Anyone use jacks on their 4-post lifts?

itlogo · Apr 12, 2012

Moving into a new home with a 12' ceiling (finally) and will be getting a lift. Right now, I'm leaning towards the 4-post lifts because I don't want to have to drill into my garage floor to mount a 2-post. But, I work on my cars often enough that taking the tires off is a common task. Is anyone using jacks on their lift or something like the Pro Jack (http://www.directlift.com/Pro-Jack-3500-P45C18.aspx) to get the wheels off of the lift ramps? I know BP has an electric/hydraulic one for twice the price, but concept is the same. Anyone have any home-grown solutions for this?

I don't want to start a 2-post vs 4-post lift discussion. I'm pretty set on the 4-post, so please any advice about the jack is appreciated.

Thanks

glntom · Apr 12, 2012

I have the projack on a direct propark 8. I find it very usable, sure a electric/hydraulic or air over hydraulic would be nice, but it works just fine for me.
My ProPark also came with the sliding jack tray, which I have not used, but would also allow use of a jack under a a-arm, rear end or cross member.

Kev442 · Apr 12, 2012

I just put a regular hydraulic jack under the car just like if it was on the ground. I use my jack tray they included to support the front end using jack stands when the tires are off.

riskyvt · Apr 12, 2012

I purchased an Atlas 4-post lift from Greg Smith Equipment back on March 7th. Picked it up myself in NH to avoid shipping issues, and just this past weekend I stopped back in to buy the RJ-35 jack like the one you link to. This thing weighs in at 350 pounds, has adjustments for lift width and should work out just fine. It's low profile enough when fully down that I could drive right over it with my lowered Chevelle and not touch it. You should be pleased with the jack.

bajones238 · Apr 12, 2012

I see the pro-jack is supported by two outboard angles which bear on the lift tracks. I looked on the web site but don't see a dimension between the outboard angles. I would be interested in one of these if my 4-poster will accommodate it. May I trouble one of you to measure the distance between the faces of the two angles (dimension "D" in the picture below)? Thanks

[edit: looks like the distance is adjustable, so as long as it will stretch to 37 3/4 inches it should work]

472scout · Apr 12, 2012

What's the big deal with drilling in the floor? It's not difficult or expensive to patch before you sell.

$550 is a little pricy. If I couldn't find a better deal I would weld up a platform out of scrap 1/4" tube and plate and use bottle jacks.

tonycastec · Apr 12, 2012

or adapt one of these?
http://www.harborfreight.com/2000-lb-low-profile-transmission-jack-4075.html

glider · Apr 12, 2012

I bought a direct lift and jack about 4 yrs ago and have had no issues. Seems like a lot of money for a jack but pay the money and be done.

glntom · Apr 12, 2012

glider said:
I bought a direct lift and jack about 4 yrs ago and have had no issues. Seems like a lot of money for a jack but pay the money and be done.

Seem like a lot, but every time I use it, it is money well spent.

pmason0 · Apr 12, 2012

I have a bridgejack like the one above but hooks up to the air compressor and a jack tray. So if I want the whole jacked up I jack one end up and put the jack stands in the jack tray at that end let the jack down and slide it down to the other end and jack that end up.

DGC15 · Apr 12, 2012

I got a piece of 8" channel and welded a 4" angle on each end. The angle sets on the tracks. You can slide it to where you want it, put a bottle jack on it and jack the car up. I have 2 of them and put one at the front and one at the back of the car. I jack the car up and put jack stands on the 8" channel to support the car. You can take off all 4 tires.
Cost about $25 of scrap steel and about 1 hour to cut and weld.

Cryptic1911 · Apr 12, 2012

A bridge jack is a must have for a 4 post lift.. I use mine all the time

glider · Apr 13, 2012

I will ad that I do not like being under hoist raising or lowering the jack.

gsport · Apr 13, 2012

I raise the car about 3' then stand two pieces of 4x4 on end under a cross member or bumper, slowly lower the lift until the car raises off the lift, then put jack stands on the runners, raise the lift up lowering the car onto the jack stands.

riskyvt · Apr 13, 2012

bajones238 said:
May I trouble one of you to measure the distance between the faces of the two angles (dimension "D" in the picture below)? Thanks

[edit: looks like the distance is adjustable, so as long as it will stretch to 37 3/4 inches it should work]

Yes, the "angles" as you call them are adjustable, by a LOT. My lift needed them to be at 37.5" to fit and slide freely. There is a set screw(bolt) with a lock nut to tighten when adjusted. If it makes you feel any better, Greg Smith sells for $595, looks like the OP linked to one selling for $550.

bajones238 · Apr 13, 2012

Thanks, that looks like what I need. There is a Greg Smith Equipment in Norcross, Georgia, pretty close to me. I'll give them a call.

riskyvt · Apr 13, 2012

bajones238 said:
Thanks, that looks like what I need. There is a Greg Smith Equipment in Norcross, Georgia, pretty close to me. I'll give them a call.

Very likely that they'll have a lift & jack assembled in their showroom. The NH location did. It's nice to be able to see & touch something you have questions about. Good luck!

volvo · Apr 13, 2012

...
I would stay away from the lifts that use an air bag/bladder, they tend to be bouncy after the lift is made.

mikeyr · Apr 13, 2012

I used the jack tray with a small bottle jack to get the wheels off the ramp and then scissor jacks in the factory jacking point (got 3 scissor jacks for $7 at the local wrecking yard).

glider · Apr 13, 2012

mikeyr said:
I used the jack tray with a small bottle jack to get the wheels off the ramp and then scissor jacks in the factory jacking point (got 3 scissor jacks for $7 at the local wrecking yard).

No offense but this is why I spent the $500. This set up is not for me, be safe.

1320stang · Apr 13, 2012

So, a 4 post lift and then 2 bridge jacks?

Seems like an assymetrical 2 post lift is getting more attractive to me all the time.

rburke65 · Apr 13, 2012

The reason for him not wanting to drill into his concrete floor is because.......HE DON'T WANT TO!

Cryptic1911 · Apr 13, 2012

There's really no need for two bridge jacks. Just use one, and pop some jack stands under the car once it's up

c39er · Apr 13, 2012

I have two RJ7 jacks on my LWB 4 post and really couldn't live with out them. Set up time is FAST! Just did front coils a while back using both jacks to control the lower arms to release the springs. Brake jobs a breeze too.

No pumping a jack handle, no jack stands always ready to go and very safe too. :thumbup:

srmofo · Apr 13, 2012

Cryptic1911 said:
There's really no need for two bridge jacks. Just use one, and pop some jack stands under the car once it's up

this depends on the lift.

our rotary lifts are separated front and rear. You cant roll the jacks from front to back

4 scissor jacks supporting a vehicle...no thanks. Ive seen my share of collapsed scissor jacks both on the side of the highway and once with a customers vehicle (he did it himself). Not to mention tipping over if you jerk or pull to hard on a stubborn fastener.

groucho · Jun 19, 2015

I've had my 4 post 4 around 7-8 yrs and have got by pretty good with bottle jacks or those small $25 floor jacks for lifting. Now that I got a bridge jack from a buddy last night it'll be interesting to see how different things will be.

niferous · Jun 19, 2015

You could always buy their set-up with the manual pump and then add an electric air pump later on if you wanted to upgrade.

http://www.snaponindustrialbrands.com/Cat-20-1-390/electric-pumps-with-solenoid.htm

buzz4041 · Jun 19, 2015

I have a 4 post with 2 bridge jacks and it is great. If you can't swing 2 of them then by all means spring for 1 at least. You will thank me later. I did a suspension lift with big tires on the son truck but the truck tires were to wide for my lift so I took the jacks off the lift a.d just used them on the floor of the other bay. Worked great!

Burl · Jun 20, 2015

I'll be buying a lift in the next few months, and I've been looking at the Greg Smith Atlas 4-post ones. My question is how hard are the jack plates (especially the ones with jacks @ 350 lbs.) to move along the ramps? Wouldn't it be much better to spend another $100 and get the one with rollers?

buzz4041 · Jun 20, 2015

They slide very easy.

sublimate · Jun 21, 2015

Burl said:
I'll be buying a lift in the next few months, and I've been looking at the Greg Smith Atlas 4-post ones. My question is how hard are the jack plates (especially the ones with jacks @ 350 lbs.) to move along the ramps? Wouldn't it be much better to spend another $100 and get the one with rollers?

Depends on the lift. Some lifts (like the Atlas) have diamond plate tops and the jacks slide pretty easy. Others (like BendPak) have a no-slip grit finish which makes sliding much harder.

excavator · Jun 21, 2015

I purchased one rolling jack with my HD-9 Bendpack and then I modded a heavy receiver hitch to fit the lift so I can use 2 jacks on opposite end when needed

ovilla · Jun 22, 2015

I have a BendPak HD9-B (extra wide) with a rolling air jack (RJ-45) and also a jacking bridge. This is a great set up, which will never leave you wanting a two post lift. To get a car fully off the runway ramps, I typically roll the air jack to the rear of my lift, lift up the back end, place jack stands on the jacking tray and then lower my air jack. I then roll the air jack to the front and lift and support the front just with the air jack. This was cheaper than buying two air jacks, which take up a lot of space. Also the jacking bridge makes a great table for putting my oil drain pan or tools on it.

When I only had my lift, I would raise cars on the lift, and then place four big 6-ton jack stands on the floor (fully raised and inside the runways) and then I'd lower the lift/car onto the 6 ton jacks. This was a great way to get started, but keep in mind that you're basically still working on your garage floor.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

jfitz · Oct 27, 2015

I have an HD9 Bendpak with the RJ45 rolling jack. I also got the sliding jack tray and use 2-5 Ton flat bottom axle stands on it. Jack up the car with the RJ45, set it on the two stands and then roll the RJ45 too the other end of the vehicle. Works great

Chris05gto · Nov 19, 2015

I have a HD-9 lift with 2 RJ-45 jacks.......

landlord30 · Nov 19, 2015

excavator said:
I purchased one rolling jack with my HD-9 Bendpack and then I modded a heavy receiver hitch to fit the lift so I can use 2 jacks on opposite end when needed

]

Nice mod on the hitch! :thumbup:

Byrdnyrd · Apr 9, 2021

Funny! I’m looking at that Receiver Mod and thinking “ Why would you need a Class III hitch on a lift??

Took me a bit......but I got it now!!

Cheers,
BN

glentre · Apr 10, 2021

Another vote for a single bridge jack and one jack tray.

Glen

infinkc · Apr 10, 2021

I see people putting a quickjack on the ramps to lift the car. If I ever need to, this is the route I am going. Also can use the quickjack by itself.

https://www.bendpak.com/blog/quickjack-on-four-post-lift/

shaune · Apr 10, 2021

I have a jack tray but no bridge jack so I use 2 bottle jacks and and axle stands. Mine makes me nervous and now I am thinking a bridge jack is something to be saving for

Anyone use jacks on their 4-post lifts?

Member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member