Which/How Big of a Porta-Power?

[hitech_hick]

Had a little mishap with the 'ol Cherokee, and unless I find a midget to chauffeur me around on the trails, I am going to have to bend my roof back (as well as straighten out a number of other body panels). I was wondering if the 4 ton Harbor Freight portapower would work for this, or if I should go straight to the 10 ton. I know that there are other, better units out there (Black hawk, Porter-Ferguson) but for how little that I will be using it, I think that I can get away with going cheap. Any thoughts on this?



hick

[DownNDirty]

I have the 4 ton and it would probably do it, but I would suggest getting the 10 ton. The "jaws" are rated much lower than everything else and it would be nice to have some that were rated higher than 1/2 ton. I also suggest using scrap wood to press against. Cut it the shape you want the panel to end up in or close and push away.

[SPEEDCRAVIN]

I have been wanting a good portapower for years. Just have not bought one. I have used buddies and I always look for the bigger one. I used it to bow out the the frame on a 1 ton not long ago to get the crossmember to squeeeze out. Its much easier with more power...

JOSH

[DUG]

Go big.

Raising the roof the 4 ton will work fine but once you have one you will find all kinds of uses for it and want more power.

[hitech_hick]

The "jaws" are rated much lower than everything else and it would be nice to have some that were rated higher than 1/2 ton.

All of the jaws that I have seen are rated for 1/2 ton no matter what the brand is. I guess I was wondering if 4 ton would suffice to push my roof back into place?



hick

[SPEEDCRAVIN]

All of the jaws that I have seen are rated for 1/2 ton no matter what the brand is. I guess I was wondering if 4 ton would suffice to push my roof back into place?



hick

I think it would. It did not take 4 tons to push it to its present state...

JOSH

[Pavemen]

you can move a roof back with a hi-lift and that is rated at 7000lb (3.5 ton), so the 4 ton unit would work, but as stated above, you will want more later, so go big now if you can afford it

[BumpyDodge]

Last time I encountered a situation like that, It was with a Caprice wagon with a crushed roof. It had decent derby car potential, but whoever drove it last had roof rolled it pretty hard. Derby cars don't need body shop quality straightening. I wound up trailering the car down to the local junkyard and "borrowing" their wheel loader & operator for about 15 minutes in the parking lot. He got the roof 90% straightened out just using the front forks on the machine. Only cost me $10 and it saved a lot of work. I only used a portapower for some finesse work around the driver's side B-pillar. Bring along a few 4x4 timbers and some log chain for rigging the pulls. The weight of the vehicle is what crushed it, the weight of the vehicle will uncrush it.

[SPEEDCRAVIN]

What about just cutting the whole roof off...

JOSH

[hitech_hick]

What about just cutting the whole roof off...

JOSH


I have thought about it, still kinda like the thought of having a roof over my head, I guess we'll have to see how the roll cage turns out...


hick

[PDR John]

The 4 ton will just sit on the floor after the first time you use a 10 ton. Buy the 10 ton, you won't regret it.

[guidolyons]

The 4 ton unit is on sale for $70 (reg $100). The 10 ton is on sale for $120 (reg $160).

Seems like a no brainer for $40 more... when you need 4.1 tons you'll wish you had the 10 ton.

Or... for $5 worth of cut off wheels you get a convertable :flipoff2:

[hitech_hick]

The 4 ton unit is on sale for $70 (reg $100). The 10 ton is on sale for $120 (reg $160).

Seems like a no brainer for $40 more... when you need 4.1 tons you'll wish you had the 10 ton.

Or... for $5 worth of cut off wheels you get a convertable :flipoff2:

Actually I have a coupon for the 10 ton for $110, I am thinking that I will go that route. If it turns out alright, great, and if not, I guess I'll have a convertible...



hick

[MrShoeBoy]

Get the 10 ton. I just did some body work on the front of my MJ last week. Had to pull the inner fenders back into square. The 4 ton crappy porta power sucked and I gave up on it and turned to my trusty Hi lift jack. Worked like a charm :D
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb142/MrShoeBoy/MJ/Picture071.jpg

AARON

[tnmike55]

Ive got the 10 ton HF porta power and its a beast. Heavy too. If you want portability get the 4 ton.