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One man shell removal

Discussion in 'Tonneau Covers, Caps and Shells' started by HOTDAM, Jan 17, 2018.

  1. Jan 17, 2018 at 7:57 PM
    #1
    HOTDAM

    HOTDAM [OP] Feeling Dangerous

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    looking at getting a shell but want to be able to remove it from time to time when needed and try and do it on my own. Anyone have any rig set up that allows them to do this? Or am I asking for too much.
     
  2. Jan 17, 2018 at 8:07 PM
    #2
    tundraj

    tundraj New Member

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    Last edited: Jan 17, 2018
  3. Feb 1, 2018 at 11:37 PM
    #3
    Tundra1078

    Tundra1078 New Member

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  4. Feb 2, 2018 at 4:47 AM
    #4
    SOB

    SOB Big Member

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    I did something similar but used a hand-winch from Harbor Freight. Mounted it to the wall, with the wire up the wall to a pulley then to another pulley on the ceiling above the shell. Removed the handle and used a cordless drill. Worked pretty good - was only about $75 in total parts. To do it again I would have upgraded to an electric winch w/ remote and mounted in the attic above the garage.
     
    NewImprovedRon and Tundra1078 like this.
  5. Feb 2, 2018 at 4:54 AM
    #5
    Tundra1078

    Tundra1078 New Member

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  6. Feb 2, 2018 at 10:33 AM
    #6
    SOB

    SOB Big Member

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    Unfortunately I cannot - I had a shell on my Tacoma which I sold a year ago for the Tundra. I do not have a shell on the Tundra so I removed the lifting assembly.

    It was pretty basic, hopefully you can get the idea from this description - Winch on garage wall, winch wire straight up the wall to the ceiling, through a pulley at corner of wall/ceiling, then to another pulley on the garage ceiling where the shell will be lifted to. The hook at the end winch wire would be lower the the shell. I would un-mount the shell from the bed and put in 2x4s with eyelets in them (just like they used from link in post #2). The winch hook would clip into 4 separate wires that would hook onto each of the eyelet in the 2x4. I also drilled holes thru the shell plate (where the shell lays on the bed) so that I could attached the shell to the 2x4s to keep it from sliding around. I screwed 5foot lengths of metal U-channel into the rafter studs then attached the pulleys to the U-channel to distribute the weight.

    One flaw I had - when lifting from 1 central point it was tough to get the shell to be lifted evenly and not lean to one corner or the other.
     
  7. Feb 2, 2018 at 10:41 AM
    #7
    SOB

    SOB Big Member

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    Scoured my backup hard drive and found these pics! Note the red clamp on the second pic - I later drilled holes to attached shell to the 2x4s at each corner. Like I said earlier, to do it again I would put an electric winch up in the attic so I could lose all the connectors. Prob could get the shell almost a foot closer to the ceiling that way. As it sits in the pic I could walk under it just fine and I'm 6 feet tall.

    IMG_1878.jpg IMG_2058.jpg
     
    CJ21, nk1794, Patriot and 6 others like this.
  8. Feb 2, 2018 at 12:40 PM
    #8
    csuviper

    csuviper Moderator Staff Member

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    Some Mods :) See build thread for details
    Awesome DIY.
     
  9. Feb 5, 2018 at 5:43 AM
    #9
    SOB

    SOB Big Member

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    Thanks. I scratched the paint pretty bad one year trying to take it off all by myself and after that knew I had to come up with an alternative.
     
  10. Feb 5, 2018 at 7:53 AM
    #10
    monaco730

    monaco730 New Member

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  11. Feb 5, 2018 at 7:11 PM
    #11
    Tundra1078

    Tundra1078 New Member

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    I would suggest putting some 3m clear bra 2” around the top area. First time taking it off and I got it scratched as well. Cars currently in the body shop for some other repair but as soon as I get it back I’m putting the strip around the area. I currently have it on the back so the back door doesn’T scratch the surface.
     
  12. Feb 5, 2018 at 7:13 PM
    #12
    Tundra1078

    Tundra1078 New Member

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  13. Feb 6, 2018 at 9:05 AM
    #13
    cu52

    cu52 New Member

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    I installed the Racor heavy lift. It was perfect for a tacoma out of the box. I had to extend the pullys out to work for my 09 tundra.
    https://www.homedepot.com/p/Racor-2...mqOTIRgQG7gGuRUMsuhy9KdR7wX53BjhoCtd0QAvD_BwE

    Will get an image of it extended later. Bought a set of additional pulleys from Ace hardware and connected them with Eye bolts to the 2x6. Connected the hoist mechanism to a drill and it works GREAT!

    IMAG0688.jpg
     
    CJ21 and tundraj like this.
  14. Feb 6, 2018 at 9:16 AM
    #14
    rustynail11

    rustynail11 New Member

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    monaco730[QUOTED] likes this.
  15. Feb 10, 2018 at 7:21 PM
    #15
    MotoTundra

    MotoTundra The Ocho

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    -TRS Mini D2S Retrofit on TRD Pro Headlights (Apollo 2.0 Shrouds, 35w XB Ballasts, 5500k Bulbs) -Baja Designs Squadron R Sport Aux lights. -TRD Pro Grill -TRD Rear Sway Bar -BakFlip VP Tonneau w/BakBox -Dipped wheels & bumpers -Iron Cross HD steps -Undercover Swingcase -SunTek Paint Protection film -Tinted glass -Bedmat -OEM Towing Mirrors
    That's slick!
     
  16. Feb 11, 2018 at 8:26 AM
    #16
    SOB

    SOB Big Member

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    Thanks!
     
  17. Feb 11, 2018 at 8:33 AM
    #17
    HOTDAM

    HOTDAM [OP] Feeling Dangerous

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    Awesome ideas. Now to find the cap and try one of these.
     

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