Lift Purchase

[Steve M.]

I have a 1969 350/350 that I am planning to restore this April when I retire. I have a standard 8' ceiling in my 2 story 28'x32' garage. I am looking at the Dannmar Equipment MaxJax for a lift. I would appreciate comments from any member both good or bad that has one or suggestions as to another make.
Thanks for any comments
Steve

[Frederick W.]

Re: Lift Purchase

I bought the max jax last summer.
I've used it to raise my 63 and 68 vettes, as well as my Ford Ranger, Infiniti G35, and even my 59 Austin Healey Sprite project.
I'm happy with it but at first I had some issues with regard to even lifting. Actually it lifted evenly, but when lowering one side came down faster than the other. The first car I had on it was my 63 SWC and halfway down the right side was about 4 inches lower than the left. I really was worried the car could fall.
I ended replacing the proportioning valve and then one of the hydraulic cylinders. Since then, though, it has been fine, and I've used it many times.

The other thing is lift height, which is only about 4 ft. I use a rolling stool to work under the car and haven't really had any issues doing whatever I've needed. This may be ideal for your lower ceilings.

One of the big advantages is that it is relatively easy to unbolt and roll out of the way. It kept me from impeding the garage bay next to it.

Best
Fred

[Paul J.]

Re: Lift Purchase

Steve, are you sure you want a lift? I guess it depends on how much restoration work you are going to do yourself. Everyone that I talk to with a lift loves it, but they never address the points Fred mentions about it getting in the way. If you can't move it or don't want to go to that amount of effort, you'll need another bay.

Here's one of several threads about four post and two post lifts and thier different manufacturers.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...=lift&uid=3793

Paul

[Tom L.]

Re: Lift Purchase

Paul, the lift he is referring to can be broken down and moved. I've considered one but have not heard anything about them. I'm watching to see what people that have them think of them. Here's the link.

http://maxjaxusa.com/

[Michael J.]

Re: Lift Purchase

I am having two of these lifts installed in my 2 story garage in two weeks, but mine has 12 foot ceilings.

http://www.aclifts.com/parking/residential-car-lifts.asp

I like the drive-on lifts better than the side post types, just more stable. But it depends on what you are doing with them. These came highly recommended by several of my gear-head friends.

[Stephen B.]

Re: Lift Purchase

Steve
I've owned a four post by Eagle for about 15 years now.I have a 10 ft. ceiling and still can't raise it to the top with a Corvette on top.I have no tips for you regarding a 2 post but I can advise you on the 4 post.It must be set back far enough to allow the garage door to be raised without hitting the nose of the car or the post. Most of these have a massive hydraulic cyl. under one ramp with a series of pulleys running to each leg. Regardless of brand ask vendor if pulleys have a bearing or bush or anything.Is the bolt through the pulley hardened ? I nearly had a disaster because mine had soft bolts through a soft pulley.I replaced pulleys ,installed oilite bushings and bought hardened bolts. problem solved.
Stephen Barrett (21558) 59,66,71,73

[Joseph U.]

Re: Lift Purchase

i also have an 8 foot ceiling. I purchased a back yard buddy 4 post about 6 years ago and it is great. I had the ceiling re-engineered to cut a 4 by 6 hole into the ceiling to raise the center part about 3 feet - I can raise it high enough with my 66 coup project on it to get under without stooping - I am average height - - 6 feet even. But don't just cut the rafters - trouble with the roof structure is the last thing you need. It has to be engineered to support the roof. and you have to have the room to be able to open the garage door without hitting the car.
If you have a room over the garage - well then you are stuck.
good luck,
Joe

[Steve M.]

Re: Lift Purchase

I appreciate everyones comments.
Steve

[Grant W.]

Re: Lift Purchase

I appreciate everyones comments.
Steve

Hi Steve
Costco sells a 4 post lift to fit an 8 foot ceiling. Brand Name is Dannmar too.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?Prodid=11288133&search=4%20post%20lift&topnav=&Mo=0&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode%20matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=4%20post%20lift&Ntt=4%20post%20lift&No=0&Nty=1&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial

When my 68 and 71 is done I will clean the shelf's in the middle row in my 24 x 24 8 foot ceiling garage and then pick up that 4 post lift.
I have been looking everywhere to find a shorter 4 post lift and this will be the one I'm buying.
Hope this helps.
Grant

[Stephen B.]

Re: Lift Purchase

Grant


Add the height of your car( 1966=49") to the thickness of the deck (4"), and 2 to 4 inches for safety. Now subtract that from your ceiling height of 84 inches. that leaves you with 27 to 29 inches to walk under the car.This wont work unless your a midget,and you'll never be able to park another car underneath.Unless you have the ability to modify the ceiling don't waist your money.
Stephen Barrett (21558) 59,66,71,73

[Ken T.]

Re: Lift Purchase

Lot of good info here, but now I'm really confused. Thought I just wanted a lift for cars in my garage to work on or store. Now I see there are two main styles I want, 2 and 4 post. 2 post for working on cars and 4 post for storing. 2 post are better for working on them, but the flexing of the car makes me a little nervous. 2 post lifts probably need 4-6" of 3-4000# reinforced concrete where as the 4 post would probably be fine on most garage floors. I'm planning to build a home right away with a 3 car garage and asked for an 11' ceiling with the third garage door being a roll-up commercial door. Sounds like now I might have to ask for the double garage door to be the commercial roll-up so I can have a 2 and 4 post lift or get one and then another one later perhaps. Are most the lifts primarilly 220 or 110? What do you think of the concrete specs?

[Ken A.]

Re: Lift Purchase

For a 2 post lift, I suggest a 13' (clear) ceiling. That's what I have in my shop and my 2 post just fits. Some may be shorter, but mine is 10,000 lb. I put my 07 Silverado on it to change oil. Mine is 220V. I prefer the 2 post because I do a lot of work on our many cars. Takes a little more effort to put the arms under the car as opposed to just driving up a ramp, but once it's up, there is nothing in your way. A word of caution, most Corvettes, except solid axles, are too low for most 2 post lifts. You will probably need to drive them up on a 2x piece of wood to get the arms under it, especially if you have side exhaust. My plan, although I have yet to do it, is drill some holes in the floor so that I can slide a carriage bolt through the wood and into the floor so the wood doesn't move, but can be just picked up when you are done.

I have a 5" slab in my shop, and that is enough. A 6" area under the posts wouldn't hurt, but not neccesary, at least for mine. Just drill 4 holes for each post, drive in the anchors and torque the bolts to something like 180 lbs. Works great. I've had mine up for about 5 years without any problems. Did it all myself. Just be sure you put it where you want it, as you aren't going to move it without a lot of work. Be sure you have at least a couple of feet clear around the posts so you can walk around. The same is true in the front of the car. Need room to get around when it's on the lift, but not up in the air. Put it so you can have all your tools close, but not so close that the front of a longer car will hit. I would suggest a minimum clear area 12' x 20' to give you plenty of room to work. My lift is the best thing I've ever done for working on my cars.

You mentioned having 2 lifts. Wish I had room for 2, one for the project I'm working on and one so I could change oil when the other lift is occupied.

Ken

[Stephen B.]

Re: Lift Purchase

Ken
You raise several very valid questions few ask. I've restored 3 Corvettes using a 4 post with no compromises.This is not to say anything negative in regard to the 2 post. I do think the floor thickness is a very valid question. I have always questioned that when in a home environment. Many commercial 2 posters are also attached at the ceiling for balance and stability.

[Joe R.]

Re: Lift Purchase

Lot of good info here, but now I'm really confused. Thought I just wanted a lift for cars in my garage to work on or store. Now I see there are two main styles I want, 2 and 4 post. 2 post for working on cars and 4 post for storing. 2 post are better for working on them, but the flexing of the car makes me a little nervous. 2 post lifts probably need 4-6" of 3-4000# reinforced concrete where as the 4 post would probably be fine on most garage floors. I'm planning to build a home right away with a 3 car garage and asked for an 11' ceiling with the third garage door being a roll-up commercial door. Sounds like now I might have to ask for the double garage door to be the commercial roll-up so I can have a 2 and 4 post lift or get one and then another one later perhaps. Are most the lifts primarilly 220 or 110? What do you think of the concrete specs?

Ken,

I know the BackYard Buddy lift I was looking at needs a 110 V 20 A circuit. But I can't speak for the rest of them.

Joe

[Bruce B.]

Re: Lift Purchase

I have had my Autolifters 2 post lift for about 8 years now with no problems.
I have used it to work on everything from my Chevy 1/2 ton pickup and also on a 67 VW and the 3 Corvettes I currently own.
I do have a 11 foot raised ceiling in the lift bay so being short (not quite a midget, Steve) the clearence is fine for working under it. I have used it to restore 2 cars and as far as I'm concerned a 2 post is the way to go.
And yes you do get some body flex on a 2 post. When lifting my 57 I can watch the door gap open when the car is lifted from the floor. I have lifted it many, many times and the flexible nature of the body and frame is just natural. No cracks or damage have occured.
At times I have stored my 65 up on the lift for months at a time but it does not flex like the C1.
As far as being in the way, when not in use it takes up much less room then a 4 post lift.
With a 2 post that is properly installed the only instability is the operator.