How high off the frame does the bed need to be to get the truck out? I am assuming higher than the tires.

 

has to clear the tires and then just pull it off

 

Three people can handle the weight, but how high, how high is your truck frame/tires.
You need to lift it high enough to clear the tires and frame, dependent on the truck and the lift.
Disconnect the rear lighting harness and the gas filler, pick it up and walk away with it, don't try to drive out from under the bed with people holding it; toes get in the way !
Only problem, depending on the year will be the bolts, every Ranger I've had except my low milage EDGE gave me trouble with the mounting bolts, they rusted under the bed and gave me a problem every time. I finally got smarter and sprayed the underside of the bolts with PB Blaster every couple of days until I took the bed off, Wham-Bam bolts came out after a slight tug.

Might be a good idea to replace the bolts and the Clip Nuts !

 

Thanks thats what I figured, I just have to remember the wiring. I have an engine hoist I used to move my old F250 bed around, I also used it to do the rear spring hangers on my F250. Was great lifted the back of the truck high enough to do the hangers, so I am thinking it will work as long as I have the reach.

 

As long as you have the reach with the engine lift, that's great !

 

Ya I figure doing things out myself, everyone knows friends, we are there for them but when asked, uh too busy or not available.

 

The mud flaps on mine got seriously in the way, catching on the rear bumper.
If I had to do it again, I would remove the mud flaps.

 

Kown where you are coming from !

My wife always asks where my friends are when I am doing a project. You just get tired of asking !

Good Luck on the swap, check the Frame for cracks !

 

I just got done putting the bed back on my truck today. Engine hoist works fine, I too have to do things on my own, I moved out of the city and don’t have many people able to swing by. I have to do everything on my own too. Make sure you rig it up to the engine hoist good! I used two good ratchet straps and then slinged then together, worked perfect. I also hung the bed vertical when it was off that way I could paint it up. Good luck

 

Sounds like you got it done, that's all that matters.

IF I ever have to remove the bed again, I will remember the engine hoist idea.

My next job, alone is removing a 5.0L-W Ford from an '82 Jeep, with NV4500/AtlasII attached.
Heavy on the tail end, engine hoist tends to twist a little but this time I will just lift the motor/trans and T/C, then push the Jeep back.

Hardest part is moving the Jeep in the Barn on the front of my Tractor... without damaging it, but as you know... it will get done !

Hope the project turned out OK.

Ltr

 

My father (60) and I (34) took the 7ft bed off my 96 Ranger today. He had some trouble lifting high enough and I pulled something, but we did it without too much effort. 2 should be OK for 6ft, 3 people would be ideal for a 7ft.

We set it in the grass and I flipped it forward (cab side) to lay it upside down on sawhorses.

 

I am going to build saw horses for under it, built them for a full size bed, worked good, also thats one reason to take it off, as far as I can see, no cracks, just the bottom of frame near gas tank and rear horn by the rear spring hanger needs to be patched, and to coat the underside of the bed. I will take the flaps off too.

 

I set mine on them upside down so I could inspect the underside.

 

The spring hangers on Rangers always rot out, best plan is to replace both of the rear hangers and at the same time.

Once you have spring hangers off, grind off the excess rust and check for cracks and rust through.

You said you have cracks near the gas tank area ?
Consider cleaning up the frame a little better in that area and check it out better, a closer look, better to do it with the frame off.

 

If I can flip the bed without causing a major wreck I will, spring hangers I am already a pro, done many, I also I am fortunate the guy before me replaced the hangers, shackles and even the springs, I am going to replace all main rusted parts, if not avail, I will fabricate them. I already made one for the ebrake cable. It has a plastic fuel tank hoping the ring on the tank is not rusted.

 

My 96 has a plastic tank and a plastic screw on ring... It was just hand tight

 

I know some plastic tanks have metal rings on the tank that rot.