Do they make such a car lift?

[greazzer]

Started the "Google-ing" process, but wanted to solicit any "real" experience.

I do NOT have enough ceiling height for a real lift. I have access to number of lifts, but it's not worth the headaches sometimes driving there (assumes I can drive my car there), rushing to get stuff done during certain hours, et cet.

So, has anyone used those "mini-type" of lifts which lift the car around 36" in the air? They did not look too stable, but I want something robust ... I need to hit YouTube a little harder.

Thanks in advance.

[TX76513]

BendPak Lifts makes exactly what you are looking for in both narrow and short lifts. I have always referred to these as alignment lifts.

[Steve_in_NV]

This is what I use, Maxjax. Reasonably priced, works well and is safe. I do have a high ceiling, but it may work with regular garage. It is able to be torn down and stored when not in use, that's where mine is now.

[Maki]

I have a mid-rise scissors lift set up, and I rarely use it. I've got it bolted to the floor but it still feels unsteady. I think it should be anchored in footings to be really sturdy. Plus, the structure of the lift leaves little room to access much of the underside of the car. It has only one hydraulic cylinder, which creates part of the access problem. Can't tell you the brand, as it's actually my brother-in-law's, on permanent loan from when he was cleaning out his garage.

I prefer the Kwik Lift I bought used several years ago. It supports the car level about 20 inches off the ground, providing about 28 inches of workspace under the chassis. It also has a jack platform so you can set the car on stands while it's on the lift, so you can pull the wheels to work on suspension, brakes, etc. On concrete the car is rock steady while elevated.

Here are some photos of the Kwik Lift in use. Question for kwiklift users - Corvette Forum

[greazzer]

thanks. I see where there are model types where you drive on ramps, but I don't think those are too practical for my needs as you cannot take off a tire, for example. I want something which jacks from the front rail and rear suspension point, for example. The real zinger for me is the stability on the unit and then space. Going over 2 feet in the air is more than enough.

[Stretch]

There are lifts designed for the spit and polish boys to get a vehicle at the height you say so it is easier to clean and detail.

These things look like a cross between a scissor jack and a set of ramps. They will get four wheels off the deck but because the lifting mechanism is under the car (between the four wheels) it is kind of in the way for removing propshafts...

...do an image search for "detailing car lift" if this floats your boat.

[Maki]

Originally Posted by greazzer

thanks. I see where there are model types where you drive on ramps, but I don't think those are too practical for my needs as you cannot take off a tire, for example. I want something which jacks from the front rail and rear suspension point, for example. The real zinger for me is the stability on the unit and then space. Going over 2 feet in the air is more than enough.

The ramps come with a center bridge that you can use to jack up the car with a bottle or scissors jack and put it on stands once it's elevated and leveled. This page on the company website shows some pix: KWIKLIFT - The perfect carlift for your home garage or commercial shop

One nice "storage" feature is that you can detach the ramps from their elevated base, drop them to the floor and simply drive over them when you want to park in the garage. Each ramp weighs about 150 pounds, so they don't shift much, especially when they're linked together with the torque tube. The whole thing must weigh close to 500 pounds, so it's extremely stable.

[greazzer]

Thanks again. Let me double check. I will hit You Tube to see if anyone posted a video of these in action. My biggest fear is not having something which is virtually bullet proof when it comes to safety.

[Stretch]

I don't know if they have this design in the US but I quite like this one =>



You've got two metal trays for the scissor jack free end to ride on and there's a rack and pinion-like ratchet design to stop the scissor from collapsing. As it has two scissor jacks on separate platforms you could get a propshaft out of the way and possibly a transmission out that way too.

[myarmar]

I have low clearance in my garage too and I use Nussbaum Sprinter lift for many years. It is very similar to the one from Stretch.
Mike

SPRINTER | Mid-Rise Lift | Nussbaum Automotive Solutions

http://www.nussbaum-group.de/english/privacy-policy/download_file.html?sse_idupl=19866

[gatorblue92]

Originally Posted by Maki

The ramps come with a center bridge that you can use to jack up the car with a bottle or scissors jack and put it on stands once it's elevated and leveled. This page on the company website shows some pix: KWIKLIFT - The perfect carlift for your home garage or commercial shop

One nice "storage" feature is that you can detach the ramps from their elevated base, drop them to the floor and simply drive over them when you want to park in the garage. Each ramp weighs about 150 pounds, so they don't shift much, especially when they're linked together with the torque tube. The whole thing must weigh close to 500 pounds, so it's extremely stable.

This would have been very nice to have for my two transmission swaps.

[strelnik]

Originally Posted by greazzer

thanks. I see where there are model types where you drive on ramps, but I don't think those are too practical for my needs as you cannot take off a tire, for example. I want something which jacks from the front rail and rear suspension point, for example. The real zinger for me is the stability on the unit and then space. Going over 2 feet in the air is more than enough.

There are ramp-type four post lifts that also have jacks so you can lift the car and do brakes