Hydraulic bed crane

[tallskydiver]

Has anyone installed a bed crane in their lightning? Any issues or advice?

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[SpaceEVDriver]

Haven’t done this. Here’s some advice: Read the Lightning-specific sections of the Body Builders guidebook from Ford for your model year. Make sure you know where the “Do Not Drill” locations are. Make sure any bolts you use point up, not down toward the battery.

 

[RLXXI]

I have one I was going to mount in my other truck but decided not to.

Not going to put it in this truck either, might sell it cheap dunno yet.

If I were going to get something like that now, and I just might, it would be one of those hitch mounted versions with outrigger legs., similar to this, https://a.co/d/j3Cmqkz

 

[tallskydiver]

I have one I was going to mount in my other truck but decided not to.

Not going to put it in this truck either, might sell it cheap dunno yet.

If I were going to get something like that now, and I just might, it would be one of those hitch mounted versions with outrigger legs., similar to this, https://a.co/d/j3Cmqkz

Yeah I’m just going to build a 2x8 gantry, chain hoist to lift up this jointer, then pull forward and lower it to the ground lol. Thanks for the link, I’ve looked at those, but didn’t know I was buying this beast last night #lastminute

 

[ZSC100]

I want to see this, if I had a need I would do it. I also want to see a cherry picker type lift put in a Lightning. The thing would be stable AF, And the pro power could run the hydraulic unit.

 

[K6CCC]

I would be very careful to make sure you are mounting to something structurally sound. With the entire bed aluminum, I would not consider anything there as even good enough for a support piece.

 

[Zaptor]

I have one I was going to mount in my other truck but decided not to.

Not going to put it in this truck either, might sell it cheap dunno yet.

If I were going to get something like that now, and I just might, it would be one of those hitch mounted versions with outrigger legs., similar to this, https://a.co/d/j3Cmqkz

I have one of the hitch mounted ones, and it *works* but it's also difficult to swing larger items past the side of the bed from the center, at the hitch, than it would be if it were mounted on one side or the other. It's a decent solution and a very strong spot to work from, but only gives you a little over 2' of clearance from the crane to your taillights... If they made an offset version, that would be ideal but this is an okay-ish solution for some things... just FYI
Cheers
Zap

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I have a 1-ton gantry crane on casters. I’ve used it to install the Rough Country bed cap and to lower heavier items into the bed (before the cap was installed). There are benefits to an on-vehicle crane (such as portability to anywhere the truck can go), but there are also benefits to a separate gantry.

 

[RLXXI]

I have one of the hitch mounted ones, and it *works* but it's also difficult to swing larger items past the side of the bed from the center, at the hitch, than it would be if it were mounted on one side or the other. It's a decent solution and a very strong spot to work from, but only gives you a little over 2' of clearance from the crane to your taillights... If they made an offset version, that would be ideal but this is an okay-ish solution for some things... just FYI
Cheers
Zap

Perhaps one that mounts sideways would be better. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1CW7ZFS/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?pd_rd_i=B0F1CW7ZFS

 

[Ricks Lightning]

I would be very careful to make sure you are mounting to something structurally sound. With the entire bed aluminum, I would not consider anything there as even good enough for a support piece.

Exactly, you nailed it.
I've had 3 mounted in different vans and box trucks. But I wouldn't do 1 in the lightning as it's an aluminum bed and would need alot of structural support to the frame under the bed and ontop of the bed.

They also sell a very expensive number with crane built in. But you really need to have a need for it to spend that kind of money.

Rick

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