Mobile Field Lift, Cargo Bed, Spare Tire
OK, was finally able to test fire this Mobile Field Lift Project. It's a pretty simple, yet very effective in what it does.
My quest started after I got my super singles mounted on my truck. As many of you M939 owners know, unless you buy an M939A1/A2, the pre-existing spare tire tack isn't going to work with super singles. The A1/A2 configuration have a wider tire rack, robust lifting assy, and the bed actually sits farther rearward to accomodate the width of a super singe. The A0 spare tire rack is too narrow. Many of us have to use the bed to store our spares.
Now my main issue wasn't getting the spare tire out of the bed should I have a flat. My issue was not being able to get my $100 FMTV wheel and flat tire back into the bed.
Why not go with a more permanent or mounted crane? Because I wanted something I could use from truck to truck.
So I just took a stroll down to my local Home Depot and found an appropriate length pipe and fittings. You will also need the spare tire chain fall already in your tool box (hope you have one), and a cargo cinching strap. You can also have an optional piece of 2x6 for the assy to sit on so it doesn't sink into the mud.
Today I loaded to spare tires into the back of the truck. My only issue was preventing the chain to slap against my newly painted tailgate...LOL.
I'll let the pics do the explaining. Total project cost...$50
Projects Completed:
-Two spare tires are now in the bed of the truck
Pics:
1-Parts acquired from Home Depot. The pole, the platform piece, and a threaded adapter. The threaded adapter does nothing more than provide strenth to the strain the chain fall would create. Should the chain fall stress the mounting metal too much and crack. All I have to do is unscrew the adapter and put another one on. Rather than cutting the pole or replacing it.
2-Pole label. Purchased at Home Depot for $34.
3-Pole in position with chain fall installed and ready to go
4-Chain fall just connected to the top
5-Board for those muddy ground apps
6-Cargo cinching strap used to hold pole in place. Strap is awesome to allow you to pivot the pole should the truck or ground is uneven. Need to have the pole as vertical as you can. You don't want to place too much stress on the pole.
7-Lift in action
8-Once tire is even with the bed deck just pivot the tire around the pole and loosen the chain fall. Loosen the chainfall as you pull the tire into the bed.
9-As you can see the pole is not bending with the weight of the tire.
****DO NOT STAND IN THE TIRES PATH SHOULD A COMPONENT FAIL*****