I can't help you with the other two, but I know on my truck I have used my hi-lift under the door frames before with the doors open. I do have the plastic trim removed and I think once there was some mild deformation because I was in a particularly weak spot, but if you get right under the a and B pillars it will be plenty strong enough.

 

1. Correct

2. Radiator (and cowling) will move with the frame, though the upper mounts have 1 bolt to the body/core support on each side, accessed by taking the grille off. You'll want to detach these before moving the body.

3. I see that you don't have sliders, so take a 2x4 that's a couple of feet long and seat it on the sill just behind the plastic trim. Then jack from a central point using a jack of your choice. The wood will spread the load so that you don't dent the sheet metal.

 

Thanks squirt - I was thinking 2x4s too.

I'm all set now...

 

Well I got one side done last night before rain stopped play... pretty easy so far except for having to jack the rear end up really higher to get the hockey puck out of the rear most body mount. I heard a "snap" from under the truck right before I got the spacer out - really hoping I didn't break a hose or a fitting! I didn't do a thorough check as I was getting soaked but I didn't see anything clearly off... any ideas?

 

So the lift is out but I have a problem. The steering is well tight and feels like its binding. I slackenned off what i thought was the right nut, at the top of the shaft closest to the firewall (10mm bolt threaded through the clamp around the linkage).

What did i do wrong? Is there another adjustment needed somewhere else further down?