I've been 900 miles from home all last week so maybe I was an expert then where no one knew me,HA. Well I'm back home now so I'd better be right now, huh?
It isn't difficult adding a hoist but it does matter how your body is built. If it has wooden longsills (the stringers on top of the frame running front to rear)then it is not a job for a self described newbie. Let a pro handle that one. So let us assume that your body has steel longsills. Generally speaking you'll need 6" sills and 3-4" crossmembers to have room to mount a hoist. For arguments sake we will also assume that you have chosen a scissor design hoist. Twin cylinder hoists are more period correct for a 40's-50's truck but they are increasingly difficult to find new and used one's are generally not worth trusting your life to. So a scissor type it is. Next choose the model for the body length you have. Most manufacturers will have a couple of models for your length, a standard and a heavier capacity unit. The standard models are the best bet as a rule. The "bigger is better" rule is a waste of money 90% of the time. Next decide if you want a PTO driven pump or a 12V DC driven pump. PTO's for the old trannys are not made anymore so if you go that route you'll have to come up with a used PTO and even parts for them are like hens teeth.
I'd go(did)with the electic pump/valve unit. There are several manufacturers of hoists in the US to choose from but far fewer in BC.
Next choose a frameless type or a subframe style hoist. The subframe style is much easier to install as the both the hinge and the scissor frame are already attached to the subframe. Then cut the rear of the frame to the desired length and install the subframe or the hinge per the directions of the manufacturer. The hoist frame is then installed if the frameless style is chosen and everything bolted down and welded per instructions. Next the pump/valve ***'y is is installed, wired to the battery and the control cable or wired switch is connected. Then the body is reinstalled and the hoist welded to the longsills per instructions as well as the hinge assembly and your pretty well complete except for the taillamps and body lights.
There are a LOT of other things that can go wrong with what I have descibed but it is impossible to tell what they may be without seeing your particular truck. I recommend that you take it to someone who does a lot of this type of work and get thier thoughts before attempting this job. There is nothing like experience so try to find someone who has been around a long time and knows these old trucks and the problems encountered with them.
If you go ahead with this project feel free to contact me directly with all the info and pictures of your rig and I'll help steer you through it all.
