2 post lift wheel adapters

[wnstwolf]

I believe there is a thread from a craftsman on this site that shows how you can convert a 2 post lift to allow you to lift a car by the tires. That guy machined some beautiful adapters that looked very professional. Also believe some Mohawk lifts have these adapter available. Over on another site I follow I came across this. It is a bit scary to see but looks like it works.. Well untill it does not.

Be careful out there...

 

[killahog]

Wolf are you contomplating building a set of these or just sharing the images for others?

 

[wnstwolf]

Just sharing. I love the idea but a ton or two of weight over my head is something I rather have sitting on the lift as it was designed not altered like this.

That said if bendpak had adapters that were affordable that were made for my lift I would get them.

 

[ADSR]

Those adaptors do not look professional by any means. The welds look like seagull poop. I wouldn't be under there.

 

[mustangmike6996]

Nope. I wouldnt get under that.

What is the point of that anyway? Flatspot the tires from prolonged sitting on the adaptor, cant service the suspension... not to mention that it doesnt look safe whatsoever

 

[lakeroadster]

Yeah, very poor welding on a design that leaves me

I'm more curious about the car. It looks like somebody put a car body over another car body and neither has a frame?

This is the thread of wierdness

 

[sublimate]

I'm more curious about the car. It looks like somebody put a car body over another car body and neither has a frame?

This is the thread of wierdness

Looks like a Jaguar IRS - maybe a Jag XJ-S?
Think the extra "body" is just a car cover.

 

[lakeroadster]

I see. Thanks.

 

[toplessHO]

I first saw the gorilla welds then looking at the last picture it looks like the angle iron
is sagging under weight.
Not a bad idea if executed a little better. Many times Ive wished mine had this for just doing an oil change .

 

[DTE]

Looks like a good idea, those in the photos are deadly with the welding done on them, A wheel lift arm from a wrecker or roll back would be a good place to look for build dimensions.

 

[tomsmith]

That's actually a pretty intriguing idea.

Look at these beauties!! Wow..

http://rennlist.com/forums/993-forum/687181-wheel-engaging-adaptors-for-car-lift-2.html

 

[HAP]

I'm pretty sure I will be building a version of these. There are some obvious improvement opportunities that I will incorporate.

R,
HAP

 

[wnstwolf]

Yes it's a jag etype. One issue with them is the irs is held in place with rubber mounts like engine mounts. With a two post lift and old unrestored car the rear is at risk of dropping out. I use tripod supports under mine but do like the idea of what this guy came up with. Just not the execution. Agree the angle iron looks to be drooping or maybe just welded out of alignment. All looks a bit "rushed".

 

[wnstwolf]

Tom smith that link is just what I was talking about. Thanks. Should of known it was a porsche guy. His version I would pay money for!

 

[toplessHO]

Yes it's a jag etype. One issue with them is the irs is held in place with rubber mounts like engine mounts. With a two post lift and old unrestored car the rear is at risk of dropping out. I use tripod supports under mine but do like the idea of what this guy came up with. Just not the execution. Agree the angle iron looks to be drooping or maybe just welded out of alignment. All looks a bit "rushed".

and definitely wouldnt use 2x2 angle iron
4x4 would be better

 

[wolverine22391]

I have checked and the mohawk wheel adapters are roughly 2000.

 

[HAP]

I have checked and the mohawk wheel adapters are roughly 2000.

And that's why people endeavor to build their own. That's 2/3's the cost of a new lift.

 

[Worsedog]

Actually the engineering is fairly sound. If you look closely you'll see that the angle iron has been boxed. It is the execution that is lacking.

As wnstwolf pointed out there are some vehicles that do not care to be frame or pinch weld lifted. Also most of the guys I know that do custom exhaust prefer the car to be at ride height when they build.

Obviously as pointed out, you wouldn't store a car on the set up, but it is sound for a number of operations.

 

[lakeroadster]

Those are nice. This design results in a much larger torsional load on the lift arms than they would see in their intended use. There's no doubt a reason the lift manufacturer's don't make these. I imagine it is that it de-rates the lift capacity significantly.

 

[kellymc]

Actually, Mowhawk has a patent on the design, it expires soon so we will likely be seeing wheel adapters from other manufacturers once the patent expires

 

[ADSR]

I imagine it is that it de-rates the lift capacity significantly.

I agree. I see no point to using these unless all you work on is lowered race cars or lowriders.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I believe there is a thread from a craftsman on this site that shows how you can convert a 2 post lift to allow you to lift a car by the tires. That guy machined some beautiful adapters that looked very professional. Also believe some Mohawk lifts have these adapter available. Over on another site I follow I came across this. It is a bit scary to see but looks like it works.. Well untill it does not.

Be careful out there...

Holy ****, those **** welds are a failure waiting to happen. Looks like the one on the right rear wheel is beginning to fail already. When the car falls on him I hope the car don't get too damaged, so his widow can sell the car for enough to pay for a nice funeral.

Chris

 

[rburke65]

Lakeroadster, a lift mfg. does make them....Mohawk.

 

[killahog]

The design actually works as far as the welding goes Just one picture is probably not giving a complete picture . What came to my mind was why couldn't someone design a wheel hub based bracket to lift with. It would certainly take longer but if the wheels were removed and the existing wheel hub studs were used there would be no chance of the vehicle falling from the support .

 

[zkdiesel]

The design actually works as far as the welding goes Just one picture is probably not giving a complete picture . What came to my mind was why couldn't someone design a wheel hub based bracket to lift with. It would certainly take longer but if the wheels were removed and the existing wheel hub studs were used there would be no chance of the vehicle falling from the support .

Way to much time involved in that. Nobody would ever use that in a real world application. 40 min to rack a car by the time your done messing around? No way

 

[toplessHO]

another bonus is it will increase the lift height of the vehicle.

 

[HAP]

another bonus is it will increase the lift height of the vehicle.

Good and bad. On the overhead brace lifts you might reach the safety shut-off with less lift travel. This would mean that the arms will be lower and one might hit their head on them more often than usual. There are definitely times where they would be helpful...

 

[lakeroadster]

Lakeroadster, a lift mfg. does make them....Mohawk.

I stand corrected... If you have a Mohawk lift, and are using Mohawk wheel adapters you're good to go.

If you don't and are retrofitting another lift with wheel adapters, you need to do the due diligence to make sure the lift and your adapters aren't overstressed.

Update 02-10-2015 & 02-11-2015:

I created a CAD model, using the arm on my 10K Rotary lift for dimensional data. Using FEA I loaded the arm in its standard configuration and with the wheel adapter configuration. I was surprised to see that the resulting stresses were only minimally higher than stresses using the standard lift arm end brackets.

I am speculating this is because these lifts are built with such a high safety factor.

As expected however the governing stress locations moved dramatically. Proceed at your own risk. I would not use wheel adapters on any lift unless they were made by the lift manufacturer, for their lift.

Std Arm CAD Model


Std Arm FEA


Std Arm With Wheel Adapter FEA

 

[bad311]

I agree. I see no point to using these unless all you work on is lowered race cars or lowriders.

Actually these would be good for lifting unibody cars while installing subframe connectors.

Also for using a two post lift for to park a car under the lifted car. Keeps the suspension loaded while lifted.

 

[broncorick]

I was just going to say it looks like an e-type and I am contemplating making a set just for that reason (I have a couple of e-types I am restoring). And it would ease lifting the car at times for engine service, muffler etc.. Not many lift points on an e-type. SO if I make a set I will document and try to make prettier!!

 

[broncorick]

From their site it does not seem to be a special lift use item, so I would think that any lift would work, the only caveat would be if it is a 10,000# lift I would not try to lift the full rated load, maybe 1/5 of that.

 

[Ries]

So here we are 5yrs later... where does this stand? I really like the idea and I’m looking at Mohawk lifts now specifically because of the wheel adaptor feature. I like the idea for subframe connector installs, exhaust work, and the ability to store a car for a longer period of time if necessary.

I saw mention of the patent with Mohawk. I haven’t seen anyone else coming out with this option. Is the patent still active?

I saw some sketchy DIY versions of these made and have contemplated making my own, but having ones from the lift manufacturer would make me more at ease knowing they were designed to work with the lift.

 

[firebirdparts]

I am thinking about building a set, but I will be cross-connecting mine so that there isn't a weird torsional load on the arm. I don't have a Mohawk.

A really specific benefit of these is tightening up new control arm bushings. I always do it "right" and it's total misery. Score a point for 4 post lifts on that job.

 

[MikeF2316]

I am thinking about building a set, but I will be cross-connecting mine so that there isn't a weird torsional load on the arm. I don't have a Mohawk.

A really specific benefit of these is tightening up new control arm bushings. I always do it "right" and it's total misery. Score a point for 4 post lifts on that job.

This is my thought too. Most suspension bolts should be tightened with weight on the wheels.

Plus a real benefit in the rust belt. Theoretically, it should cut down on pickup truck folding in half when you lift them!

 

[Ries]

Yes, I agree on the suspension work as well. I had to replace all the front suspension on my brothers Infiniti M35X and it was quite the PITA getting everything torqued properly. Having a setup like this would have been amazing. Hence another reason I want this setup. Mohawk rep is looking into this for me and is calling me tomorrow. I have a feeling I’m going to end up designing my own.