Things that make you say hmmmm....
06-11-2009, 11:41 PM
#21
I love it...nice alternative to the traditional 2/4 post lift, especially if you dont have the ceiling height for it....Couple questions for you: Is the height adjustable? Whats the max height on this gizmo? You have any issues scraping? And what if you want your wheels off?
- Scraping the bottom of the car when driving up on it? No, not at all and Miatas don't get any lower than mine (my blue one, not the red one pictured).
- Just jack up one corner like you would when it is sitting on the ground. If you did it one time you would see how easy it is. Not at all a pain in the ***. The only difference while on the lift is your tire iron doesn't hit the ground when you spin it and the wheels are right in your face instead of too low to mess with.
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06-12-2009, 12:03 AM
#22
1) You don't drive up on jackstands - you spend 20 minutes getting the car up on them.
2) You die a horrible death when the jackstands fall.
3) I use a pneumatic jack to raise a tire up and then sit a block of wood under the jacking point to keep the tire up. Takes a whole 30 seconds (well, maybe 45).
4) Ever put the car on jackstands and then have to drop it down to break a lug nut loose? Major hassle but not on my lift.
Try to pull a tranny off while the car is on a scissor lift. It is not going to happen. Try to roll around under the car bleeding the brakes while the car is on a scissor lift. It is not going to happen. I haven't found a single job I can't do on my kwiklift.
2) You die a horrible death when the jackstands fall.
3) I use a pneumatic jack to raise a tire up and then sit a block of wood under the jacking point to keep the tire up. Takes a whole 30 seconds (well, maybe 45).
4) Ever put the car on jackstands and then have to drop it down to break a lug nut loose? Major hassle but not on my lift.
Try to pull a tranny off while the car is on a scissor lift. It is not going to happen. Try to roll around under the car bleeding the brakes while the car is on a scissor lift. It is not going to happen. I haven't found a single job I can't do on my kwiklift.
1) 20 minutes? Work faster. Takes all of 5 minutes to get a miata (any car) on jackstands. Granted, it's not as simple as driving up on a kiwi... but it's not a PITA really. Been doing it for about 10 years now. Other options include driving up on ramps and jacking the rear and supporting w/ jackstands. Takes less than 5 minutes but ramps are then in your way.
2) Jackstands don't fall. JackASSES knock them out from under a car or don't put them in their correct place. My g/f knows how to raise and support a vehicle. Enough said.
3) That 45 second procedure can be done on the ground in 45 seconds.
4) No. Any noob knows you break all the lugs loose first, then raise and support.
I'm arguing because I'm bored, have insomnia, my back hurts. Nothing personal.
Moving on...
I mentioned buying (2) scissor lift tables. Which will place the front and rear tires on seperate stands (tables), leaving the entire underside of the car accessible. Only issue I see here is front brakes/suspension, but a 4x4 block of wood and a hydraulic jack under the crossmember would solve it.
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06-12-2009, 12:53 AM
#23
Elite Member
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I'll be installing one of these:
Our old Mazda dealer had Challenger inground twin-posts.. They ******* ROCK. This one however is great for consumers because it operates on water instead of hydro oil! Easy to pass codes!
Now I just have to get the garage built. . .
Our old Mazda dealer had Challenger inground twin-posts.. They ******* ROCK. This one however is great for consumers because it operates on water instead of hydro oil! Easy to pass codes!
Now I just have to get the garage built. . .
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06-12-2009, 08:27 AM
#24
That looks really nice...but aren't you back to making tranny and exhaust jobs impossible.
The nice thing about a standard outboard two post is you can do anything on it. The arms are also often useful for tool and fastener placement.
Water hydraulic cylinders are FTW though when talking about your own garage.
The nice thing about a standard outboard two post is you can do anything on it. The arms are also often useful for tool and fastener placement.
Water hydraulic cylinders are FTW though when talking about your own garage.
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06-12-2009, 09:17 AM
#28
1) There is NO way to get my car on jackstands in 5 minutes. I cannot even get a floor jack under the car to lift it up to get the jack stands under it. Put my car on jackstands one time and after you finish cussing you will pay any amount of money not to have to do it again. Hell, putting it back on the ground takes 20 minutes.
2) Once you use a stable lift everything else seems dangerous. I like my ribcage and what it contains and I get a little nervous under jackstands.
3) Yes, but when you are in the air how can you do it?
4) I can remember building my $41 exhaust. I had it on the lift and found a killer deal on some 13" wheels with Kumho V700s on them. I was able to put the new wheels on without dropping the car down. Couldn't have done it if the car was on jackstands. Same deal happens a million times. Don't even act (unless you don't work on cars much) that you haven't had to drop a car off of the jackstands for any reason only to put it back in the air a minute later. On my blue car it is a 45 minute procedure.
Not taking anything personal. I appreciate a good argument.
The only thing your two scissor jacks do that my lift doesn't do:
1) You are cooler than me because you have a "real" lift.
2) You can raise and lower the car to any height.
What it doesn't do:
1) Hoses, wires, whatever in the way when you are trying to work.
2) Can't roll out the side of the car.
3) Can't roll the tranny under the side of the car (or tools).
4) Lifts are always in the way. I park on mine, use it as a work bench, use it as bench seating for parties, etc.
Since I bought my lift I have had a lot of people tell me what a piece of **** it was. I can't remember any of these people actually having their own lift or using a lift like mine. Once it moves out of the land of theory and into the land of reality my lift is about the best thing going for someone who doesn't have a 10' ceiling and space set aside for only working on cars. At some point I will build my "dream garage" (even though most people would say I have a really sweet setup now). At that point I will get a 4 post hydraulic lift. It will be interesting to see if it is really better than what I have or if I am just trying to make up for my small *****.
2) Once you use a stable lift everything else seems dangerous. I like my ribcage and what it contains and I get a little nervous under jackstands.
3) Yes, but when you are in the air how can you do it?
4) I can remember building my $41 exhaust. I had it on the lift and found a killer deal on some 13" wheels with Kumho V700s on them. I was able to put the new wheels on without dropping the car down. Couldn't have done it if the car was on jackstands. Same deal happens a million times. Don't even act (unless you don't work on cars much) that you haven't had to drop a car off of the jackstands for any reason only to put it back in the air a minute later. On my blue car it is a 45 minute procedure.
Not taking anything personal. I appreciate a good argument.
The only thing your two scissor jacks do that my lift doesn't do:
1) You are cooler than me because you have a "real" lift.
2) You can raise and lower the car to any height.
What it doesn't do:
1) Hoses, wires, whatever in the way when you are trying to work.
2) Can't roll out the side of the car.
3) Can't roll the tranny under the side of the car (or tools).
4) Lifts are always in the way. I park on mine, use it as a work bench, use it as bench seating for parties, etc.
Since I bought my lift I have had a lot of people tell me what a piece of **** it was. I can't remember any of these people actually having their own lift or using a lift like mine. Once it moves out of the land of theory and into the land of reality my lift is about the best thing going for someone who doesn't have a 10' ceiling and space set aside for only working on cars. At some point I will build my "dream garage" (even though most people would say I have a really sweet setup now). At that point I will get a 4 post hydraulic lift. It will be interesting to see if it is really better than what I have or if I am just trying to make up for my small *****.
Okay.
1) 20 minutes?
2) Jackstands don't fall.
3) That 45 second procedure can be done on the ground in 45 seconds.
4) No. Any noob knows you break all the lugs loose first, then raise and support.
I'm arguing because I'm bored, have insomnia, my back hurts. Nothing personal.
Moving on...
I mentioned buying (2) scissor lift tables. Which will place the front and rear tires on seperate stands (tables), leaving the entire underside of the car accessible. Only issue I see here is front brakes/suspension, but a 4x4 block of wood and a hydraulic jack under the crossmember would solve it.
1) 20 minutes?
2) Jackstands don't fall.
3) That 45 second procedure can be done on the ground in 45 seconds.
4) No. Any noob knows you break all the lugs loose first, then raise and support.
I'm arguing because I'm bored, have insomnia, my back hurts. Nothing personal.
Moving on...
I mentioned buying (2) scissor lift tables. Which will place the front and rear tires on seperate stands (tables), leaving the entire underside of the car accessible. Only issue I see here is front brakes/suspension, but a 4x4 block of wood and a hydraulic jack under the crossmember would solve it.
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06-12-2009, 09:28 AM
#29
1) There is NO way to get my car on jackstands in 5 minutes. I cannot even get a floor jack under the car to lift it up to get the jack stands under it. Put my car on jackstands one time and after you finish cussing you will pay any amount of money not to have to do it again. Hell, putting it back on the ground takes 20 minutes.
2) Once you use a stable lift everything else seems dangerous. I like my ribcage and what it contains and I get a little nervous under jackstands.
3) Yes, but when you are in the air how can you do it?
4) I can remember building my $41 exhaust. I had it on the lift and found a killer deal on some 13" wheels with Kumho V700s on them. I was able to put the new wheels on without dropping the car down. Couldn't have done it if the car was on jackstands. Same deal happens a million times. Don't even act (unless you don't work on cars much) that you haven't had to drop a car off of the jackstands for any reason only to put it back in the air a minute later. On my blue car it is a 45 minute procedure.
Not taking anything personal. I appreciate a good argument.
......
What it doesn't do:
1) Hoses, wires, whatever in the way when you are trying to work.
2) Can't roll out the side of the car.
3) Can't roll the tranny under the side of the car (or tools).
4) Lifts are always in the way. I park on mine, use it as a work bench, use it as bench seating for parties, etc.
2) Once you use a stable lift everything else seems dangerous. I like my ribcage and what it contains and I get a little nervous under jackstands.
3) Yes, but when you are in the air how can you do it?
4) I can remember building my $41 exhaust. I had it on the lift and found a killer deal on some 13" wheels with Kumho V700s on them. I was able to put the new wheels on without dropping the car down. Couldn't have done it if the car was on jackstands. Same deal happens a million times. Don't even act (unless you don't work on cars much) that you haven't had to drop a car off of the jackstands for any reason only to put it back in the air a minute later. On my blue car it is a 45 minute procedure.
Not taking anything personal. I appreciate a good argument.
......
What it doesn't do:
1) Hoses, wires, whatever in the way when you are trying to work.
2) Can't roll out the side of the car.
3) Can't roll the tranny under the side of the car (or tools).
4) Lifts are always in the way. I park on mine, use it as a work bench, use it as bench seating for parties, etc.
1) Buy a low profile jack, you'll need it if you ever take the car to the track and need to change wheels anyway.
2) Only consume a few beers while working under jackass-stands, not a whole case.... jackass. (not calling you names, just using the lingo to help drive the point home)
3) I'm confused.
4) Lets be honest, you could've waited to put the new wheels on.
To address your bottom 1-4:
Park on it:
Roll anything out of the side:
I think you were still thinking conventional scissor lift, not scissor lift table.
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06-12-2009, 09:42 AM
#32
Boost Pope
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So far, I've only been killed once while working under jackstands, and it's because I was being stupid. Maybe someday I'll buy a two-post lift. Actually, that envirolift looks pretty sexy. Any idea how much they cost?
EDIT: Nevermind. I found out how much they cost. More than my car. And my bike. Combined.
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06-12-2009, 09:52 AM
#33
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Charleston, S.C.
Posts: 159
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I have one of the same systems Robert has, he actually saw mine and bought his. Would I like a full 4 post lift, you bet. but since I have a 8' garage ceiling the ramp lift works fine for me. As for removing any wheel etc, I run the car on the ramp, I have a small hydraulic scissor jack that I put under the side rail just like the OEM jack. 3 pumps and the wheel is off the ramp. I stuff a few 2x8's under the rail for safety and pull the wheel.
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06-12-2009, 10:57 AM
#35
I have one of the same systems Robert has, he actually saw mine and bought his. Would I like a full 4 post lift, you bet. but since I have a 8' garage ceiling the ramp lift works fine for me. As for removing any wheel etc, I run the car on the ramp, I have a small hydraulic scissor jack that I put under the side rail just like the OEM jack. 3 pumps and the wheel is off the ramp. I stuff a few 2x8's under the rail for safety and pull the wheel.
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06-12-2009, 11:06 AM
#36
The scissor table lifts I posted will hopefully be mine for less than $500 though. When just purchasing my fixer-upper first house, I gotta watch the additional expenses!
What I'm hoping is to be able to turn them sideways and pull in/out of the garage w/ no problems, and when I need them, turn them the other and and be able to pull up on them w/ some wooden ramps.
What I'm hoping is to be able to turn them sideways and pull in/out of the garage w/ no problems, and when I need them, turn them the other and and be able to pull up on them w/ some wooden ramps.
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06-12-2009, 11:22 AM
#37
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So far, I've only been killed once while working under jackstands, and it's because I was being stupid. Maybe someday I'll buy a two-post lift. Actually, that envirolift looks pretty sexy. Any idea how much they cost?
EDIT: Nevermind. I found out how much they cost. More than my car. And my bike. Combined.
EDIT: Nevermind. I found out how much they cost. More than my car. And my bike. Combined.
I'm just sick and tired of messing with jacks and stands. I have a very low saddle jack and a good quality wide driveway, but have too many cars IN the driveway most of the time. This causes many problems attempting to jack up the car from the sides.
It'll be worth the expense saving me 25 minutes of cursing and freaking out thinking I'm going to knock my car off the stands attempting to get it up level.. Plus the stands don't get it high enough I can stand under it and work.. Whats up with that ****?
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06-12-2009, 12:09 PM
#38
Boost Pope
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Some ideas are just nutty. Examples would be the concept of transmitting a human voice over a distance of hundreds of miles without wires, constructing a computer powerful enough to plot the trajectory of a ballistic rocket and yet small enough to fit into a single room, producing light without the use of combustible materials, and of course, this idea:
What if you could raise your car up into the air high enough to host a square-dancing class under it, without having any beams, posts or ramps in the way?
Here is an electric hoist:
This particular unit is rated to dead-lift 1,100 lbs straight into the air at a speed of 16 feet per minute. This hoist costs $160 from Northern Tool, so four of them would cost $640.
Here is an A-36 structural steel channel, measuring 6" wide by 2" deep with 1/4" webbing. Parts of this sort are commonly used to build truck chassis, foundations for homes, etc.:
Two eight foot lengths of this material would cost around $150-$200, with a weight of ~80 lbs each.
How strong is the ceiling of your garage?
What if you could raise your car up into the air high enough to host a square-dancing class under it, without having any beams, posts or ramps in the way?
Here is an electric hoist:
This particular unit is rated to dead-lift 1,100 lbs straight into the air at a speed of 16 feet per minute. This hoist costs $160 from Northern Tool, so four of them would cost $640.
Here is an A-36 structural steel channel, measuring 6" wide by 2" deep with 1/4" webbing. Parts of this sort are commonly used to build truck chassis, foundations for homes, etc.:
Two eight foot lengths of this material would cost around $150-$200, with a weight of ~80 lbs each.
How strong is the ceiling of your garage?
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06-12-2009, 12:24 PM
#39
Not to kill your outside of the box thinking, but virtually no one will have enough ceiling capacity to hang a car from, plus no way I would get under a suspended car without a way to lock it out. Heck, even the 2 and 4 post lifts in professional shops have locking bars to prevent the car coming down in the event of a failure, and they are "designed" for this application.
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