Car lift you can set pinion angle, and adjust suspension at ride height?

Weekiman · Dec 29, 2019

I've been thinking four post, but after reading the archives I'm not sure. For the racers out there what do you use to setup up suspensions at ride height? That's my my main reason for wanting a lift. Wondering if there is a way with a two post so I could do more?

douglawrence42 · Dec 29, 2019

Hopefully someone has a better idea, but my method (one wheel at a time) is to measure center of wheel to wheel arch with the car on the ground. Then lift the car on the 2 post. Then I use a floor jack sitting on a heavy duty table to jack the wheel or hub or whatever I have available up to the previously measured ride height. That doesn’t really help you on pinion angle, but if I was doing that i might make 4 sturdy boxes to set the wheels on.

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firebirdparts · Dec 29, 2019

I think the short answer is no. It’s possible to drop a car on a jack but you need 100% weight on the jacks and zero on the lift. It is possible to safely do this but you can’t easily set a jack under a tire. For this a 4 post is superior.

You can get a two post lift to pick a car up by the tires. That would be the ultimate two post solution.

Weekiman · Dec 29, 2019

Hey thanks, any recommendations on an economy four post of decent quality?

1redTA · Dec 29, 2019

I have seen some adapters for two post lifts that allow a two post to raise the vehicle on the tires. I’d be concerned about raising the rear end to ride height without something preventing the front end of the vehicle from pivoting on the front lift points. I’m thinking of you having a see saw type problem

You would be better off with some ramps or stacked 4x’s to raise the vehicle a little bit off the ground and use a creaper

39CAMC · Dec 29, 2019

Car has to be fully on the wheels and not supported by the left at all.

You can buy/make something like this https://www.gregsmithequipment.com/...81h4vWMoNedBr4VCQcvZyOu1LpgCrDUBoCPRwQAvD_BwE

Or this

https://www.raceramps.com/garage-se...airmiwt7xICOza2mhXUFQZWyPvUMHighoCBWgQAvD_BwE

DaveW

CraigStu · Dec 29, 2019

I do the suspension stuff on the floor. I can't adjust the coil over collars w/ the car on the wheels to change height. I can do some of the alignment adjustments w/ the car on the wheels but not all. Also, I like to roll and bounce the car to settle the suspension after each adjustment, so it would need to come off the lift anyway. Look critically at your suspension adjustments and also realize that the ramps on a 4 post are pretty wide so they might block access.

LS6 Tommy · Dec 29, 2019

Putting the car up on jack stands under the suspension is about the closest you're going to get to being on the ground without using wheel stands or lug/hub adapters.

The floor has to be more or less perfectly level, too.

Tommy

Ironcrow · Dec 29, 2019

I welded 4 stands out of 1 inch tubing. They are 2 foot square at the base, 1 foot square platform on top, about 3 feet tall. I lift the car with a 2 post and set the wheels on the stands. The 2 post is left in position with a small gap to lift pads for safety.

When not in use the stands nest and store in a corner.

djhnsn · Dec 29, 2019

Weekiman said:
Hey thanks, any recommendations on an economy four post of decent quality?

I have a no name 4 post in Spring Hill that will be for sale in a few weeks.

cspcrx · Dec 29, 2019

I lift mine with my Bendpak scissor lift then drop it back down.

rburke65 · Dec 29, 2019

I would think a 4 post lift would be the best n safest way

racerex · Dec 29, 2019

How about on the ground using tire cribs. I built an insert that allows me to go a little higher, as needed. My friend built a slightly higher set for his Factory 5 Cobra.

romoman · Dec 29, 2019

Wheel platforms are the way most race shops do it. That gives you room to work under the car and have some room. Some folks set up the car pulled down and use something like this https://wesburtonperformance.com/pull-down-rigs/

Plastikosmd · Dec 29, 2019

Maybe these? Maybe not worth cost though? (For me=I wouldn’t go any other way)

Jazz1 · Dec 29, 2019

I agree with others. Full weight of complete vehicle has to be on the wheels to set pinion angle. I learned this on my first frame off restoration.

Weekiman · Dec 30, 2019

39CAMC said:
Car has to be fully on the wheels and not supported by the left at all.

Good find! Thanks!

Weekiman · Dec 30, 2019

djhnsn said:
I have a no name 4 post in Spring Hill that will be for sale in a few weeks.

Really

, I'll send ya a PM.

Weekiman · Dec 30, 2019

racerex said:
How about on the ground using tire cribs. I built an insert that allows me to go a little higher, as needed. My friend built a slightly higher set for his Factory 5 Cobra.

I like!

pi_guy · Dec 30, 2019

Doing it right requires scales and level platform that hold scales.

maxpat82 · Dec 30, 2019

2 post lift

and wood cribbing.

or

https://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com/img/group/main/39/3997_1_lg.jpg
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/attachments/car-stand-al-03-jpg.3098245/

many welding shop can built that for cheap

hotrod1968 · Dec 30, 2019

Weekiman said:
I've been thinking four post, but after reading the archives I'm not sure. For the racers out there what do you use to setup up suspensions at ride height? That's my my main reason for wanting a lift. Wondering if there is a way with a two post so I could do more?

This,, yellow not my car. Orange 68 mine. This is how I do on my two post. Complete speedtech suspension frt and rear so lots of adjustments before I got my setup where I wanted.

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clamhammer · Dec 30, 2019

with the exception of bouncing and settling the car, you cant go wrong with the 4 post.

Weekiman · Jan 9, 2020

WOW! Some beautiful cars. Glad I started this thread. Thanks everyone. Read all the posts. I'll probably end up with a four post China lift.

I also found this but pricey.

https://dragracingwheels.com/race-ramps-portable-pit-stop-ramps-14-lift-set-of-2-no-cutouts-rr-pps/

QwikKotaTx · Jan 9, 2020

Keep it cheap.

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Falcon67 · Jan 9, 2020

LS6 Tommy said:
Putting the car up on jack stands under the suspension is about the closest you're going to get to being on the ground without using wheel stands or lug/hub adapters.

The floor has to be more or less perfectly level, too.

Tommy

This. Although, unless your angle is way the hell out of whack, who cares. I've had several race cars and never once set pinion angle. Bad pinion angle is when the rear end yoke is pointing at the ground. All you really need is it to not be directly in line. If the trans tail and rear yoke are not pointing directly at each other, it should be good enough.

Weekiman · Jan 9, 2020

Falcon67 said:
This. Although, unless your angle is way the hell out of whack, who cares. I've had several race cars and never once set pinion angle. Bad pinion angle is when the rear end yoke is pointing at the ground. All you really need is it to not be directly in line. If the trans tail and rear yoke are not pointing directly at each other, it should be good enough.

Good to know, also wanting to adjust my roll bar links and coil overs.

39CAMC · Jan 9, 2020

Falcon67 said:
This. Although, unless your angle is way the hell out of whack, who cares. I've had several race cars and never once set pinion angle. Bad pinion angle is when the rear end yoke is pointing at the ground. All you really need is it to not be directly in line. If the trans tail and rear yoke are not pointing directly at each other, it should be good enough.

I only have experience with road race and autocross cars, but on those, pinion angle is pretty important for maximizing corner exit grip. If you have a cambered axle, it is extremely important.

DaveW

Car lift you can set pinion angle, and adjust suspension at ride height?

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