Fiero hoist points (Page 1/1)
saving_rossi JAN 29, 01:02 AM
The crade is dropped, fully disconnected from fiero. I currently have a chain wrapped around the piece of metal connecting the rear frame rails, and I’m considering using tow straps instead. I don’t trust the piece of metal much.

Should I trust this arrangement? If not, how should I arrange tow straps?
Patrick JAN 29, 02:03 AM

This isn't my photo/Fiero, but this is how I've supported my Fiero(s) a couple of times when dropping the cradle/replacing the clutch.
saving_rossi JAN 29, 06:12 AM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:


This isn't my photo/Fiero, but this is how I've supported my Fiero(s) a couple of times when dropping the cradle/replacing the clutch.





Guess I’ll start pulling the trunk skin then. Did the hoist legs interfere with the cradle/dolly at all?

fieroguru JAN 29, 06:54 AM
I use the same lift points in the strut tower crossbar to raise and lower my fiero. You can extend the legs of the cherry picker and set the cradle on them. Remove the bolts, then raise the body up, install jack stands, and then roll the cherry picker and drivetrain out from under the Fiero. No need for a separate cradle dolly with this process.

saving_rossi JAN 29, 07:33 AM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:


This isn't my photo/Fiero, but this is how I've supported my Fiero(s) a couple of times when dropping the cradle/replacing the clutch.





Guess I’ll start pulling the trunk skin then. Did the hoist legs interfere with the cradle/dolly at all?

82-T/A [At Work] JAN 29, 09:18 AM
Hi, I highly recommend doing it the way my daughter removed her subframe. She removed the rear bumper, and wrapped heavy-duty tow-straps around the rear steel bumper. It allows you to have the hoist much further back, and gives you significantly more clearance for the subframe... see this video:




I made a subframe dolly for her, which I wish I'd had before... but it's simple using 4x4s... you can see that in this video:

[This message has been edited by 82-T/A [At Work] (edited 01-29-2025).]

cvxjet JAN 29, 11:56 AM
I used a high-strength cargo strap wrapped around/under the trunk to lift my Fiero....
saving_rossi JAN 29, 03:14 PM

quote
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]:

Hi, I highly recommend doing it the way my daughter removed her subframe. She removed the rear bumper, and wrapped heavy-duty tow-straps around the rear steel bumper.



I’ve actually been watching this video to help drop the cradle! What a small community. I saw the part with the tow straps and I wasn’t sure exactly how she arranged them, I could just wrap them round it however but it seemed like she did it a specific way.
82-T/A [At Work] JAN 29, 03:59 PM

quote
Originally posted by saving_rossi:

I’ve actually been watching this video to help drop the cradle! What a small community. I saw the part with the tow straps and I wasn’t sure exactly how she arranged them, I could just wrap them round it however but it seemed like she did it a specific way.




She did it just to "take up the slack" and limit the distance that was needed from the hoist to the bumper. But really, she could have just used one, wrapped it along the bottom and up through the sides (frame extensions where the bumper bolts to), and then hook it in there. But really... it all depends on what straps you get and how long they are. Ideal situation is to put the hoist hook as close to the bumper as possible so you have more room (less height) for the hoist as you raise the car up. But yeah, it worked well, and felt it was pretty safe, and the least damaging to any of the other parts of the car.
Raydar FEB 08, 12:57 PM
It may not be practical in some cases, but I had someone build me an A-frame - aka "the swingset from hell".
I bought a hoist from Harbor Freight, and use a chain through the trunk beam, as others have done.
It can lift the rear of the car high enough that I had to put the front on ramps, to keep from crushing my front bumper cover.

The cradle was unbolted while the rear of the car was resting on a furniture dolly. Once the car was raised, there was enough room to roll the dolly and engine straight out the back.





Edit - The cherry picker will also work fine, but I was doing this a lot, at the time.
I reasoned that safety was paramount, and the A-frame was cheaper than the deductible for even one ER trip, if I had a car to fall.

BTW... DON'T use the trunk latch to lift. I've seen it done, and it's dumb.

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 02-08-2025).]