Guys, thank you for taking time to post. I started a similar thread in one of the Mustang Forums, and got nothing back, just views. Encouraged by you all, here's some background. I am 75, and the days when I routinely yanked an FX or FMX transmission out lying on my back, lowered it onto my chest, then slid it off sideways onto the floor, are behind me. The need to keep working is not, though. Starting during my mid-teens, the hot home-builds were big-block Ford, 352, 390, dropped into '55 Merc, '56 Ford, etc. I had to learn most of the skilled trades by doing them. Plenty of mistakes along the way (old farts like to tell stories, if you will bear with me). Bought Sears Differential Chain Hoist, cut down 2 Maple trees, which formed the support for raising engines, then roll the car out of the garage. It was a way of life. Bought tools as needed, tanks and torches, 220-volt "buzzbox", still have it, still works. My Merc. had a Dana 44 in it originally, welded spider gears to differential case. Later went to 9-inch. That car wound up with a 430 Lincoln MEL in it, which later found it's way into a brand-new '64 Falcon, then a '63 later, T-10s both, 9-inch, both.
So, the "need" is still there, the rocking chair beckons, but damned if I'll give in, 'cause then I'll die. Thus the need for a lift. Driving now a 2004 Ex. 4.0 SOHC w/5R55S. Lately, it's sort of shuddered a bit in 5th. gear, loosened and re-torqued Overdrive Band, backed off only 1-1/2 turns instead of 2 (shop manual says 2 for cars, 1-1/2 for trucks). No shudder, but borrowed time, no doubt. Truck runs better than could be asked for. Transmission time, soon. Need a lift!
@boominXplorer with 1200 sq. ft., wish I had as much; my "shop" is an oversized garage, 24 X 32, what, 800 sq. ft.? I have my trusty lathe, Bridgeport Milling Machine with all the goodies, arc, MIG, gas welding rigs, 12" horizontal band saw, 20 ton axle press, bench grinder, big heavy-duty Cherry-picker, numerous jack stands, but NO LIFT!
First chore was to get head-room. Roof trusses bottom chord are 96" above floor line. I added 2X8 Doug Fir rafters "shot" to the truss's top chords, added a 2X8 Joist at 116" above floor, cut off the bottoms of four 2-foot O. C. trusses, and added a 5-foot triangular web up at the top, gaining an overhead "hole" 10 feet by 12 feet, into which the roof of most cars can be raised. Explorer, no, only a bit over 4-foot lift; I'll improvise on that. I'm 5'-6", so don't need BIG headroom. Here's a few pics:
'94 Mustang GT roofline 54", will fit in the "hole" nicely. The trusses in background indicate what has been removed, the new rafters and joists visible. I went ahead with this amidst dire predictions from members; the roofline "sagged" an immeasurable amount.
Another view of the joists, which are the upper height limit at 116", just under 10 feet.
The lathe I got at 15, still holds to very close tolerances.
Bridgeport Mill, cherry picker, band saw, peeking out from behind the roll-around a Motorsports brand-new 5.0 HO! I have more for later, if I haven't worn out my welcome! imp
