Now that I have a property worth investing in, I’m just about ready to start thinking about a lift in the garage. For a long time I was set on 2 post lifts but now that I’m looking at the realistic application of what I have to work with they just don’t seem that practical for my space. It’s important that when I don’t have a car in the air, I still have all the usable floor space I can get. With a 2 post I know my wife’s friends will open her car door into the center post every time they leave to go somewhere, and I’ll be tripping over it every time I try to make my way around the car. Scissor Lifts are looking pretty good right now, but a lot of them are one piece designs that cover up much of the underbody of the car (I have to be able to access motors, trans, diff, full exhaust system, etc). Also need to be able to remove all wheels from the car. 4 posts take up too much space and don’t seem to offer any benefit over a 2 post.
Here is the space I’m working with. The lift would be going under where the car is in this picture.
Are there any other types of lift designs that fulfill my above needs?
I am leaning towards a dual type in floor scissor lift as it meets my needs pretty well. A lot of people over on garage journal are using a Chinese brand with decent luck but I’m not too keen on going through the hassle of importing it, having no service/parts/warranty, etc. Are there any brands that produce something like in the above pics?
Given the concrete work that needs to be done I’d have an outside contractor come in to do the pour of the new recessed portion. The floor is pitched towards a center drain which makes the pour a bit tougher I’m sure, but it works out since I’ll be able to install floor drains in each of the recessed trenches and tie them into the main drain. I might be able to cut out the required holes myself though.
I have this
[ATTACH=CONFIG]25531[/ATTACH]
style lift in my garage as my roof isnt tall enough for a 2 post.
this summer I plan to recess it into the floor. I love it so far. for reallllly low cars I mounted 2 2x10’s on eather side for now. till i can break up the concrete.
the only thing that sucks is exhoust work… although i mostly work on Fail wheel drive. but ive done clutchs, even Downpips on a 2.7T audi on it, brakes, suspesntion, axles alll are cake walk. and wheel rotations are soooo much easier. I spend alot of time swapping winter to summer tires then back again.
I’ve always been interested with these lifts, although I question the safety being that it’s bolted in place. Love the idea of having a lift that can break down, and the assembly seems about as involved as an engine hoist. Gives about as much ‘lift’ as the scissor units you linked, with more access to the underside.
For things like exhaust and drive shafts. Ill drive the car on ramps then jack up the rear with a floor jack, then add the attachments that come with the lift for tall “trucks” that gives me about 6-8" over the lift and I can usally squeeze most things out. and the lift sits far enough back I can drop sub frams and what not out the front. I also converted my garage door to
Mike, I was looking pretty heavily into the MaxJax as well, but I don’t want to have to move the posts around and store them when not in use. Just another thing to take up space. Other than that they are a pretty nice option. I’m also not a fan of the mounting system.
Tom, those are nice and seem to have the same principle but they seem kind of flimsy. I read about a guy who had a pair like that collapse while his car was on them (ironically another LS swapped E39). I don’t need these to be portable or movable. I want to set them in place once after careful measurement and leave them until I’m rich/old enough to not wrench on stuff anymore. BTW I also sent you a text about your CCV. Let me know when you’re ready!
Understandable. I’m just looking for the “whole solution”. I’ve been “squeezing out” shit as long as I can remember and that’s what I’m looking to get away from.
stumbled apon single post lifts, Not sure about them but might be a good option if you really want the versatility of working under the car a lot and don’t want a 2 post.
Edit, after some reading they all seem portable and nothing is permanent as they are pretty much LARGE pallet jacks. Yes Norb got your text the other day, been busy and forgot to respond. This Wedding in 2 months is consuming ill of my time. Will be in touch!
The MaxJax are not too far off from a normal lift. The standard 2 post like I have is just bolted to the floor. The difference is the height of the posts, the portable hydraulic system, and they only “lock” in 2 spots, not every 6-8" like a normal lift. From what you described it seems like the best option (keeping cost and such in mind). I’ve actually considered it in the past. If I could “move” my lift out of the way it would make things easier when parking cars inside, or just moving things around to work on them.
the dual scissor recessed into the floor is by far the best imo. all the benefits of a lift while taking up 0 space. the locking stops look pretty robust too. I would feel safe working under it.
other than that I would go 2 post and maybe wrap the poles with something to prevent door incidents. my dad got a 2 post and while its nice its really a hassle to work around when its not in use.
how tall are your ceilings? are you going to be able to get it high enough to walk under? any issues with the garage door rolling into where the posts would be on a 2 post?
2 post location would avoid the garage door while open but since it is still inconvenient i don’t want to get too attached to that one.
10’ ceilings, with a beam running left to right in about the middle of the garage. Beam comes off the ceiling about a foot.
I’m not that tall (5’8ish) so I don’t need this thing sky high. It’s more of “not laying on the ground anymore” that matters to me
After some research it looks like the Chinese company Ever Eternal isn’t even exporting these to the US anymore. They have a “rep” now but those guys are charging almost twice as much ($3499).
I don’t think the max jax is a bad solution for your average size house garage really :shrug: If I could leave one post up all the time and just take the other down and put it in the corner that wouldn’t be bad, you can get fully under it, you can take it with you if you ever sell. You could put multiple locations for the lift, not just one. Sitting on a creeper chair to work is pretty comfortable thought. If I could put the fasteners into the concrete when its curing or even epoxy them in or something, I would probably feel better about how the max jax mount as its about the only thing that kinda scares me about it.
Norb for the price id say the Max JAX is your best option. 4 simple bolts will let you move the post out of the way for extended periods of time. If your really worried also have someone come and cut out a 12x12 spot and relay concrete with anchor points of your choice instead of just drilling and installing the anchors.
I spent some time in the garage with the tape measure last night. Although the price of the mid-rise lifts (of which I was able to find a few for sale domestically) was attractive, they just don’t lift high enough for my liking. Most go to about 41-48" above finished floor. Even sitting on a roll around stool, that just isn’t comfortable. I’d have to be constantly ducking my head down to clear the chassis - which makes no sense as I’m trying to make wrenching MORE comfortable. Atlas offers a nice full rise dual scissor lift that fits my space requirements and goes up to something absurd like 76". I will have to be mindful where I place it to avoid hitting the overhead beam but I have a rough idea of a layout that will work great.
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With the recessed scissor lift I am looking at about a 78"x78" recess that needs to be poured. I need to find out whether saw cutting the floor is something I can do myself or whether it’s easier to just have a contractor do it all.
