Lift recommendations

[rsipp]

We're looking for advice and recommendations in shopping for a lift.

Many thanks.

Dick Sipp

[Ray]

Several of us have bought this (http://www.bendpak.com/Shop-Equipment/QuickJack/BL-3500.aspx) and are waiting for delivery, which should be this month.....

There was a group buy but if you want, give Robert a call and see if there is anyway you could join....

Robert Elias
Sales
BendPak / Ranger
Office: 1-805-933-9970 x 181

Ray

[edwardb]

This one is on my shopping list for sometime later this year. Will work in my 2 car garage and do everything I need. http://www.dannmar.com/dannmar-products/two-post-lifts/maxjax.asp

[skullandbones]

Try this site. It even has the MaxJax that was mentioned. I wanted a lift so bad, I made it work for the roadster even in my little 8 ft 9 inch clearance garage. I have 68 inches of clearance in the front and 71 inches in the rear (tilt of the garage slab). But I had to take drastic action to get it to work. I find the 2 post lift to be better for most jobs on the roadster (e.g. lifted 3 ft to change front shocks, changing oil, cleaning the underside, inspecting). Good luck, WEK

http://www.bestbuyautoequipment.com/2-Post-Lifts-s/285.htm?mm_campaign=4e1bf3c70b9690aed7baa14a244410 11&keyword=2%20post%20lifts&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=stimulus-morning_2-post-lifts&gclid=CLrSz6-FxrgCFYU5QgodkQsAsw

You may have to copy and paste. It's called Best Buy: probably Chinese but it's good enough for "Fast and Loud".

[Bob Cowan]

I recently bought a Danmar. Not the cheapest one around, but not the most expensive, either. One of the biggest reasons was that it is the narrowest one I could find. A 4 post lift takes up a lot of real estate.

I can't say that I'm entirely happy with it. My biggest issue is the safety locks. They're supposed to lock on their own as the lift rises. But I often find that they're not aligned perfectly - off by maybe 1/8". But that's enough to keep them from catching. After I raise it up where I want it, I then go around and make sure they're all aligned properly before lowering it down on the blocks. They usually are aligned, but not always.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a256/bobcowan/smalllift1_zps4c5c6da4.jpg (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/bobcowan/media/smalllift1_zps4c5c6da4.jpg.html)

The other thing I'd like is for the motor to be mounted to the front of the post, instead of the side like it is now. It would be more out of my way there.

I used a Kwik-Lift for many years. You can't walk under it, but it really takes up a LOT less floor space, and a lot less money. Life's full of trade offs. For routine work and maintenance, I liked the Kwik-Lift better.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a256/bobcowan/Quicklift9small.jpg (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/bobcowan/media/Quicklift9small.jpg.html)

[Gumball]

I have a Bendpak HD-9 and couldn't be happier. A bit spendy, but worth it.

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/CCRsAC/lift_zpscee852ab.jpg (http://s845.photobucket.com/user/CCRsAC/media/lift_zpscee852ab.jpg.html)

[myjones]

[QUOTE=Bob Cowan;149621]I recently bought a Danmar. Not the cheapest one around, but not the most expensive, either. One of the biggest reasons was that it is the narrowest one I could find. A 4 post lift takes up a lot of real estate.
I can't say that I'm entirely happy with it. My biggest issue is the safety locks. They're supposed to lock on their own as the lift rises. But I often find that they're not aligned perfectly - off by maybe 1/8". But that's enough to keep them from catching. After I raise it up where I want it, I then go around and make sure they're all aligned properly before lowering it down on the blocks. They usually are aligned, but not always.
The other thing I'd like is for the motor to be mounted to the front of the post, instead of the side like it is now. It would be more out of my way there.

Bob
I asked two friends with similar lifts about the locks and they both said the rods end up getting bent and then they are too short to lock properly,
both said it was a bad design. They both had cable issues and pulley bearing failures in a few years. Those answers kept me from buying that style of lift. I did buy a Worth 7Klb commercial, tall lift and had them narrow it to 8'6" between the posts so it didn't use so much floor space. I also mounted a unistrut leg on the side of the post I wanted the motor on and bought a longer hyd hose to the ram. The tall lift gives me over 6' headroom so when it's left up high I still have all the floorspace to use
YRMV
Dale

[billjr212]

I recently installed the MaxJax in my garage also. Big fan so far. Doesn't seem as "removable" as they make it seem, but I suppose speed comes with practice. I'm just leaving it installed for now on the 1 bay side of my 3 car garage. That makes it so 1 post is up against the wall and I won't ever realistically need to pull it.

I ordered it from Costco when they were running a sale just after Christmas.

Oh, by the way, the instructions for the MaxJax say you need a dedicated 30 amp breaker. The cord from it, however, is only 15 amp rated. From what I have read, the motor draws 22 amps when you are lifting at it's max weight. Obviously never going to be the case with the roadster. I have it plugged into a 20 amp outlet in the garage and just make sure not to run the compressor or garage door at the same time as the lifting is happening. No issue so far.

[edwardb]

I ordered it from Costco when they were running a sale just after Christmas.

Figures. I'll probably buy it there too when I'm ready. I've checked occasionally, and the price hasn't changed. Missed the sale. :(

I did notice last week that Northern Tool raised their price... Available at Summit too. But right now Costco seems to have the best price.

[BMEP]

I'd suggest first answering the "2 or 4 post" question. You might as well ask "big block or small block? Carb of EFI? Ford or Chevy?" :)

Seriously though, they're very different and there are plenty of options for both. I'd also suggest asking the question (or searching) the forum at garagejournal.com

I've had 2 different 2 post lifts, both of which I was/am very happy with. The first was in our previous house which had a 10' ceiling so I went with a Direct Lift HR8000. it worked great but did have the equalization cables and hydraulic hose run under a "hump" plate on the floor between the columns. That was a bit of a pain from time to time. I couldn't find a 2 post with the cables/hose overhead that would fit in the 10' tall garage.

Our new house has a garage with a 12' ceiling so I bought an Atlas 9OHSC this time. It's got the cables/hose running across a "bridge" at the top. That design also offers two other benefits: 1) There's a safety shut off at the top. 2) the bridge at the top connects the posts and provides extra strength so any "tipping" force pulling the columns toward each other doesn't have to rely only on the base concrete anchor strength.

4 posts can be moved more easily and work great for parking, easier to load (just drive on) and provide good access to the door area of the body. However, they don't provide as good of access to the bottom of the car and you can't do wheel/suspension work without jacking the car up while on the lift.

2 post lifts provide great under car and suspension access but do get in the way of the door area of the body. They also require a good concrete floor (at least 4" thick, no cracks near the pads, good quality) to mount.

By the way, there's a pretty big variance between 2 post lifts as far as the "all the way down" pad height. The 9OHSC I have is very low but still not low enough to fit under my Mk3's frame rails. I have 4" front ride height and 4.5" rear. I have to jack the front up a little to get the lift pads under the frame. Also, the sidepipes hit the lift arm so I use a 1" rubber spacer between the lift pad and the frame rail.

It's hard to go wrong either way and I think it's a great investment. It's also much safer than jack stands. Besides, it's just so nice to be able to get the car up to a comfortable working height!

Here's the HR8000:

http://www.robscobra.com/images/ffcars/finished_north.jpg


And here's the Atlas
http://www.robscobra.com/images/ffcars/garage/lift.jpg

[Mike N]

I have the same atlas 90 lift. Got it from Greg Smith Equipment. No complaints at all. I keep 4 short pieces of 2 x12 by the lift and drive the car onto them to get the lift arms under the frame. I marked the ideal locations for the pieces on the floor so an added bonus is that if I get the car centered on the wood it's also in the ideal location to be lifted. I also took the time to shim the pieces of wood to get them level to each other for doing alignments.

[myjones]

Our new house has a garage with a 12' ceiling so I bought an Atlas 9OHSC this time. It's got the cables/hose running across a "bridge" at the top. That design also offers two other benefits: 1) There's a safety shut off at the top. 2) the bridge at the top connects the posts and provides extra strength so any "tipping" force pulling the columns toward each other doesn't have to rely only on the base concrete anchor strength.
Here's the HR8000:
And here's the Atlas
http://www.robscobra.com/images/ffcars/garage/lift.jpg

Great write-up and picture of the tall 2 post. I see you got the good door opener this time but not a high lift door.
Can you raise a car up with the GD open??
Dale

[BMEP]

Funny you should mention the high lift door. I did get a quote from a local door place and then forgot all about it. I'll have to go back and fix that one of these days. You can lift a car with the door open but you're limited on how high you can go. The worst part is if you have a car on the lift and open the door :eek:

That opener is awesome - I'd heard good things about them before buying one and wasn't the least bit disappointed.




Great write-up and picture of the tall 2 post. I see you got the good door opener this time but not a high lift door.
Can you raise a car up with the GD open??
Dale

[edwardb]

Figures. I'll probably buy it there too when I'm ready. I've checked occasionally, and the price hasn't changed. Missed the sale. :(

I did notice last week that Northern Tool raised their price... Available at Summit too. But right now Costco seems to have the best price.

In case anyone is interested, found yesterday that Costco has the Danmar MaxJax on sale again. $1999 with free delivery. Says until end of June. That's a great price. I went for it. Placed the order this morning. Already received a call this afternoon from Danmar to arrange delivery. Perfect setup for my garage.

[Scud67]

I have an Atlas 9KBP. It is a 2-post for low ceiling applications. The posts are only 9' 3" tall, but will lift to full height (for me anyway). Bought at Greg Smith Equipment for $1700.00 (I picked it up) and installed it in less than 5 hours. LOVE IT!