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What do you use to stand on when working on your truck?

redheadedrod

SM 2017
PM 2015
Full Member
Joined
May 15, 2011
Messages
3,187
Location
Muskegon, MI
My Avalanche is the first full sized truck I have ever owned and when I did the intake gasket swap out I ran into something I never have before. I am 6'3" and this is the first vehicle I have owned that I couldn't reach into the engine compartment and reach pretty much everything. I used a step stool sparingly and ended up climbing into the engine compartment to actually work on the intake bolts because I couldn't reach them from outside the truck. (I did not have the secondary battery installed so I had one foot on the aux battery tray and the other within the compartment. ) Negative battery terminal disconnected of course.

So I am curious what others have used when working on their trucks?

I can see a use for a scissor type platform but not likely practical or cheap.

Rodney
 
I am also 6'3 my avy is a stock 2500 series 4x4. I did plugs the other day and i used a full sized spare tire mounted on a rim to stand on and it worked out good. I also just purchased this http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200419263_200419263
but have not used it yet. It is 19 inches tall so it maybe too tall and may make my back hurt but time will tell. I had a 4x4 72 blazer and used one of these and they are adjustable and it worked out pretty well but sold it with the truck. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200631961_200631961
 
IF I?m doing an extended amount of work under the hood.
I will remove the front wheels and lower on to the lowest setting on jack stands. If I?m out side on uneven ground I have used rims or in need of being lower in the shop.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200631961_200631961
I have used these in the past until I noticed they scar up and leave permanent indentation in the sidewalls. Some day looking at maybe modifying they do work.
 
I've got some wooden boxes about 1' tall and 2.5' long that I often stand on.  Also some of the wife's step stools.
 
step stool for me too, although mine is wooden and it slips when I lean forward.  I recommend instead getting one with rubber feet!  :)
 
Years ago I had a tall 4x4 and I bought a step stool from Louisville Ladder Corp. that has 2 steps, total height of 18", steps have the dimples for non slippage and the 4 legs have rubber feet that contact the ground when step on the steps because it has 4 rollers to move around easy. Has never failed in going on 12 years.
 
I have a front hitch. So I just put my hitch haul on the front. Works great.
 
I have a few 36" long 24" tall collapseable scaffolds I used when I did construction work, they are aluminum lightweight and sturdy, plus being three feet long you can walk on them.
 
This looks like an interesting and handy way to work on trucks, The Elevator by Nomad manufacturing :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzUpcSoC5_w
 

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When I did the intake gaskets, I was at work so I put a 1/2" plate on the forklift and put it in front of the truck  >:D if I'm at home, it's usually boards on top of 5 gallon buckets, or balance on the front of the engine compartment  :laugh:
 
Vaeagleav said:
This looks like an interesting and handy way to work on trucks, The Elevator by Nomad manufacturing :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzUpcSoC5_w
That is very cool.
 
frito said:
That is very cool.

I thought so too.
Many features on this that I saw on their website like a hidden tool tray that was cool

http://www.nomadmfg.com/the-elevator/
 
I use car ramps to stand on. I tried the 3 step ladders and found them to be slightly unstable. the car ramps are just about the correct height and are a little more stable for me, also if you place the two side by side it gives you a little more foot room than a ladder.
 
Been wanting to get one of these, but haven't got around to it yet.  May go ahead and get one since you reminded me..lol...hopefully will fit in the side box when not using.

http://www.amazon.com/Heininger-4040-HitchMate-TireStep/dp/B0002Z9KE0/ref=cm_wl_huc_item
 
Am I the only one that doesnt use anything? I never have stood on anything to reach for something under the hood. Now however that was with my stock bumper. Now that I have the one I built that sticks out more and is all steel, I can use it to kneel on if I need to
 
Personally, I stand on my feet when working on my truck. Sorry, I couldn't resist!  >:D

I am 5'11" and don't use anything when working in the engine compartment. I move side-to-side and am able to reach most anything I need to. It might be a different story if I was doing lengthy maintenance or installation procedures.
 
I'm 6'3" and have often found getting a little more elevation to be helpful.

Maybe I've just spent more time under the hood of my truck...

Try installing the small bolt that secures the oil pump pickup tube without laying on the radiator support...
 
GoNavy429 said:
Been wanting to get one of these, but haven't got around to it yet.  May go ahead and get one since you reminded me..lol...hopefully will fit in the side box when not using.

http://www.amazon.com/Heininger-4040-HitchMate-TireStep/dp/B0002Z9KE0/ref=cm_wl_huc_item
I had one of those in my last work truck to get into the bed easier. Things work pretty damn good. (y)  Now I've got a roller skate for a truck and need a knee cushion to get stuff out of it. :rolleyes:
 
Let me know how that works... My main concern with them is I don't want to buy it and have it sit on the rim instead of the tire... :rolleyes:
 
I am 6'3" and I haven't had much of an issue but when I did the intake gasket the rear bolts were hard to reach with my feet on the ground. Tried a kitchen step ladder but was unstable. I ended up just climbing into the engine compartment to get leverage. But didn't seem like the best idea since I am also not a small guy.

Rodney
 
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