Lift Height?

[Phil D.]

I want to buy a 4-post lift for my backyard shop. Besides the obvious, one of the things I though I might could do with a lift at some point in the future, hang some straps and use it to lift the body off of a c3. I suppose thats a reasonable way of doing it (seems safer than some of the mickey mouse methods I've seen in pictures). Most of the hobby lifts are not very tall, only 69 or so inches clear under the runners. The roof of the c3 is about 48 - 49 inches I think. For a body lift, I'm thinking I might need a taller model. Can anybody tell me how far one needs to lift the body of a c3 so the chassis can be rolled out from underneath it?

Phil

[Stephen L.]

Re: Lift Height?

If you plan on rolling the chassis out from under the body then you need the tires on it. Having said that take the following measurements.

With the tires on...
1. Height of tallest point of engine or fuel tank from floor.

2. Distance from lowest point of body (floorpan or core support) to highest point of body (roof or windshield top)

Add these dimensions, throw in some "working clearance" and the total is the minimum clearance you'll need

Example: engine = 37 inches
body = 43 inches
clearance = 2 inches
Total = 82 inches

[Ray G.]

Re: Lift Height?

Hello;

Have rolled chassis from under body lifts on bare wheels. Put duct tape on edges of rims to save flooring.

Gas tank and carb. are the highest points.

Body is only 600-700 lbs. stripped.

Hope this helps.

Ray

[Harmon C.]

Re: Lift Height?

With a four post lift all you need to do is hang the body in the air lower the lift roll the frame off. Put the dolly on the lift and raise it up to get the body and bring it down. This is how I do it but your ceiling needs to suport that 700# for a little while. I have a I beam.

[Phil D.]

Re: Lift Height?

If you plan on rolling the chassis out from under the body then you need the tires on it. Having said that take the following measurements.

With the tires on...
1. Height of tallest point of engine or fuel tank from floor.

2. Distance from lowest point of body (floorpan or core support) to highest point of body (roof or windshield top)

Add these dimensions, throw in some "working clearance" and the total is the minimum clearance you'll need

Example: engine = 37 inches
body = 43 inches
clearance = 2 inches
Total = 82 inches

So, I did some rough measurements.....

Engine and Fuel Tank Lid both appear to be about = 31 inches
Body from floor pan to roof = 43 inches
Give me clearance of say = 4 inches*
Total = 78 inches

*I figure the chassis might rise a couple of inches as the body is lifted, thus unloading the springs.

The next taller model at 81" clearance over the standard at 69" should be plenty. Thats good because to go any taller, the runners have to get longer. Thanks for the tips.

[Phil D.]

Re: Lift Height?

With a four post lift all you need to do is hang the body in the air lower the lift roll the frame off. Put the dolly on the lift and raise it up to get the body and bring it down. This is how I do it but your ceiling needs to suport that 700# for a little while. I have a I beam.

I hadn't thought of doing it that way, but I have a clear span which means I'd have to construct something up there between the trusses to hang it from. The two lift models I was comparing, the next taller lift appears will do the trick and is only $400 more. I was afraid that if I needed even taller than that, then the next bigger one is also much longer which starts to get crowded in my little shop. Or Gemini said they could customize a tall lift with short runners, but the cost was even more and the weight capacity would be much less.

[Phil D.]

Re: Lift Height?

Just to follow up, I went with a Direct Lift ProPark 8 Plus and a pair of sliding scissor jacks.