DIY affordable car "Lift" Idea.

[Rusty Heap]

Kinda serious thinking of putting one of these out by my Barn. I've got 5 acres so no eyesore here.

While not a full lift, this would work great to work on many vehicles that frequent my obode.... Local Chevy dealership is selling 4 of their Car Display Stands, and two long ramps, for $1000 ea.

I may go kick some steel tomorrow at lunchtime.

Kinda cool idea, I'd fab up a rolling tool jack tray to go along and in between the Upper Parking area to get wheels off the ground.

I'd buy one for you but shipping may be steep.


How would YOU modify one of these if you had one? Heck I'll put 8 foot LED fixtures underneath for total underbody illumination. hmmmmm, what else?


https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1454660902097929/?referralSurface=messenger_lightspeed_banner&referralCode=messenger_banner

[unclebilly]

The height is pretty low for doing any serious work unless you put it over a shallow pit.

A 4 post hoist is not that expensive.

[john70t]

Those don't look too stable either. Miss the ramp and ...

[sc_rufctr]

I've driven many cars on to those in the past (worked as a car salesman 30+ years ago).

- They work very well and they're stable but as stated above they may not be high enough.

[Noah930]

That wouldn't work for me, IMO. It would take 2 people to get a car up on that. Someone to drive, and someone to spot. I usually don't have a second person available when working on cars.

[Rusty Heap]

Cool thing is looking at them is free!

[Mike80911]

I had a Kwik Lift before I installed my scissor lift It worked great just took up a lot of room in my small garage. Real easy to use and drive up onto.

[Zeke]

I would do that given the room you have. Height is an issue with a lot of lifts. Seems like a rolling stool solves the problem.

As you know, 4 post lifts pose problems with wheel, suspension and brake work. But they have add on parts to lift the car up off the ramps. If you can safely make those parts you will have an all-around lift!

Those have lived outside so check them out thoroughly.

[jyl]

Seem expensive for what they are?

A two post or four post lift is not much more; a used one can be less.

I’m getting a used but good condition two post lift for $3,000 installed (plus wiring up) in my space.

[3rd_gear_Ted]

A service pit is a cool place on a hot day.
They also works for Boats, Tractors, etc.

[Icemaster]

I'd spend the extra $400 and buy a Quickjack.

[Rusty Heap]

Went and looked at them. 2x3" Legs yes are on the short side, But all I'd need to do is weld on 2' extensions to make it taller and clear my 6' noggin.

[rfuerst911sc]

I purchased a used Ammco branded Challenger 7k 2 post lift for $1000.00 . Much more versatile than a ramp lift . Used deals are out there if you are patient and ready to purchase when they do become available .

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Those things are awesome. Go for it!

[Tim Hancock]

I have owned a BendPak 6000lb scissor lift for about 20 years and it served me well but awhile back I luckily found the square tubing frame rusted all the way thru due to years of water intrusion when washing vehicles sometimes with road salt on them.

I told the wife it was gonna be a pain to fix by cutting out rust and welding in new metal.... She said to just buy a new lift for god's sake.

My new 10k Aplus asymmetric lift with top cross bar just arrived to my place of work yesterday and I now have it home sitting on my trailer. It was about $3k total with tax.

It is gonna eat up more space than I like and will be permanent unlike my movable scissors lift, but it is gonna be nice having a civilized lift to walk under.







Plan to mount on a slight angle due to door opening and need to still park daily driver straight in. Lots of re-arranging of cabinets and work bench that presently line both sides of my paintbooth/workshop room. Gonna suck getting everything cleaned up and organized.

[jyl]

Rusty, I'd argue a two post lift, besides being much more useful, takes up less room than the ramps will. When a car is raised on the two-post, you can walk/drive under it. When there's no car on the two-post, there are just the posts.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Rusty Heap

Went and looked at them. 2x3" Legs yes are on the short side, But all I'd need to do is weld on 2' extensions to make it taller and clear my 6' noggin.

If you do the math then you will have to extend the ramps much longer. That means re-engineering them. At this point I join the others, buy what you want if you want 6' clearance.

From the looks of your layout you can afford what you need.

[Paul T]

Originally Posted by 3rd_gear_Ted

A service pit is a cool place on a hot day.
They also works for Boats, Tractors, etc.

Be careful with local codes surrounding pits, many localities won’t allow them anymore. We had one when I was a kid and it was a godsend….ended up being a DEP nightmare in the end through. We eventually made removable platforms to cover when not in use after a couple close calls with kids falling in (me!).

[jcwade]

A mechanic friend just retired and sold 3 2post lifts for $1000 apiece.

Better deals are out there.

[911 Rod]

My concern with a used lift and it came from a commercial shop and went up and down many times a day. Can you wear them out?