PeteZ

Hah!! It seems my physical ability to crawl around underneath a car to render overhead repairs and/or removal/replacement of diffs, transmissions, etc. is now beyond my diminishing capacity without getting all 'stoved' up. This getting old stuff is for the birds!!

I have finally determined to purchase a vehicle lift so as to get a car up and off the floor to work on same without enduring aches and pains .

Many of the enthusiasts and experts on this forum must use these lifts to facilitate easier maintenance and repairs for their cars ... if so, and I'm an old 'coot' too needing advice, please reply.

What are some of the best, and least expensive, car lifts out there? If anyone can provide their recommendation and a website to a reliable and reputable seller, I'd truly appreciate all suggestions .

PeteZ

Johns_65Vette

Hi Pete,

Here is a link to a thread about 2 months ago on lifts. I don't have any personal experience to share, but thought this might help

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ighlight=lifts

Jvmc

Pete,

after much debate on this subject I ended up with a scissor lift. Not idea for overhead work but it has helped me accomplish what I need to do with the car. search the posts, this topic has been beat on several times. there are a few pictures of the scissor lift in My Corvette Photos.....

Glenn's 67 BB Vert

How much and where on the scissors lift--and do you like it??worth the money??-thanks Glenn Nice 58 too

Coves4me

Pete, you are going to luv a lift!!!! At 56, I'm too old to try and roll around the garage floor anymore. I've had my 4-post lift for three years and I wouldn't part with it unless a better one came along. Without it I couldn't have done such things as replace exhaust systems, hand clean the frame, replace clutches and trannys, and replace oil pan gaskets and work on the bottom end of the engine. If you have at least 10-feet to 10-feet-6 inches of height, a lift will work great.

I will tell you that mine came from Gemini Lifts in Fort Worth who makes the majority of them in the US under several different names. Mine ran right at $2,750 installed with aluminum ramps, four grease trays and two jackstand crossmembers. It's powder coated bright red and matches my toolboxes and countertops (also the 59 that sits on the lift).

Go for it and good luck!!

brandenburgbandit

I bought a lift about two years ago and love it. Before deciding on what type of lift (scissor, two post, four post) you need to decide how much room you have to work with and what you will be using it for. I recommend starting by going on ebay and looking at the different types and prices that are offered. I bought a two post lift for $1,650 (sales@completehydraulic.com OR CALL 1-317-736-5094 ) and have been very happy with it.

Plasticman

I have been looking for a "while" for a service lift. So far, I like the Hydra-lift, ASE for the Bend-Pak scissors lift, and the Mohawk asymetrical 2 post. My first choice was a Rotary 2 post in ground lift, but that did not happen (yet).

Note that I am not looking for a 4 post storage lift, but some of these below listed companies might sell them.

Here is the list I have been working from for the past year.

http://www.americanautomotiveequipment.com/index.html
http://www.completehydraulic.com/
http://www.e-autolifts.com/scissortble.html
http://www.targetlifts.com/index.html
http://www.autolift.org/
http://www.americasprideonline.com/a...ries.shtml#9AF
http://www.asedeals.com/lifts2.html
http://www.autotestsys.com/Merchant2...gory_Code=BP2P
http://automotivetools.com/cgi-local...cription=globe
http://www.ben-pearson.com/9000KT-F.shtml
http://www.rb-wholesale.com/add2cartexe.asp?Sku=SP-7X
http://www.bendpak.com/
http://www.chassisliner.com/lifts.cfm
http://www.eagleequip.com/
http://www.gesusa.com/ges4less/index.php
http://www.geminilift.com/
http://www.hydra-lift.com/
http://www.qtetools.com//Lifts.asp?O...OVMTC=standard
http://www.mohawklifts.com/scripts/salesreq.php
http://www.pacetools.com/
http://www.rotarylift.com/
http://www.toolsusa.com/Lifts/index....ifts&WT.srch=1
http://www.toolsource.com/
http://linux1.hse.com/wbr/lifts.htm

Good luck in your search!
Plasticman

jrs 427

They are just 2 convienent not to have. No more dirt falling in your eyes. Don't have to get up to get the wrench you should have in the first place. When it is eye level you get a much better perspective. I would sell the car before the lift.

2toys

Got my 4 post Gemini lift 2 weeks ago, sold under a local tradename. I need it not only for maintenance, but to stack my C-2 and C-5 as the Tahoe had to sit outside [winters coming ].

I have only 9'3" headroom yet can raise the ramps to the 58" position. This is possible as the C-2 goes on top with the top down and the garage door opener is actually inside the cockpit of the car with the w/shield header 4' from the ceiling, This allows just enough room [you need 2 inches] to raise the lift to clear the post lock tabs. No I can't stand erect under the car, but it's high enoguh for most work and I can lower it and use a creeper chair.

The C-5 can't be raised as high due to the rack of the w/shield, it would hit thr opener. It beats working on the ground and now all 4 cars are in the garage. Just wanted to let you know your options for a lower ceiling height.

24695bob

OK...Some facts about ME..
My current age is 62....bad back,bad knees, and due
for surgury on my legs in November so I can walk
more then 300 feet without stopping... in other words I'm in need of Restoration myself...

I have owned a Backyard Buddy 4 post lift for about
15 years...and a Gemini (labeled) for about 5 years...
and a sissors lift for maybe 6-7 years...

3 lifts... !

Backyard Buddy and those with (4 sided posts) are much better then the 3 sided posts that are on my Gemini...HONEST !

I love 4 post lifts...except when I am doing brake work or rotation tires...even with a jacking tray they suck for that kind of work...so I purchased my sissors lift just for that "chore" ....

Downside of MY sissors lift is I have to get down on my hands and knees to set the swing arms under the
frame rails of the cars...(BAD KNEES REMEMBER)..

Cool thing about the 4 posters is they are absolutely great for detailing a car...no more getting down to
clean and wax the rocker panels ...just push a button
and raise the car....

I WISH I discovered these lifts a long long time ago..
when I was a lot younger...too many nights laying on cold floors !

Bob G.
64 72 & 98 Convertibles
76 & 79 Coupes...

Sold the 68 SS 396 Chevelle in April and looking for an El Camino

John McGraw

Pete,

Look at these guys:

http://www.directlift.com/propark7.html

I have owned one of their lifts for almost 5 years, and still ticlked with it! The price is pretty hard to beat as well. Mine has made thousands of trips up and down, and always works flawlessly. Their price includes the casters to move it around, the drip trays, and the jack bridge. Do go ahead and pop for the aluminum ramps, no matter which brand you buy. You can not imagine how much easier it is to schlep the alum ramps around compared to the steel!

Regards, John McGraw

Johns_65Vette

That is a nice one John...I bookmarked that page Thanks.

bweaver999

Did you have their Pro Jack? I always thought a 4 poster would be bad as you can't get the wheels up. Looks like that gets the car off the ground and either front or back off the lift.

How bad is it to move the car on the casters? Seems that might be a bear for an old guy, just have to place it correctly in the first place.

24695bob - Glad to hear that, I have 9' to the rafters, another 1' or so with proper placement.

JohnFromVentura

I have owned a 4 post for about 6 years now and love it (CyTech...nice lift...out of business!).
EDIT: Looks like CyTech is still in business!!! A super great lift!
The new sliding hydraulic axle jacking trays make a very nice addition and solve the only negative of 4 post lifts.
I also have 9 ft to rafters ceiling and it's not enough. I had to cut and brace my trusse's about 1 1/2 ft in the area that interferes with my car. worked out fine.

John McGraw

I am going to buy one of their jacks this year. When I first got my lift, the jacks were running over $800, but now thay have almost cut the price in half, do it is a no-brainer now.

The lift is pretty easy to move, even with a car loaded on it, but it is easier to move unloaded. It is really a 2 person job. Not so much because it is hard to push, but the casters steer on all 4 corners and it can sometimes have a mind all of it's own when moving it. Being able to move it from one shop to another across the drive, or roll it outside when the weather is nice is a great feature. If you have a 7' high garage door, most lifts will not clear to roll out the door. It takes a 8' door to clear the lift when it is up on casters. I would guess that most people never move their lifts, but I move mine quite often between shops. I may pop for a second lift for the other shop, just because they are getting so inexpensive.

Regards, John McGraw

OC-1

http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/m...egory_Code=PSH

came across this lift on the autobodystore forum

mike427

After much research I bought a rebuilt Rotary 2 post asymetrical lift last year. I should have bought it ten years ago! It's perfect for suspension and drivetrain work. With a 4 post the suspension work is not as easy. If I need to I can even do the work sitting down. Be sure to get a couple of tall jack stands. They really come in handy when working on trans or exhaust. Good luck.

Vern66

I just recently bought a Stinger ET model. Fantastic buy as 2 weeks after I bought it, my Differential pinion bearings went. Working while standing is much better than doing this work on a cold garage floor on your back. I made up a bridge that would take my floor stands so that I could have the rear wheels off the lifts ramps. Worked out very well. Best $$$ I've ever spent and I get more storage space in my two car garage. The Stinger ET lifts to a height of 74 inches which exceeds my needs for both storage and working height. Makes under car detailing a delight!

firstgear

had to get a mid rise lift, no more total body stiffness after working in the garage on a weekend..I was tired of not being able to move in the evening....it was $1410 delivered, arrived in 10 days. Shipping weight was around 900 pounds.





Bend-Pak, 6000 pounds lift capacity, see link, this is where I got it from....about 1/2 down the page

http://www.asedeals.com/mid_rise_lift.html

best tool I have bought for my garage yet!!!!

Also got some 4 post lifts.....they are GREAT for lifting the body....



I can lift the body by myself AND I can put it back on in 30 minutes by myself.....works GREAT!!! I have had the body on and off about 8 times since I first pulled it off....just to check this or that in terms of fit and clearances....


used the 4 post lift jack bridge to hang a chain pull to and can easily lift and drop the motor....


Between the mid lift and the 4 post lifts......they are GREAT!!!!

Good Luck!!!!!

regards, Herb

yungn71

I too am in the process of looking for a lift for my garage. So I am reading this thread with great interest. I would like to add a couple of additional questions. I also am in the process of building a new garage that will house the lift. What is the recommended ceiling height for the different types of lifts? Are there front, rear, and side clearances that need to be taken into consideration. I intend to use the lift mostly for working on vehicles. Does the intended function of the lift make one type more appropriate? Thanks again for the information.