Tips for working on top/back of engine

[Hoosier Daddy]

With lift and bull bar, accessing the top and back of the engine (for, say, a valley coolant leak repair) seems like it would be difficult for those us under 8 ft tall.

I've seen the topside creepers and those seem like great idea. I know there are several folks here who are happy with theirs.

Still, those do require some significant expense and storage space.

Are there other ideas or tips for this? Anyone tried placing 2x8s across the engine bay from fender ledge to fender ledge?

 

[Sandroad]

Somewhere I have a photo of me sitting in the engine bay of my 80 working on the head gasket job. Just climb on in

 

[CharlieS]

Somebody just posted a cool overhead creeper they used to do their valley plate leak - Topside Creeper LXT. According to the product page, it folds flat so it probably wouldn't take up that much space.

Not cheap, but it is now on my wish list.

Original Traxion Topside Creeper NXT

Topside Creeper allows Safe and productive access to engine compartment.

traxionproducts.com

I'm sure you could build or rig something up, but for me that $ would be better spent on buying a tool. I think of it as a trade off for money I don't need to spend at a shop.

A way I've done it before (doing Hewitt bypasses, for example) is laying on multiple layers of cardboard - it gets the job done, but those metal nubs that clip the cover on poke in uncomfortable ways.

 

[TeCKis300]

As much as the bullbar gets in the way, wonder if it doubles as a step/platform? Working on a tall rig definitely makes things harder. Sometimes much harder.

If I'm doing a job that requires working deep in the engine, I use a back brace. Maybe my age, but I find it really helps fatigue on longer jobs. And minimizes potential for back injury. Nothing worse than a stiff back days after working on the rig.

Having a stable stool really helps too. I use this one which could be had for half the price at Harbor Freight.
Amazon product ASIN B0141MMVI6
Won't help LC owners, but being able to drop the LX on demand, even just over 2" does wonders for reachability. Especially so with 35s as I'm average height.

 

[kcjaz]

 

[turbo8]

You can take the front tires off and lower it down on some jack stands.

 

[Dunbar]

Don't wait longer just order the top side creeper and you will not know how you ever did without one.

 

[82SC]

yup...foldable stool is part of my camping setup. just for that reason

 

[lx200inAR]

The topside creeper looks very similar to an engine hoist. Could you modify an engine hoist to be dual duty. Wouldn't be any cheaper, but at least you'd have a few other features.

 

[Dunbar]

Topside creeper is way lighter. I can pick it up and carry it. It folds up and really only has a footprint of 1.5'x4' max. It's easier to stash in the garage than you might think. And there is lots of crap in your garage you would be willing to throw out to make room for one if you knew how damn nice they are. At less than $250 shipped it's a no brainier. Unless you live in an apartment, then buy one to keep at your buddies place.

The topside creeper looks very similar to an engine hoist. Could you modify an engine hoist to be dual duty. Wouldn't be any cheaper, but at least you'd have a few other features.

r

 

[linuxgod]

As much as the bullbar gets in the way, wonder if it doubles as a step/platform? Working on a tall rig definitely makes things harder. Sometimes much harder.

If I'm doing a job that requires working deep in the engine, I use a back brace. Maybe my age, but I find it really helps fatigue on longer jobs. And minimizes potential for back injury. Nothing worse than a stiff back days after working on the rig.

Having a stable stool really helps too. I use this one which could be had for half the price at Harbor Freight.
Amazon product ASIN B0141MMVI6
Won't help LC owners, but being able to drop the LX on demand, even just over 2" does wonders for reachability. Especially so with 35s as I'm average height.

No it sucks. At least, if you have one with a hoop, that totally gets in your way trying to lean across.

If you had an ARB Safari without the hoop then yeah it might help, but anything with a hoop or any low profile option I don't think will be a plus

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Two years after starting this thread, I'm finally about ready to tackle a very slow coolant leak from the exchanger valley. However, I'm still poor and I still don't have a ton of space to store a topside creeper, so I've decided to get ... uhhh... creative.

Introducing the Topside Sleeper. It's like a Topside Creeper, but a little more "creep"-y and a lot less ambitious.

Twenty dollars at the Home Despot, plus an hour of leisurely garage piddling time, equals 8 square feet of pure unadulterated shadetree comfort. Weight is distributed evenly over six points (two each on bullbar, core support, and inner fenders). One can sit on it, or lie on it, or one can kneel on the bumper and let the torso rest on the platform like a conventional topside creeper. Plus, there's lots of room for tools. Luxurious carpet prevents marring delicate surfaces and lovingly cradles the contours of one's buttocks.

(Cup holder, massage function, and rich Corinthian leather version are in development.)

After the leak is fixed, the screws will come out and I'll be left with some nice pieces of scrap wood for another project.