Will this lift allow the engine/trans to drop?

[r-mm]

Looking for an excuse to invest in a lift and have an engine drop coming this fall.



Can someone tell me if a lift like this will allow the motor and trans together to come down? Automotive Scissor Lift

Also interested to hear what equipment you all used for your drop and what you'd do differently. I have a pretty good collection of jackstands but none are especially high. This also caught my eye: 1000 lb. Capacity Hydraulic Table Cart

[DRACO A5OG]

It should, long as it is not obstructing the path for the drop.

[Ramp]

I'm looking at similar lifts as well - the Bendpak MD-6XP - more money but Bendpak is quality. I'm a bit wary of Harbor Freight for a lift.

[sundevil64]

It should. I use a bendpack low rise lift, these are the type like you see at tire stores and it works fine. The type you are looking seem to have more clearance.
Plenty of clearance.

[jerhofer]

I used a similar lift for years and it works great for dropping a 911 engine. I made a cradle out of wood to catch the heat exchangers, raised the car up enough to put a jack under the cradle, after making sure everything was unhooked I removed the engine and tranny bolts and then used the lift to raise the car away from the motor. Once the body is high enough, simply pull the jack with the motor and tranny out from under the car.

[LjH]

I have this lift. My friend (993 owner), and I bought two of them about 4 years ago. His was perfect, mine leaks but still works. You will have sufficient clearance for a drop. BUT be aware you will need to build ramps because neither a 993 or a 911 will clear the ramp because of ground clearance. My 911 (86 Cab) is a little tricky to lift because there are no dedicated lift points. His 933 is better suited to the lift. Currently working on an E-Type Jaguar and the lift is useless

[r-mm]

Thanks. Ramp i find that the reviews on HF are useful. Some of my hf purchases notably engine crane and stand, jack stands, have served me as well as any craftsman etc, others such as fake vice grips, are garbage. This one gets great reviews. I verified that the 20% coupon does work with this item. Truck freight is about $100 making it 1179 delivered.

[r-mm]

Originally Posted by LjH

I have this lift. My friend (993 owner), and I bought two of them about 4 years ago. His was perfect, mine leaks but still works. You will have sufficient clearance for a drop. BUT be aware you will need to build ramps because neither a 993 or a 911 will clear the ramp because of ground clearance. My 911 (86 Cab) is a little tricky to lift because there are no dedicated lift points. His 933 is better suited to the lift. Currently working on an E-Type Jaguar and the lift is useless

Thanks this is useful! Im presuming your carrera is stock ride height?

Im a bit confused by the lift points comment. If you took your 911 to a pro porsche shop where would they put the pads on their two post or similar lift? Cant you use the same spots you'd jack from?

[jerhofer]

Originally Posted by LjH

I have this lift. My friend (993 owner), and I bought two of them about 4 years ago. His was perfect, mine leaks but still works. You will have sufficient clearance for a drop. BUT be aware you will need to build ramps because neither a 993 or a 911 will clear the ramp because of ground clearance. My 911 (86 Cab) is a little tricky to lift because there are no dedicated lift points. His 933 is better suited to the lift. Currently working on an E-Type Jaguar and the lift is useless

I had forgotten about the ramps. While I had my first of these types of lifts, I had a new house built. In the new garage I had a recessed area made and set the lift in that area. The recessed area was only a couple inches deep but allowed the arms to swing out to catch the car and I could drive over it.

[LjH]

Yes a shop will spread the arms and lift it, but the pre 993 cars were DESIGNED to be lifted by the two side jack points. Using this lift you cannot easily lift using the front a arm and rear torsion bar mounts like you can with jack stands because the reach on this lift is not long enough.

[jerhofer]

Originally Posted by LjH

Yes a shop will spread the arms and lift it, but the pre 993 cars were DESIGNED to be lifted by the two side jack points. Using this lift you cannot easily lift using the front a arm and rear torsion bar mounts like you can with jack stands because the reach on this lift is not long enough.

After looking closer at the photos, I would agree. Also, as mentioned earlier, I am not sure Harbor Freight is the place to buy a lift. My first scissors lift and my current two post lift are both made by Rotary. I would stick with a brand name like Rotary, Bend Pak, etc. Sure don't want that thing to collapse!!

[rwilner]

Keep in mind the HF lift requires 220v. If you don't have an outlet handy...you'll need to wire one in, so add the cost and pain of that...

here are some 120v alternatives (I'm picking up the 2nd one this wknd)...plus they come with some flexible arms and extensions for other vehicles.

Atlas MR-06 Portable Midrise Lift

Atlas TD6MR Portable Scissor Lift

[Devil Dog Mosport]

Atlas TD6MR Portable Scissor Lift

I have this lift..best purchase I've made in a long time...no more bruised knees and creepy crawlers...

[HelmetHead]

I've got the bendpak scissor lift and it works great for engine drops. A little interference with the gearbox shift input shaft at the rear of the lift but nothing major.

Same lift, different brand for almost 5 years to work under my 912's and 911 Targa. I lowered it just under floor level with the option to cover it.











Otto

[Ramp]

Have you checked the max lift height between the Harbor, Bendpak and Atlas units ? I'm a mid rise unit, 6 inches could be a big difference

[Algernon]

Have you looked at the EZcar lift

EZ CAR LIFT - FREE-STANDING USE-ANYWHERE CAR LIFT! FAST. SAFE. STRONG.EASY.

It looks like it is more compact and gives better access underneath?

[boyt911sc]

r-mm,

The hydraulic lift that I purchased from HF in 1999 is exactly like shown in your picture for @1,100 shipped. Then later a friend bought a similar one with a 20% coupon!!!! It cost him about $850 delivered. The HF lift is not built as nice as a Bend-Pak and costs much less. I considered buying the hydraulic lift a very good decision because it has helped me a lot and saved my back from a pain and strained. Probably the best equipment/tool purchase I made after my air compressor.

It operates at 110 volts using the same electric outlet for my shop vac. It is not as versatile as a 2-post hydraulic lift and the limited ceiling space prevented me from going to the 2-post lift. Overall, I'm happy to have this lift that makes my work more enjoyable as you get older. I do have the wooden ramps to clear it and just right for the kind of work I do with 911's.

Tony

[r-mm]

Thanks very much for all the opinions guys. The lack of 220v, ability to sink it and the fact that I'm a renter means I'm also considering alternatives.

I'm wondering if anyone can comment on what the shopping list would be if I were to subsitute regular rolling jacks and jackstands for the scissor lift? Meaning If i'm going to remove the engine by raising the car up, does the lift on the jack/stands need to be something exceptional? I have some fairly good (3 ton I think) jackstands and whenI max them out on the torsion bar covers I don't get a huge amount of space under the car. Any thoughts on that HF hydraulic table? Would that be a good option? After the 20% discount its priced almost identically to the Pelican Parts jack adapter and will be useful for other things.

[toddu]

You'll most likely need a 20amp circuit, especially once you attempt a go with the car on it.

I've thought of sinking mine. How much height do you loose? ~5 inches?

Todd

Ps - be warned, it's like having a pickup, all your friends and neighbors will want to come over ;-)