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Topside creepers

signcrafter

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May 9, 2012
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12,321
Looking into a topside creeper. Have a few trucks I work on and our f250 that is a pain to work on the top of the engine and I'm only getting older. So started looking into a topside creeper to hopefully help with working on these things. Anyone have one of these? I've never used one before so don't have a clue if they actually work good or not? Is one brand better then another? Would it be worth it to build one myself? I have time and can get metal at a halfway decent price. Haven't looked into it but metal adds up fast so might just be better to pay the 200-250 price tag for one ready to go.
 
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leakydiff

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Jun 27, 2017
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Location
New zealand
How about a tire step similar to this? Work from either sidec1924fb087f9d81dc95c8aa1a22bd8c3.jpg

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mishkaya

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Jul 7, 2009
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196
Location
Iowa
I have had mine for over 15 years now. While it doesn't see much use any more as I no longer drive a pickup, I find it to be worth every penny I paid for it back then. I had a 4x4 3/4 ton truck, and as far as I am concerned, it was the only way to go. It allowed me to work for extended periods in the engine bay both safely and comfortably.
I won't list my model as it is no longer available; but yes, I think that they are extremely useful tools.
 
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signcrafter

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I have had mine for over 15 years now. While it doesn't see much use any more as I no longer drive a pickup, I find it to be worth every penny I paid for it back then. I had a 4x4 3/4 ton truck, and as far as I am concerned, it was the only way to go. It allowed me to work for extended periods in the engine bay both safely and comfortably.
I won't list my model as it is no longer available; but yes, I think that they are extremely useful tools.

Thanks, that's all I needed to hear to make the call to get one. Now to just pick which one. Any particular features that set one apart from another?
 

White 99

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Jul 5, 2009
Messages
285
Location
Northern CA
I have one and when you need it, it is worth it. Mine sits unused a lot and takes up space. One that folds up smaller when not used may be a worthwhile option.
 

nelstomlinson

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Joined
Jul 27, 2009
Messages
649
Location
Interior Alaska
I have the tire step. Because it's not enough, I built a 18" high saw horse with a 2x12 top to stretch across the front of the pickup. Give us a link to a decent topside creeper?
 

gdocktor3

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Joined
Apr 18, 2015
Messages
5,419
Location
Connecticut
I borrowed one from a relative one time to do a big job on my 7.3 F250. He literally had to show up at my house and take it without me knowing because I didn't want to give it back. They're invaluable. I've tried the tire step, milk crates, plastic step stools, folding aluminum platforms, etc, etc. Nothing compares to topside a creeper.
 

jelk151

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Joined
Aug 14, 2015
Messages
54
Location
North Central WV
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00QGXSODA/ref=mp_s_a_1_1

Thisis the one I have for working on our super dutys. It was $100 cheaper about a year ago on Amazon so maybe you can find it cheaper. It says that it'll hold 400lbs and i believe it, I had one guy on it thats right at 300 and it didn't budge it at all. If it breaks tomorrow, I'd have another one with 2 day shipping. I won't lay on an engine again.

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Richard Cranium

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Apr 22, 2011
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central Washington
thanks for posting and adding the link, I have thought about these for years due to a back injury. This maybe the ticket, plus the price is not as bad as I thought they would be. Thanks again. Rich
 

LXCam

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Joined
Apr 23, 2013
Messages
19,093
Location
AZ

Maybe I missed it but the only issue I see with this one is the fixed height. That would kill it for me. But I like everything else about it.

How about a tire step similar to this? Work from either sidec1924fb087f9d81dc95c8aa1a22bd8c3.jpg

Sent from my SM-J200Y using Tapatalk

These are very handy. I have two rides that swing 37.5" tall shoes so I just slapped my own together. I also made a platform that runs the entire width of a truck and this one locks into the frame. Both are crude and one of these days I should probably detail them and paint, but they've served their intended purpose just fine as is.

IMG_1626.jpg
 

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jelk151

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Aug 14, 2015
Messages
54
Location
North Central WV
Maybe I missed it but the only issue I see with this one is the fixed height. That would kill it for me. But I like everything else about it.



These are very handy. I have two rides that swing 37.5" tall shoes so I just slapped my own together. I also made a platform that runs the entire width of a truck and this one locks into the frame. Both are crude and one of these days I should probably detail them and paint, but they've served their intended purpose just fine as is.

IMG_1626.jpg
It's not fixed height, it'll adjust to several positions

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Strouty

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Mar 21, 2010
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Location
Southern Maine
LX, it does have adjustment up and down. I think the price is ridiculous, but making one like it would be nice.

I too SLOOOOW
 

LXCam

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It's not fixed height, it'll adjust to several positions

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LX, it does have adjustment up and down. I think the price is ridiculous, but making one like it would be nice.

I too SLOOOOW


Copy that. I admit I was confused how such a nice design wouldn't allow for that. I'll have to rewatch the vid. Thanks for the clarification.
 
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Strouty

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Southern Maine
I don't think it is even addressed in the video. If you look at the pictures, you can see the holes to adjust the height.

The best way would be to use a long ram and have hydraulic controls for height adjustment.
 

LXCam

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19,093
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AZ
I don't think it is even addressed in the video. If you look at the pictures, you can see the holes to adjust the height.

The best way would be to use a long ram and have hydraulic controls for height adjustment.


****, 99% of my surfing here is on my phone. These old eyes ain't about to catch a detail like that unless I'm looking for it. Now why in hell wouldn't they focus on something so important. When they said "elevator" I had visions of being in the prone position and being able to adjust my height by either a hand pump or at least a release to lower it. Maybe I'll take my straight up n down manlift and repurpose that damn thing. It's heavy enough I could make a platform to extend off the (duh) platform and make a flexible pendent. But then I'd have to find a parking space in the shop for that damn thing.
 
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signcrafter

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May 9, 2012
Messages
12,321
How about a tire step similar to this? Work from either sidec1924fb087f9d81dc95c8aa1a22bd8c3.jpg

Sent from my SM-J200Y using Tapatalk

I wouldn't want this for a few reasons. First you would be laying on the fender the whole time so the chance to dent it or scratch it would be pretty high. Also it doesn't really solve the issue of having to lay on the truck and not sure how far you would be able to reach to the middle of the engine. Also it's nice to work from the front for a lot of things and less getting up and down which as I get older is a huge plus.

Anybody know what the difference is between these two on amazon besides 100 bucks?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QGXSODA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002Y090BY/?tag=atomicindus08-20
 

Strouty

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Mar 21, 2010
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Southern Maine
Looks to me like it is just the $100

I paid $160 for mine through amazon, had to wait like 3 weeks for it. Not sure I would pay anymore than $200.
 
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signcrafter

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May 9, 2012
Messages
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Ya - it looks like it jumped $100 in the last couple of weeks for some reason

What are you using to see these price changes? I've seen screenshots like these a couple times this week, maybe all from you. But never seen it before and looks very handy to check prices.
 

Provincial

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Sep 21, 2011
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Near Salem, OR
The expensive one is sold by Amazon and the less expensive one is sold by Tooldom Tools. Both have free shipping. The items have the same base part number and dimensions are identical.

Looks like a price markup difference to me.
 

fordnut85

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 6, 2012
Messages
231
Looking into a topside creeper. Have a few trucks I work on and our f250 that is a pain to work on the top of the engine and I'm only getting older. So started looking into a topside creeper to hopefully help with working on these things. Anyone have one of these? I've never used one before so don't have a clue if they actually work good or not? Is one brand better then another? Would it be worth it to build one myself? I have time and can get metal at a halfway decent price. Haven't looked into it but metal adds up fast so might just be better to pay the 200-250 price tag for one ready to go.
They are worth their weight in gold on full size trucks. I have the newer topside brand one and I like it other than when working on trucks with aftermarket bumpers or brush gaurds the pad isn't long enough and you tend to put all your weight on your gut. I made a simple extension for mine using a pad off an old creaper and it works great

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Git

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May 18, 2008
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S Cal

Close

It's actually called "Keepa". If you use Chrome for your web browser - here is the link:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/...tracke/neebplgakaahbhdphmkckjjcegoiijjo?hl=en

CamelCamelCamel - also has an extension called the Camelizer
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/the-camelizer/ghnomdcacenbmilgjigehppbamfndblo?hl=en

I use both - but "Keepa" displays the pricing history right on the Amazon Page your looking at

Another advantage of these 'extensions' is if you are interested in something, you can easily set it up to track the price. For example, if the price goes below a certain number, it will email you
 

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Strouty

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It's actually called "Keepa". If you use Chrome for your web browser - here is the link:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/...tracke/neebplgakaahbhdphmkckjjcegoiijjo?hl=en


I use both - but "Keepa" displays the pricing history right on the Amazon Page your looking at

Another advantage of these 'extensions' is if you are interested in something, you can easily set it up to track the price. For example, if the price goes below a certain number, it will email you

Sweet, I love it when I learn something, especially when it is useful. :thumbup:

I guess I need to start using chrome, between that and the photobucket extension I have been reading about, Safari is getting kind of tired.
 

Strouty

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Mar 21, 2010
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Location
Southern Maine
LX, I may be wrong, it looks like that expensive unit doesn't adjust in height. I guess at $1200 they just couldn't make it work. :wtf:
 
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signcrafter

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Joined
May 9, 2012
Messages
12,321
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It's actually called "Keepa". If you use Chrome for your web browser - here is the link:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/...tracke/neebplgakaahbhdphmkckjjcegoiijjo?hl=en

CamelCamelCamel - also has an extension called the Camelizer
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/the-camelizer/ghnomdcacenbmilgjigehppbamfndblo?hl=en

I use both - but "Keepa" displays the pricing history right on the Amazon Page your looking at

Another advantage of these 'extensions' is if you are interested in something, you can easily set it up to track the price. For example, if the price goes below a certain number, it will email you

I just installed the keepa extension. So do you have to search everything from the extension? When I search on amazon it doesn't show any keepa stuff until I open the extension and search through the extension.
 

Git

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May 18, 2008
Messages
6,894
Location
S Cal
It has been a while since I installed it. When you're on an Amazon web page, the price history graph should load somewhere underneath the main item pic automatically.

You may have to restart your browser. Also, make sure it is enabled. In Chrome click on the 3 dots in the upper right, then MORE TOOLS, then EXTENSIONS

Also, you should see a little circle with a plus inside of it - in the upper right of the browser. If you right-click on it, there will be some options you can set
 
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