choosing a car lift

[flynntuna]

while surfing around looking for a lift (I like the max jax),I came across a lift at ezcarlift.com. has anyone have any experience with this kind of lift? It uses a power drill to lift a car up 26 inches.

[TimC]

I'm not familiar with the lift you mention but one thing comes to mind is lifting a car with a power drill sounds like a futile effort. Either the drill won't be strong enough or it will be geared in such a way it would take forever to lift.

[tirod]

I am not making these a recommendation -

http://www.harborfreight.com/6000-lb-capacity-scissor-lift-with-hydraulic-pump-46604.html?utm_medium=cse&utm_source=googlebase-pla&hft_adv=40010&mr:trackingCode=EE6B0F9E-782A-E011-B31E-001B2163195C&mr:referralID=NA&origin=pla&mr:adType=pla&gclid=CL_NxMK5zLACFbFa7AodDxkgZw

http://www.revolutionlift.com/RMR6-6000-Pound-Capacity-Mid-Rise-Lift-P4C9.aspx

I just had my daughter's 91 Escort at the mechanic, and he was using his commercial rated 7,000 version to work on her car out on the concrete apron in front of his crowded shop. They did all the suspension work to replace two struts, mounts, a lower control arm, left spindle, sway bar links, and brake pads. No, I don't recommend anyone attempt driving an Escort wagon off road.

ON THE OTHER HAND - he also had a mid size SUV on the rack earlier, a customer tipped it right over onto the front bumper. It takes some knowledge getting the balance right.

Two and four post lifts are available from $2,500 up. I particularly like the ads with one collector car dumped on another - and the precaution you get what you pay for. I see that one in Street Rodder magazine.

These days they all seem to be hydro pnuematic or something, in the day, they had a small 110 motor and used cables with rachet locks. Didn't think twice about getting under a UPS truck to change the oil. Every shop had a lift, now only the franchises or big money have them. Insurance may have something to do with it.

[riptide motorsport]

That ez lift is very highly recommended by the guys at the other forum, they say quality , light weight and portable....they love it.

[NICK C]

I bought my lift from Direct Lift out of the Dallas area about 5 yrs ago at the Pate swap meet. I paid $ 1650 for it and was the best investment I made for my personnel shop. It is a standard model with 7000 lb capability. They have since that time made this base model 8000 lb capable and I believe go for about $2000. Definately a back saver and keeps the old bones from feeling so old. You may want to look at their website. They have two post and other lifts. Nick

[NICK C]

Oh I forgot to mention that I got their dollies that allow the lift to be moved around in my shop and placed elsewhere. Handy

[RM1SepEx]

I just bought a 4 post bendpak, it's coming home today! A friend has the moving wheels... allows repositioning
4 posts double car parking in the garage as long as the height "fits"

[Someday I Suppose]

Some guys have built the poor mans qwik lift which is one option if you only need to get a foot or so in the air, but if your looking at a true life, Mark Dougherty is using a scissor style life from Greg Smith , I think it is this one http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-TD6MR-Portable-Scissor-Lift we had the Cobra up on it when I was down there and I was pretty impressed with it.

-Scott

[flynntuna]

Thanks for the input, as much as I'd like a 4 post lift, space in my garage is an issue. With only a 9ft ceiling and space needed for parking and building the factory five car, my options are limited. I like the simplicity of the scissor lift, but changing a clutch on my sons car would be impossible, so thats why I think either the max jax or the ez car lift may be my only options. I think I read in some thread of the idea of putting together a car club, were the club would have a building where these major jobs could be done..

[RM1SepEx]

9 foot ceiling is enough for a 4 post, just can't lift a tall car very high... I have 8 ft 8 in

[Someday I Suppose]

Though I don't know if Mark has tried it, we were discussing that scissor lift and it is pretty wide in the middle, both of us thought you could probably get a transmission out through it if you needed too. Not as easy as a 2 or 4 post lift, but probably doable. (In a roadster at least)

-Scott


Thanks for the input, as much as I'd like a 4 post lift, space in my garage is an issue. With only a 9ft ceiling and space needed for parking and building the factory five car, my options are limited. I like the simplicity of the scissor lift, but changing a clutch on my sons car would be impossible, so thats why I think either the max jax or the ez car lift may be my only options. I think I read in some thread of the idea of putting together a car club, were the club would have a building where these major jobs could be done..

[myjones]

9 foot ceiling is enough for a 4 post, just can't lift a tall car very high... I have 8 ft 8 in
I have a friend with a bad back and a 9' ceiling. He does most of his lift work from an office chair. Looks kinda odd at first glance but
it seems to work really well for him. He also parks his 55 up top and his 67 vert underneath the 4 post with no issues at all.
He has a beam at 9 so he backs the 55 on with the top beyond and the hood just under the beam, works out fine.
None of the FF kits are very tall anyway
DB

[RM1SepEx]

+++++

Back a Miata on the lift, raise up to ceiling with the hood under the garage door opener, place another Miata underneath

I have a home built "lift" crossways at the end of this same bay... Reverse trike on the top, 69 Sonett or my 3rd Miata under that "lift" winch up a ramp, winch the ramps level and place crossbar holding them up. 1/2 the car/trike's weight is held on the ramps, 1/2 on a box section platform on the end. It is built strong enough for a miata or 818 on the top!

result:

4 vehicles in a single 28 foot long garage bay that doubles as a working lift.

[Kalstar]

Craigslist is your friend. Paid 1700.00 for my 4 post basically new. I have 11 foot ceilings but with the garage door opener It drops the height to about 10'. I can park Vette and Carmaro stacked with two feet to spare. Love that I now have a 3 car garage.

For all around use. 4 post is my choice. If it will be to work on a car and not do any storage, two post is better.

[myjones]

Craigslist is your friend. Paid 1700.00 for my 4 post basically new. I have 11 foot ceilings but with the garage door opener It drops the height to about 10'. I can park Vette and Carmaro stacked with two feet to spare. .

Get a jack shaft opener and you get back that foot of lift. Mine's a liftmaster and it's worth every penny. They mount on the end of the shaft that carries the spring and they lift the door by the cables.
No stress on the door, no garbage above the lift, very quiet, no chain,belt or screw to make noise or need adjusted.
I like my Worth 7K lb 4 post lift too and they narrowed it to 8'6" for free to make it work in the single bay of my 3 car garage.

[bqueenielouisa]

The max jax is one of the best one. However,you can visit the site ezcarlift.com. You will get a lot of idea about the lift that you are looking for. It has the power to drill and lift the car up to 26 inches. The jack shaft opener is also quite nice from different perspective. the scissors lift is also pretty wide.

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four post lift (http://www.metro-lifts.com/Four-Post-Lifts-c9.html)