Lifting a GT (it's not what you think)

[Red0ktober]

I'm pulling an abandoned GT from an industrial yard, and the easiest way to get it out is to hoist it straight up and over the fence and on to a trailer with the big boom truck we have at work. So what's the least damaging way to do that?

I'd rather not damage it too much in case it has some good parts for you guys (I just need the engine). It's in pretty sorry shape, been missing windows and been in the weather for 20 years.

[BQS4]

What are you going to use to "wrap" around the car? Chain, or nylon strap? With the straps, I'd loop it just in front of the front tires, and just in back of the back tires.

[wrench459]

Humm what's wrong with the flatbed beside the GT?

[hrcollinsjr]

What are you going to use to "wrap" around the car? Chain, or nylon strap? With the straps, I'd loop it just in front of the front tires, and just in back of the back tires.

Hate to disagree with Gene but.... I'd take a couple of 2x6's that are just a little longer than the car is wide to keep the straps from crunching the body (if that's important) and I'd lift at the jacking points just behind the front wheels and just ahead of the rear wheels. JM2CW

Harold

P.S. I'm assuming your using lifting straps of some sort.

[Red0ktober]

I'll talk to the guy that runs the boom truck tomorrow and see what we've got on hand. Just got the go-ahead from the property owner today.

[Red0ktober]

I was thinking of sliding some 4x4s underneath. Wasn't sure where the jack points are on these, but that's a pretty standard location.

I do have some snow tires from an old car, may be swap those on and move enough stuff out from in front of the car to roll it out and make the lifting point moot.

[rocknroll]

i would just open the fence gate

[Red0ktober]

That would not be nearly as dramatic. And there is stuff in in the way. And the tires are rotted off (though I think my extra snow tires will fit). And I always wanted to pick a car up with that boom truck.

[thescifiguy]

Yeah, I would just disconnect the fence a little and pull it out. You might only need to loosen the bottom straps at a few of the poles and slip it through "underneath" the fence.

But don't let me stand in the way of fun. Plus, if you drop it there'll be even more fun to be had!!

PHOTOS!!!

[yellaopelgt]

Use the picker over the top of the fence and just yank the motor out.........

[hrcollinsjr]

... if you drop it there'll be even more fun to be had!!

PHOTOS!!!

Video!

Harold

[ggl]

From the pictures it wouldn't seem as if much of the body that could possibly be damaged by just wrapping the straps around it is worth saving, maybe the left door ....

[GoinManta]

I would just use a 4" sling and run it through the door windows and hook it from above the roof.. If a 4" wide sling can lift a 6,000 lb air handler, I think it can handle a 2,000 lb Opel GT. (BTW 4" wide 2 ply rated for 12,000 lbs vertical)

Nylon Lifting Sling - Twisted Eye & Eye - 4" x 10'

Simple, easy and quick..

The front may nose dive a little, so even if the doors or roof give a bit it doesnt look like much of the doors or roof is worth saving..

[hrcollinsjr]

I would just use a 4" sling and run it through the door windows and hook it from above the roof..

The front may nose dive a little, so even if the doors or roof give a bit it doesnt look like much of the doors or roof is worth saving..

If the chrome trim around the windows is in good shape, I'd try to keep it that way.

Harold

[Red0ktober]

So are you calling dibs on the chrome trim around the windows then?

[hrcollinsjr]

So are you calling dibs on the chrome trim around the windows then?

I could always use good window chrome as it seems to either be bent or hit with a sander during a repaint.

Sure I'd like to have it and I can assure you, there are a few others who could use it as well. I just don't like to see anything good get messed up that someone can use. I picked up a rotten Manta recently with a bale spear and even though I didn't touch the chrome trim, the roof deformed enough to ruin the trim on one side.

Harold

[GoinManta]

He could simply remove the trim before lifting (if its there and if its in good shape)

[hrcollinsjr]

He could simply remove the trim before lifting (if its there and if its in good shape)

Or run the lifting strap through the door openings and someone (here's where you come in Charles) could sit in the car and hold the doors to keep them from swinging open.

Harold

[Red0ktober]

So, I got it home. No lifting required. They moved some stuff and there was a little gap to tow the car out.

One rear wheel was seized up, but we only had about mile to go so we kept [mostly] rolling. Tire eventually blew, and ironically, that broke the wheel loose. So the tire was flat, but rotating.

I may have to put a bug-bomb in there if I want to keep the car for something. It's gross inside. On the plus side, the engine is complete and it has a weber carb! I'm going to see if the engine turns and possibly try to get it started this weekend.

Couldn't defeat the hood release, so we just peeled it (the car is yellow like a banana after all).

[Red0ktober]

Threw some jumper cables on it and stuck a screwdriver into the starter and it turned over. Good sign I think. Just have to hotwire it and put some fuel down the carb and see what we get...