Hi Everyone,

A friend just dropped off my casters (rated at 500lbs each wheel ! ..... perhaps a bit overkill but really nice wheels...). I'm getting ready to make a dolly from 4x4's to use when I remove the engine and cradle. I've seen a few pics on the site but I was wondering if someone could post pics of their "setup" or provide me with some "ideal" measurements before I start building.

Thanks

Based on a couple posts I found on this site, I went with the Harbor Freight furniture Dolly and it worked perfectly. For $14 you can't beat it and it's rated at 1000 lbs. Using 4x4s would be overkill and you'll have to raise the car even higher to get the engine out.

I used 2x4's and castors worked good. I lined up two 2x4's with the bottom of the cradle and then I screwed two more crossways to form a rectangle then screw the castors to the underside of that set up and you are ready to roll. Dont put too much thought into it, it's not that difficult.

Made mine from steel:

JazzMan

JazzMan,

Now that's a Dolly ! (nice and sturdy just incase you have to move the entire garage with the fiero in it!)

I thought using 4x4's was a bit overkill but I really like it.

Could you give me a rough measurement of the distance between the four sides?

Thanks

Might also help to put a small plate on each side to hold the spindles up from dragging on the ground.

I don't have it handy anymore, it's packed away with all the rest of the stuff I took when I closed my shop. I just lined the tubes under the main cradle members and the angles the length needed to set the tubes at the right distance. If you have a pre-88 it might need some extra blocking because the '88's cradle is nice and flat on the bottom.

One note, make sure your casters can swivel all the way around without hitting anything.

JazzMan

I used 200# ? casters from Walmart and some 2x6s I had laying around. I made the dolly high enough so the wheels of my engine crane can go underneath it.

Quite simple, here is a pic

quote Originally posted by 3084me: JazzMan, Now that's a Dolly ! (nice and sturdy just incase you have to move the entire garage with the fiero in it!)

My thoughts exactly That thing rocks!! I wouldn't mind building 4 smaller versions with locking wheels as under tire dollies. Would be nice to be able to move the entire car around the garage a few feet for more access during certain jobs.

Crzyone.....what are the dimensions for this one. I was gonna head over to Harbor Freight, but I may just have enough lumber laying around and I know I have the casters.

[This message has been edited by Frizlefrak (edited 12-13-2005).]

being able to get a jack under the dolly is a good thing.

heh...the one I use is simply made up of some 200 lb castors and a 3/4" sheet of plywood - so far no problems, and the motor has been in and out of the car more times than I care to count

Tim

Crzyone thanks for the idea. I'll make me one tomorrow. Great idea about making it high enough to get the crane or jack under. + 4 u.

edit: Do you have any more shop helping ideas (for DIY'ers) that we haven't seen?

[This message has been edited by Fiero1Fan (edited 12-13-2005).]

quote Originally posted by Pyrthian: being able to get a jack under the dolly is a good thing.

I agree, that really helps. A cheap trick is to use a shipping pallet, which are usually free for the taking in industrial areas. Try to get the one that has a 4x4 piece of hard wood on the corners. Then you bolt on some castors from Harbor Freight or where-ever and you got a low cost dolly.

i just put a plywood board accross the bottom of my engine stand after i took off the vertical beam, last time i did the same thing only accross the legs of an engine hoist