Car lift - is it worth it when you're old

[jetlag]

I installed my lift about eight years ago, and use it regularly. At least 2x every month if not weekly. I'll be 70 in a couple of months, like most guys, I only wish I'd bought a lift sooner. Mostly, I'm doing routine maintenance, brakes and suspension for several cars in my extended family. Last month, I installed new running boards on my 3/4 ton Ram pickup. Some things are easier with a 2 post, but there are always work arounds, and folks need to buy the tools that work for their particular needs.

 

[TerryH]

I'm 64 and I'd have a 4 post in a heartbeat if I had the ceiling height in my shop to suppport one which I do not. I opted for the next best thing, Quick Jacks. 1000 times better/easier than floor jacks and jack stands. Certainly not as good as a real lift but makes life easier for me for sure. Will lift the car 24" at the rocker panels. As often as this freakin' Maverick is apart I appreciate having them.

 

[LOW1]

Gawd I hate my indecisiveness................. it's not about money, it's about doing what's "sensible", if that makes sense.

You bought a Jeep and now want to be sensible? The sensibility ship sailed a long time ago.

Buy the thing.

 

[Notgrownup]

Who is this question directed at?

The OP. We still don’t have a picture right.

 

[logical]

I'm curious why someone would decide on a 4 post over a 2 post. Seems like you can do so much more with a 2 post and the cost seems lower for a 2 post as well. I am mentioning this since I am in the decision making stage of what to buy. Looking for answers for what to put into my new to me 30x60 garage. Wife has already said, "When are you getting a lift?" Delaying is not the right response at this point. LOL!

I went with the type that I wanted. I hope we don't turn this into another tedious 2 vs 4 post thread. The only thing worse is a drywall vs OSB walls thread.

 

[Old Man Roger]

I went with the type that I wanted. I hope we don't turn this into another tedious 2 vs 4 post thread. The only thing worse is a drywall vs OSB walls thread.

100 men vs a gorilla.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Ketchup on a hot dog.

 

[Old Man Roger]

PVC air line.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Harbor freight vs aaaahhhh you get what I’m sayin.lol

 

[racecougar]

I went with the type that I wanted. I hope we don't turn this into another tedious 2 vs 4 post thread. The only thing worse is a drywall vs OSB walls thread.

Amen!

 

[Imatk]

Mig vs Tig? Is that a good one?

 

[UpstateNY]

To recap, I installed the Direct Lift 8K model. The bridge jack weighs about 300 lbs and rests on the runways with nylon sliders. I lift fairly heavy weights at the YMCA every 3 days so I don't think I'm particularly weak, but I am 69 years old. It's damn near impossible for me to slide that thing.

Does anyone have any secrets on how to more easily slide the bridge jack ? Is there any lube that can safely be applied between the runway and the nylon sliders that won't negatively affect the nylon? TIA.

 

[racecougar]

Assuming your 8K has the treadplate style runways? The jacks slide easily on the smooth "pebble" finish runways (as found on the 9K).

You could try a dry lube with PTFE.

 

[UpstateNY]

RC,

Yes, treadplate style runways . I'll try PTFE, thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Old Man Roger]

This might be a little over kill, but a strip of polyethylene maybe? It would have to go the length of the lift, but I bet it would slide easier. I don’t think I’d want to spray anything slippery on the surface where I’m sure I’d slip on.

 

[UpstateNY]

I'll look into polyethylene strips and see if they have one with a good adhesive on it. Thanks.

 

[Old Man Roger]

I'll look into polyethylene strips and see if they have one with a good adhesive on it. Thanks.

If it’s thick enough, you could counter sink some screws.

 

[racecougar]

Yeah, I would drill and tap the runways if going that route. You don't want it moving around.

Regarding the lube, if you decide to try it, definitely don't spray it all over the runways.

 

[kngelv]

I use Bel Ray 6 in 1 on the nylon sliders for the posts of my Backyard Buddy lift. I think it would work well for your application. Unfortunately that lift is poorly designed for sliding jacks. I have no idea why they still use that design. They should have inner channels on all the runways like everyone else does now.

James

 

[Old Man Roger]

Maybe some creative use of vinyl plank flooring?

 

[UpstateNY]

Ok, it's official, I'm an idiot. The width of the bridge jack is adjustable to fit any 4 post lift. When I dropped it in I had adjusted it for the width between the runways. As it turns out it was exactly the width between the runways, so it was sort of wedged in there. Re-adjusted it and sprayed some PTFE under the nylon pads for giggles as Racecougar suggested and it slides like butter.

I still don't like that the jack tray rests on the same runway but does not have nylon pads underneath them as does the bridge jack, it makes no sense. I'll remedy that soon.

 

[racecougar]

Glad to hear you worked it out. I was going to ask how you had it adjusted, but didn't want to come off rude or anything.

I'd drill and tap the tray for nylon sliders like the jack.

 

[UpstateNY]

Glad to hear you worked it out. I was going to ask how you had it adjusted, but didn't want to come off rude or anything.

I'd drill and tap the tray for nylon sliders like the jack.

Yep, already ordered the nylon sliders for the jack tray. Will drill, tap and countersink.

 

[maxpower_hd]

I say anything that helps keeps you stay active and working on your own stuff is worth the money. The benefits are not just financial. Making things easier for yourself to stay in the game and wrenching on your toys is therapeutic and worth the money in my opinion. It is value added as they say. Unless the purchase is going to strap you in some other area I would spend it. You can't take it with you...lol

 

[brit vet]

How many times have you banged your head so far?

That beautiful Corvette deserves your new lift and now the underside can be as clean as the topside with ease.

One of mine

 

[UpstateNY]

Haven't banged my head yet, just my ankle on the ramp, major ouchie. But I suppose there's a reason they make these things out of steel. Gonna change the trans fluid and check on the diff fluid today on the Vette. Also building a sliding oil pan shelf and adding a master safety shutoff switch. Bad things might happen if the momentary contact switch were to fail. Nice Vette, I had a 65 and a 67 once upon a time.

 

[johnsonrd]

Delete me.

 

[UpstateNY]

As promised, here's a couple of pics. 2nd one is a 59 Vette with independent rear suspension. You don't see that every day !

Car specs: All aluminum LS3, 500 hp at the wheels, Tremec 6 speed, IRS, Dana rear end, A/C, PS/PB, 2,850 lbs or so. Only thing from 1959 is the body, all else is new. It has a custom frame, tubular suspension etc. Those are not whitewall tires, they're whitewall rims with low profile tires.

Rear tires have a short life, corners like a slot car. It's a wolf in sheep's clothing.

 

[Byrdnyrd]

Bust my Buttons!! That is an amazing vehicle!!

and you Fiddle-diddled about getting a lift???

I would stand under that thing all day!!!

wishing you MANY years of LIFTJOY!

cheers,
BN

 

[UpstateNY]

BN.

I can fiddle-diddle over getting a haircut ! Spent a few hours going over the car and found one of the mounting bolts on the starter was loose. That would've gotten ugly eventually, and something I never would've discovered w/o the lift until bad noises emerged. Driving up onto to the ramps still freaks me out a bit, I had the wife out there to assist. Playing with lining up some mirrors to assist, but the fender is high on the Vette given the low seating position so I can't see the tire/ramp position well enough.

Again, thanks to all for the prodding and encouragement.

 

[Demon69]

BN.

I can fiddle-diddle over getting a haircut ! Spent a few hours going over the car and found one of the mounting bolts on the starter was loose. That would've gotten ugly eventually, and something I never would've discovered w/o the lift until bad noises emerged. Driving up onto to the ramps still freaks me out a bit, I had the wife out there to assist. Playing with lining up some mirrors to assist, but the fender is high on the Vette given the low seating position so I can't see the tire/ramp position well enough.

Again, thanks to all for the prodding and encouragement.

Dont worry, you'll get over that in a week or few.
Good find on the starter bolt, is worth going over everything. I bought a pickup with "Built not bought!" along the bottom of the number plate, kinda wish he had bought it as near everything (including suspension) was way loose

 

[UpstateNY]

Glad to hear you worked it out. I was going to ask how you had it adjusted, but didn't want to come off rude or anything.

I'd drill and tap the tray for nylon sliders like the jack.

Amazon had some nylon sliders that fit perfectly with no trimming, so the jack tray is all sorted out. Still got to install the lights and the master kill switch.

 

[Old Man Roger]

BN.

I can fiddle-diddle over getting a haircut ! Spent a few hours going over the car and found one of the mounting bolts on the starter was loose. That would've gotten ugly eventually, and something I never would've discovered w/o the lift until bad noises emerged. Driving up onto to the ramps still freaks me out a bit, I had the wife out there to assist. Playing with lining up some mirrors to assist, but the fender is high on the Vette given the low seating position so I can't see the tire/ramp position well enough.

Again, thanks to all for the prodding and encouragement.

Give yourself a guide so you don’t need help getting on the lift. Some people use lasers that line up with the center of the car.

I don’t know about the ls3, but the ls1 had an issue with the starter coming loose and breaking the block. If I remeber correctly there was a brace you could install to keep it from happening.

 

[Old Man Roger]

Oh ya, crazy wheels.

 

[mikedodge]

Give yourself a guide so you don’t need help getting on the lift. Some people use lasers that line up with the center of the car.

I don’t know about the ls3, but the ls1 had an issue with the starter coming loose and breaking the block. If I remeber correctly there was a brace you could install to keep it from happening.

Once you get used to placement you can also use the post and the side of the platform as your guide.

 

[finn]

I'm curious why someone would decide on a 4 post over a 2 post. Seems like you can do so much more with a 2 post and the cost seems lower for a 2 post as well. I am mentioning this since I am in the decision making stage of what to buy. Looking for answers for what to put into my new to me 30x60 garage. Wife has already said, "When are you getting a lift?" Delaying is not the right response at this point. LOL!

One word answer: Knees.

I have both a couple of four posts and a 10k two post. If one had to go away it would be, without question, the two post.

That said, a two post is better than no lift at all.

 

[Old Man Roger]

One word answer: Knees.

I have both a couple of four posts and a 10k two post. If one had to go away it would be, without question, the two post.

That said, a two post is better than no lift at all.

Two post is more convenient once it up though.

 

[UpstateNY]

Give yourself a guide so you don’t need help getting on the lift. Some people use lasers that line up with the center of the car.


I'll google around and see if there's a laser I could use. The Vette has a ridge down the middle of the hood that would be perfect to line up with. Have to make sure I don't get one that's too powerful, I'd hate to slice the car in half !

 

[Swanny1953]

Here is the laser I use to line up my cars - works great.
OXLasers Adjustable 5V 650nm Red... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D77QY9MV?tag=atomicindus08-20
Before that, I had marked the left runway with small strips of painters tape for each vehicle.
You won’t be unhappy with your lift purchase. I bought my first 4-post lift 8 years ago after living with a Quick Jack for many years. I only have a 10’ ceiling where it is placed, but I can work on the Corvettes standing up and the other vehicles using a rolling stool.
I also installed a master shutoff switch JIC. This is the one I used. Woodstock D4159 220-Volt Paddle... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005W17HSA?tag=atomicindus08-20
I too have a C1 restomod - LS376-480, T56, donor ‘85 corvette suspension grafted to a C1 frame back in the early 2000’s, now all coil overs.

Can’t believe you did so much mental ************ before pulling the trigger!! You’ll be kicking yourself for not pulling the trigger years sooner!!
Some more info about lift installation and the C1 in my build thread referenced in my sig.

 

[UpstateNY]

Here is the laser I use to line up my cars - works great.
OXLasers Adjustable 5V 650nm Red... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D77QY9MV?tag=atomicindus08-20
Before that, I had marked the left runway with small strips of painters tape for each vehicle.
You won’t be unhappy with your lift purchase. I bought my first 4-post lift 8 years ago after living with a Quick Jack for many years. I only have a 10’ ceiling where it is placed, but I can work on the Corvettes standing up and the other vehicles using a rolling stool.
I also installed a master shutoff switch JIC. This is the one I used. Woodstock D4159 220-Volt Paddle... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005W17HSA?tag=atomicindus08-20
I too have a C1 restomod - LS376-480, T56, donor ‘85 corvette suspension grafted to a C1 frame back in the early 2000’s, now all coil overs.

Can’t believe you did so much mental ************ before pulling the trigger!! You’ll be kicking yourself for not pulling the trigger years sooner!!
Some more info about lift installation and the C1 in my build thread referenced in my sig.

Gary,

Oh man, I love the your Vette. If I could wave a magic wand I'd change my lil red corvette to your color scheme in a heartbeat, I love black cars. Love the wheels too. We can race, if I win we swap cars ?

I bought a master shutoff very similar to what you used, attached it with a bunch of Neodymium magnets. I also purchased the same laser, the color-band chart shows the 650 nm wavelength they use really pops on the color red. That should allow me to overcome my fear of driving the car off one (or both) of the ramps.

I'll check out your C1 thread. I have a few hundred build photos but I'll drop a couple here. The frame is from a custom builder in Texas, he's a wizard, one of his specialties is C1 vettes since the stock frames are so flimsy. The engine is situated lower than stock to improve handling, and he eliminates the X-member behind the ****** to allow the 6-spd to be installed. The IRS helps stick the car to the ground. The frame and drivetrain are good for 700whp.

Thanks.