Truckman top removal?

[steveR]

I bought a replacement Ford Ranger a fortnight ago, very pleased with it, but it comes with a Truckman hi-top that wants removing.

It's held down with 3 bolts each side which will be easily undone. However, I friend who was helping me last weekend said they are damned heavy, and needs 4 people to take it off. I have 2 old crocks..... No lifting eyes and the glass back, prevents pallet tines being used.

Anyone else handled one of these got a suggestion? Else I wait until I have a gang of folks here at shooting time!

 

[Lincs Lass]

Can you take the tail gate of the top and put pallet tines in from the rear

 

[clbarclay]

Blocks sat on the pallet forks so they don't touch the glass tailgate?

 

[Netherfield]

Misread that for a start, I thought it meant you had a glass back.

 

[steveR]

Can you take the tail gate of the top and put pallet tines in from the rear

Looks awkward, but might give the bolts a good soaking with WD40. I'd hoped to take it off in one piece, so as to maintain it's rigidity, but possibly not feasible.

 

[steveR]

Blocks sat on the pallet forks so they don't touch the glass tailgate?

need over 2ft.

 

[Welderloon]

They are more awkward than heavy.
I blocked up 1x side, then drove in with the pallet forks from the raised side, once in I blocked up the other side, slid a half sheet of marine ply over the forks from the other side, clamped it to the back of the forks inside the truckman, took the weight, checked for balance, raised it a little bit further & drove the truck clear minus the truckman - then lowered the truckman on to a pallet.
Managed myself.

 

[steveR]

They are more awkward than heavy.
I blocked up 1x side, then drove in with the pallet forks from the raised side, once in I blocked up the other side, slid a half sheet of marine ply over the forks from the other side, clamped it to the back of the forks inside the truckman, took the weight, checked for balance, raised it a little bit further & drove the truck clear minus the truckman - then lowered the truckman on to a pallet.
Managed myself.

Very clear and useful advice. Thanks for that. Seems a workable solution... once I find a bit of decent ply!

 

[Big Ted]

Could you not just slide a couple of ratchet straps underneath the sides and use them like a pair of lifting slings

 

[Whitepeak]

Has it got the rails over the top? I've taken mine off by strapping/tying the rails to bale spikes and lifting it clear.
If it's been on a while the rubber seals have probably fused to the paintwork of the pickup and can be awkward to get off without damaging the paintwork.
Two people (me and Mrs Whitepeak) can lift one off but it's not easy, and mine isn't the hi top version.

 

[David1968]

They're not really that heavy. Have lifted them on and off with just 2 people ok. The key is having something to sit it on. It's the bending down to put it on the ground that's the killer.

Alternatively, one of you gets inside and lifts the front with his back while the other shoves a fence post through. Then the same with the back.
After that you can put slings round it and lift it that way.

 

[steveR]

Could you not just slide a couple of ratchet straps underneath the sides and use them like a pair of lifting slings

I was dubious whether the straps would squeeze the base in... Although, I guess 2 pieces 3x2 timber would stop that.

 

[steveR]

Has it got the rails over the top? I've taken mine off by strapping/tying the rails to bale spikes and lifting it clear.
If it's been on a while the rubber seals have probably fused to the paintwork of the pickup and can be awkward to get off without damaging the paintwork.
Two people (me and Mrs Whitepeak) can lift one off but it's not easy, and mine isn't the hi top version.

Yes, 2 short rails, but been there since 2018.

I used to manage my Gamic top quite easily with two of us, the Truckman hi-top is in another league on size, weight and awkwardness...

 

[chickens and wheat]

Stack of pallets behind pickup same height as bottom of truckman, walk it backwards.
Personally id rather lift with forks

 

[Ffermer Bach]

need over 2ft.

small bale of hay?

 

[Ffermer Bach]

They're not really that heavy. Have lifted them on and off with just 2 people ok. The key is having something to sit it on. It's the bending down to put it on the ground that's the killer.

Alternatively, one of you gets inside and lifts the front with his back while the other shoves a fence post through. Then the same with the back.
After that you can put slings round it and lift it that way.

That's how I put the top on and off the CLH small trailer, I know it's a lot lighter, but still difficult on your own (especially lining up the four arms).

 

[Tarw Coch]

Get the beers and burgers in and invite the TFF ers around for a party, should get plenty of volunteers that way

 

[agrotron]

If it’s got roof bars on just strap to them. Did mine using straps and digger. Did it manually first time by lifting on my back like a turtle and got in a bit of a mess.

 

[GEMS]

Have you got central locking and high level brake light on it ?? -Need to disconnect wires where they exit vehicle.
Replaced a shatered hatch -bloomin nightmare -only available complete @£600+

 

[warksfarmer]

I bought a replacement Ford Ranger a fortnight ago, very pleased with it, but it comes with a Truckman hi-top that wants removing.

It's held down with 3 bolts each side which will be easily undone. However, I friend who was helping me last weekend said they are damned heavy, and needs 4 people to take it off. I have 2 old crocks..... No lifting eyes and the glass back, prevents pallet tines being used.

Anyone else handled one of these got a suggestion? Else I wait until I have a gang of folks here at shooting time!

They are not heavy. You can almost do them on your own to be honest, certainly with a forklift at the rear as you can slide them off by hand.