Lifts

[mpyle007]

We are looking to add a lift here in our shop so that we can play with our own toys. What is a good electric lift to buy that is the best bang for the buck?

[GTAHVIT]

wow... Loaded question...


can you help us out?

how much ceiling clearance do you have?

Are you looking to use it for storage and maintenance? or just maintenance?

do you need to be able to do major work like transmission R/R?

give us some more data and we'll be able to get you on the right track.

but, typically the most versatile lifts are 4 posts and are pretty cost effective.

[2L82RUN]

I just built a garage and had a BendPak 2 post 10k lb lift installed. Garage was built to accommodate the lift. Ceiling is 12' 4" high.

[DoubleARS]

I have a Direct-Lift Pro-lift 9 Plus being installed at the end of the month and I cannot wait!

I can let you know my thoughts on that one in a few weeks.

[mws444]

Originally Posted by 2L82RUN

I just built a garage and had a BendPak 2 post 10k lb lift installed. Garage was built to accommodate the lift. Ceiling is 12' 4" high.

Great garage! Bendpack is a good lift, with the 10k capacity ought to be plenty safe. Bendpack is about the most bang for the buck before stepping up to a rotory or further yet a Mohawk.
Post up some more pics of your shop.

[Stealth 2010 2SS/RS]

Originally Posted by DoubleARS

I have a Direct-Lift Pro-lift 9 Plus being installed at the end of the month and I cannot wait!

I can let you know my thoughts on that one in a few weeks.

I would be intrested in you thoughts about the lift, my garage is on hold due to weather and this is the lift that I was looking at.

[DoubleARS]

Originally Posted by Stealth 2010 2SS/RS

I would be intrested in you thoughts about the lift, my garage is on hold due to weather and this is the lift that I was looking at.

Sorry about being on hold. I will be sure to do a write-up when it is installed.

[mpyle007]

We are wanting to place it where the Tahoe is at. 20' plus ceilings.

[GTAHVIT]

Originally Posted by mpyle007

We are wanting to place it where the Tahoe is at. 20' plus ceilings.

BRAVO!

How many lifts do you want?



I'd go for the two post and be done with it.

[mpyle007]

Probably just one? We can then do our own mods easier, take care of company vehicles as well.

[the rich dude]

I have one from North American Auto Group I believe they are called.. American made, and VERY reasonably priced.

[bowtie98607]

I bought a Rotary 14K 4 post with 2 hunter swing jacks for $2500 on Craigslist.

[mrgm]

I've seen these, they make me nervous but they make sense.
http://maxjaxusa.com/

[EZ SPEED]

I also have a BendPak 10k lb Lift in my shop and love it.

[IDEALG]

I have mohawk lifts they are probably the most expensive lifts on the market but they are built like brick shit houses and i wouldnt trust my life under any other lift.

[Clustergear]

I had posted this in another tread about lifts.

I put a 4 post lift in for service and extra parking, I went with a Ben Pak HD9 extra wide. With the extra wide it is 107" between posts I can park a flat deck car trailer under lift (most trailers are 102 wide at end of fenders) With the extra wide you can also drive a pickup truck on lift and not have get out of truck to push mirrors in so they don't hit the posts. Also bought the wheel kit I can push the lift around the garage with a car on it. Lift doesn't have to be bolted down and it very sturdy with either a camaro or a heavy Suburban on it. Another thing to think about is, do you have plans down the road of get pickup extended cab or crew cab. Order a lift that long enough to fit wheel base of what in your future. I welded up some steel to make cross braces that fit in to jack channel on lift, lay braces in than put plywood down and now have full flat deck to put motorcycles or any other junk on. Put it up in the air and now more floor space. I'm 5'8" and I can walk under with out ducking. Here's the place that had the best price. I also put put two 220 plugs on the ceiling so if I move lift it will work any where in garage.

http://www.asedeals.com/garage_lift.html

[mws444]

Originally Posted by IDEALG

I have mohawk lifts they are probably the most expensive lifts on the market but they are built like brick shit houses and i wouldnt trust my life under any other lift.

+1

They are also made in the good 'Ol USA! Anyone who can afford a Mowhawk owes it to themselves to go to their website to see all of the defferences beween them and the rest......amazing!
From a satfety standpoint they are head and sholders above the rest.

[4th Gen Camaro Addict]

I have a Bend-Pak 4 post 12,000 lb. lift with two 6,000 lb. rolling jacks. It should do anything that I'll ever need it to do.

[CEE]

Originally Posted by 02zl1_97ss

I have a Bend-Pak 4 post 12,000 lb. lift with two 6,000 lb. rolling jacks. It should do anything that I'll ever need it to do.

WOW! & WOW!

[cornfield camaro]

Originally Posted by IDEALG

I have mohawk lifts they are probably the most expensive lifts on the market but they are built like brick shit houses and i wouldnt trust my life under any other lift.

I've had the same Mohawk for 21 yrs. and it's been lifting everything from loaded down 1 tons to Honda Civics without ONE single problem. To me, there are two kind of lifts. The first is bought by a guy in a suit who's trying to save money. The second is bought by the guy standing under it. Mohawk is bought by the guy under it.

[Supermaro585HP]

I have a used car lot in Pittsburgh PA. and I just bought a new lift last year. I got it through Advance auto parts and love it. I paid $ 2300.00 installed. I give them alot of business and they gave me a good deal.. Check them out..

[ZooDad]

OK, Got finished sooner than expected.

I have true 9' ceilings and a fairly tight opener system.
The MaxJax has a maximum lift of 48". Plenty for what I am doing.

I ran into some challenges along the way. Here are some photos of it.

I will most likely reroute the hoses up to the ceiling to get them off the floor and mount the pump/tank assembly on the wall.

Post up and questions / comments you have.




As Delivered



Unpackaged



Measuring and squaring the pillars



Directions are clear, no less than 4" thick concrete. Should not be a problem. First hole 4.0" Drilled with rotary hammer 5/8" first then 7/8" for the anchor. Using the sacrificial bolt and nut, you drive the anchor in.



Got all 5 holes drilled, but 2 anchors would not set. Removed them and measured again..... 3.5" and 3.25"... Ah crud... A call to Danmar and got the news, pour footings 4'x4'x12" Yep that's alot of mud.





To the rental and back with a saw.





Thank goodness for young help.



Nice "Little Hole" under the SS



Full Load of Mud



One of two big holes getting filled





Filled and finished



Marking for new holes.



Wife's Altima on the lift rotating tires and changing oil. Installation went smooth.



View from the rear of the SS. It is at full height.



Here I am sitting beneath the SS. There are solid bars that insert in the pillars. It prevents the cross support from descending.



View from rear sitting beneath.



And finally here it is all tucked away.



Unfortunately the SS has not been inside for a several months.
The garage has been invaded by this.....



Sorry for the lousy photo - Phone and sun glare).

Post up and questions / comments you have.

ZooDad

[Nick S]

I have been talking to a local guy that has been installing lifts for over 25 years. He said the main thing to look for is to make sure any lift you are buying is ALI certified. That means it has been third party tested to verify that it can and will hold the weight that it is rated at. I saw a video somewhere of a lift that was not ALI certified and it crumbled at way less than the load rating on it. If I can find the video I'll post a link.
I've been looking at the Challenger lifts (www.challengerlifts.com) and the rotary revolution lifts. I'm more of a 2-post lift fan for general service work purposes but I have also been considering a 4-post lift for parking and storage to get one of the camaro up in the air to free up garage space.

[MrGs SS]

Originally Posted by 2L82RUN

I just built a garage and had a BendPak 2 post 10k lb lift installed. Garage was built to accommodate the lift. Ceiling is 12' 4" high.

I will trade you my wife and girlfriend for your garage.. pm me if interested..

[2L82RUN]

Originally Posted by MrGs SS

I will trade you my wife and girlfriend for your garage.. pm me if interested..

Already have a wife and unable to support another or a girlfriend. I think you'd win big time on that deal!!!

This is a time lapse of the first major use my new garage/lift got. Total rear end work on my SS. Diff bushings, 1400hp axles, trailing arms, toe rod arms, and carbon fiber driveshaft!!