a motorcycle lift?http://www.supplierlist.com/product_...ble_800lbs.htmLast edited by RandomDave; 03-07-2010 at 01:25 PM.
Reply:dang!.. get a smaller box!.. i work out of a bucket.. lol.. but seriously.. why a huge box.. never understood that..if you're not livin on the edge, you're takin up too much room..
Reply:I have the same problem...but I don't have to move it often
Reply:How about finding a good used lift gate?  Probably would make a nice adjustable work platform as well.
Reply:why dont you build an a-frame with a chain hoist you can pick it up load itsa200 mo heat mo rod mo money
Reply:IamVince,What does that box weigh?If you floor it, can you get your SUV to do a wheelie?
Reply:Originally Posted by caudlewhy dont you build an a-frame with a chain hoist you can pick it up load it
Reply:why not get an aluminum box for your truck bed (i have a larger sized one) and put casters on it.. and don't bolt it down.. that's what i do.. i keep all my power tools, chainfalls and come-alongs and stuff in there, get to the jobsite and unload it.. when the job is over, i load it up and it looks like it belongs there.. 'cause it does.. lol.. it's a truck box.. but anyways.. like i said before... i do that and use a bucket for what i need.. ditch the big box and get a box that fits your truck.. then you won't have to worry about taking it off..if you're not livin on the edge, you're takin up too much room..
Reply:hi, why not look into a engine hoist ??   they also have other uses too ??? I got one of the 2 ton harbor freight ones for 150 with their coupon. it has  excellent reviews from all  sites that i checked. good luck
Reply:The HF 1 ton folding one is on sale for $89 at the moment...I doubt you could buy the parts for that price and then you'd have to build it... Try this..  http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/...e=magurl1.html   $89 coupon and a 20% off coupon too!Last edited by mudbugone; 03-07-2010 at 09:43 PM.
Reply:Engine hoist!   Getting my Syncrowave out of the bed of my F350 was a snap with an engine hoist.  Many of them will lift up to 7 feet high and easily handle 2 tons.  If your location was listed (hint hint) it would be easy to give you a link to product sold by a nearby retailer.Lincoln AC225 & MigPak 140, Lincoln Magnum SpoolGun, Miller Spectrum 375-X Plasma, Syncrowave 200 TIG, Millermatic 252 MIG, Miller Digital Elite, General 7x12" horiz/vert bandsaw, 3' box/pan brake, 20 ton press, milling machine, 12x28 lathe, etc.
Reply:holy crapola i was expecting one or two responses since i posted this yesterday, and now im overloaded! these are all good ideas; @auqafire im in northwestern cti like the 2-ton engine hoist idea, i think i may try that, but a follow up question i have is whether my lack of a hard-faced driveway will get in the way (we have gravel, and my garage is too small)?
Reply:Only option in that case might be to put off road (bigger) wheels on the hoist and it still might be a chore to move loaded... Your best idea considering your situation is an A-frame positioned where you want to set the box down and a hoist on the A-frame.. Back under the A-frame lift the box and drive out from under it. Leave it hanging or set it on the ground or build a stand for the box to set on while it's not in the truck (best option) It won't be on the ground and you won't have to lower/lift it as far.
Reply:This is something I made to pull boat engines. The little lawn tractor is to maneuver around the back yard.Oh, it also swings 360* but it's gotta be level if you got weight on it.The boom goes to 10' and the engine clears 6'+Last edited by jtybt; 03-09-2010 at 12:10 AM.
Reply:If it's just a question of getting it out of the truck say for the weekend so you can have the back free, something as simple as a section of scaffolding might work. Set the platform at the same level as the tailgate, back up and slide the box on to the scaffolding and then just leave it there till Monday when you slide it back in. All you'd need is casters on the box, and maybe a small plywood ramp. I used to do this with my PU cap. I had a frame built at the same height as the bed rails behind the garage. I'd pull next to the garage, and backup to the rails, unclamp the cap and them just slide it off the truck bed onto the rails, so I had the back open for large items. Then I'd just slide it back on the truck later when I was done. I didn't need 2 guys to unload the cap that way..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:yeah I got the same problem... But i have a truck with a skid on it and no room for my Green Lee Box...LeighLincoln Classic 300DLincoln SA 250Red d arc 300 dieselRanger 305Miller 302 Trailblazer12V Extreme SuitcaseMiller 200 DXVictor O/A torches3 dodge dually cummmins