Top side creeper begun today

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I welded the "U" at the bottom using 2" x 3/16 square tube with an extension to slide into my front receiver hitch. The ladder legs are bolted to it with 1/2" bolts, and the ladder supports with 3/8" bolts. I'll probably switch to wing nuts for storage knockdown. The chest pad will sit on 1x2 angle. I'll use plywood with a pad to fit it. First I'll play around to get the right size and shape for the pad, maybe rounded in front, so I'll be able to reach everything. When I an sure it is how I want it I will trim the excess corners on the steel and round off any exposed ends.Tomorrow I'll do the steps. I think near the top I will need a piece of 1x3 mounted vertically to put padding on for leaning on.Miller Challenger 172Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC 225/150Miller Maxstar 150 STLVictor 100CVictor JourneymanOxweld OAHarris O/ASmith O/A little torchNo, that's not my car.
Reply:Ha, now that's a good idea. Beats standing on some short little stool and having it kick out every time you over reach."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:Especially when trying to change a cap & rotor on a Dodge 360...................  2 broken ribs later, I had the truck running again.Great idea, wish I had of thought of it.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:I had one at a shop that I used to work at. Could really get up there on lifted F-250's. Great for working on turbos.ChrisLincoln Pro Mig 180TMiller Spectrum 375
Reply:Wow what a great idea.Wish I would of had one for my 1982 GMC 6.2 diesel 4x4.I used to have to change both head gaskets every fall before the weather got cold and they would fail completely.I used to take off the front tires and let the front of the truck down on the shop floor so I could reach the engine, this looks so much easier.If it were mine I would make a couple of trays on either side to hold tools, parts, coffee mug etc.Be sure to post a pic when you're done."The reason we are here is that we are not all there"SA 200Idealarc TM 300 300MM 200MM 25130a SpoolgunPrecision Tig 375Invertec V350 ProSC-32 CS 12 Wire FeederOxweld/Purox O/AArcAirHypertherm Powermax 85LN25
Reply:Originally Posted by KnacKI had one at a shop that I used to work at. Could really get up there on lifted F-250's. Great for working on turbos.
Reply:Here's the one that I used to use:http://www.relstapleton.com/topsideproducts.htmlChrisLincoln Pro Mig 180TMiller Spectrum 375
Reply:I have done the turbo up pipe job about 5 times.     My advice is buy the ceramic coated bellows style up pipes from one of the performance vendors.    be very very careful about the studs that are in the EBP valve outlet casting,  they like to snap and its pretty much easier to replace the casting at that point.    I found it easiest to install all the pipes loosely then install the turbo, tighten all the bolts you can then remove the turbo for final tightening and reinstall. Its also a 50/50 on weather or not the V band clam will come apart. Areo-kroil is your friend.  spray the living snot out of all the bolts with it a couple of days in advance.Truth be told if you think your going to need to do ANY transmission work in the near future i would hold off on the up pipes till then.   Makes it a MILLION times easier doing it from the bottom when the Trans is out of the way.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Got the steps done, I only needed two. I carefully placed the top one (working step) where I was most comfortable, after experimenting with milk crates and 2" pavers. I already had the chest support installed so I could lean over the engine while locating the step in the best place, I trimmed all the sharp corners back and rounded them, shortened the top rails and capped them then ground them smooth. The whole assembly can be pulled off the "wishbone" with four hitch pins then the chest support folds down after removing two hitch pins, so the whole thing can be stored flat. I also made the chest pad adjustable as far as tilt by drilling several holes.The only things left are the pad for the chest support and I want to drill two holes in the receiver at right angles and weld nuts over them so I can tighten up on the extension as it has a bit of side to side play.The advantage of using the receiver hitch instead of building it on wheels is mainly keeps it small and storable. You can build one on wheels or feet but you need long. wide supports to slide under the truck. I don't have much shop space so I did it this way.I also built a pipe rack that fits my hitch.Miller Challenger 172Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC 225/150Miller Maxstar 150 STLVictor 100CVictor JourneymanOxweld OAHarris O/ASmith O/A little torchNo, that's not my car.
Reply:DualieI was planning on the IH bellowed up pipes for sure. I decided not to pay extra for the ceramic coating though, nothing else will be coated and some of the guys over at the Powerstroke forum said not worth it for a stock truck with no HP mods planned.The tranny only has 28K on it, I hope I won't be pulling it soon. I keep the fluid fresh and I added an external spin on and a 6.0 cooler.Miller Challenger 172Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC 225/150Miller Maxstar 150 STLVictor 100CVictor JourneymanOxweld OAHarris O/ASmith O/A little torchNo, that's not my car.
Reply:Originally Posted by noriteBe sure to post a pic when you're done.
Reply:That's down right neat . . . . . . but watch yer head comin' out! Have you considered putting a series of holes at different heights to allow adjusting for various vehicles?MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:good point, altho the hood is padded. I think I'll look into fixing the hood to open straight up 90 degrees like the Mercedes hoods.I've always dreamed of a Powerstroke with a tilt cab.Last edited by bigb; 09-12-2010 at 09:57 PM.Miller Challenger 172Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC 225/150Miller Maxstar 150 STLVictor 100CVictor JourneymanOxweld OAHarris O/ASmith O/A little torchNo, that's not my car.
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55Have you considered putting a series of holes at different heights to allow adjusting for various vehicles?
Reply:Good work.  And, in the future, if you need to use it when working on a different vehicle, twin extensions can be added to the legs to get under the center of gravity when loaded with a mechanic.  By using your method of assembly, it would still fold up, too.