Advantage lifts

[Jazzman442]

I looked at all the lifts for almost 2 years. I even went to the shops to see what they used. I finally went with Direct Lift ( Rotary ) Unbelievable customer service and it is built like a tank. I use it for my Suburban and my other lighter cars. Been using it for 2 years Not one issue. and it is certified. Stop looking and go Direct you will not be sorry.

 

[bradysdad]

I went to Maple Grove, MN and met Brad from Wildfire at his house, where he showed me his 9Klb lift. I was also at BJ last week and met the guys from Advantage. I would bet money on the fact that both are built right next to each other, in the same plant, and get separated right before the paint booth.

Pricing is the same for what I am looking at, which includes the pneumatic assist hydraulic jack. Wildfire is $100 less on their lift than Advantage, but $100 more on their jack.

Both lifts are rock solid and with all due respect, the Direct lift C Channel design seems less stable than the Wildfire/Advantage boxed columns.

I currently have messages in to both organizations to see if they will deal any on the purchase of 2 lifts, as cost will be my final determining factor.

 

[AdamIsAdam]

Did Wildfire imply that they make their own lifts or did he own up to them being imported items?

 

[bradysdad]

Did Wildfire imply that they make their own lifts or did he own up to them being imported items?

He indicated they were manufactured in Chinese plants according to US specs and oversight. He did not hesitate and was up front about it when asked.

Believe me, I am skeptical about the cheaper Chinese brands but Brad had his TransAm on top of the lift and his C5 Corvette underneath. I pushed and rocked the lift and it did not budge an inch.

My impression of the Advantage lift was the same.

 

[AdamIsAdam]

Great, thanks for the feedback. Hopefully I can get it shipped and installed reasonably because I'm sold.

 

[PoorOwner]

Here is my write up with the advantage 4 post lift, all very good.
I have done an oil change in 3 different vehicles it was very easy.
I have yet to hook up the compressed air so I cannot use the jack yet.

I take the ramps and stow between the runways, so I am not hitting my head on it... being aluminum it's quite doable, steel ramps would be alot more difficult.
I leave it all the way up until I need to use the lift, and park below daily.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=358972

 

[greg86z28]

I researched all of the major brands and chose the Advantage Lift. I felt the quality of construction, the thickness of the steel, the lack of any movement when loaded and the accessories it came with was a no brainer.

I got a discount price due to a show special they had. The 9000# lift was $2900 delivered to the warehouse. It included the casters, 4 drip trays, the 4500# rolling jack tray and 36" aluminum ramps. As I mentioned earlier, it also came with a limit switch, because I have a low ceiling, so I cannot put my car through the garage ceiling.

Hey Scott. I've seen you on Thirdgen before.

Nice setup.

 

[cajunfirehawk]

A lot of 4th gen and 3rd gen fbody people on this post (yall might recognize me from ls1tech.com), I have seen the advantage lift several times in person @ cruising the coast as they always do a demo and sell the one they build up so you can take it home fully built on your trailer, but someone always beats me to it and I have kinda been on the fence but its getting very close to pulling the trigger, like the others said, why do we wait so long? I think if these were ALI rated it would make me feel better...I suppose?

 

[AdamIsAdam]

I spoke with one of the owners and I think he said they are working on certification. I wonder how important and also how hard/extensive it is to obtain.check

I'm buying one. Seems like best bang for the buck. I really like design

 

[cajunfirehawk]

I spoke with one of the owners and I think he said they are working on certification. I wonder how important and also how hard/extensive it is to obtain.check

I'm buying one. Seems like best bang for the buck. I really like design

Advantage or Wildfire?

 

[AdamIsAdam]

Advantage or Wildfire?

Advantage

 

[scottmoyer]

I asked Richard about Wildfire and who they are since they are also local to Minneapolis. Richard said that the the owner of Wildfire is a dentist and purchased an Advantage Lift. They decided to replicate the lift and put their own name on it. I asked about patent and all and was told that the cost to file a patent suit was so much that they decided to just sell more lifts and be the better company with better customer support. I was also told that Wildfire doesn't have inventory, so Advantage has been used by Wildfire customers if they need support or parts.

Not sure if that tells you anything about Wildfire, but I guess there's a good reason their lifts look identical to Advantage Lifts.

Hey, Greg. Yes I'm on TGO also. Only a few forums I visit regularly.

 

[bradysdad]

My lift was $2900 delivered to the local warehouse. I picked it up and got it home. After 4 hours, I had a car on it. One of the packing bolts that hold the runway to the disposable shipping frame was double nutted due to stripping while being installed. It took over 30 minutes for me to get that bolt out. Then there was the standing around and not working aspect! I would say that two people can put this together, easily in 2.5-3 hours.

I've had it since June 2017. I love it. Like many others have said, I don't know why it took me so long to get one. As for information for prospective buyers, I've been very vocal about Advantage Lifts here and on other sites I'm on. I think it's the best bang for the buck!

My ceilings are 120". My two cars are fine for storing on this lift, but trying to put newer, taller cars would not be so easy. My 80's Camaros sit at about 50" each, where the new Mustangs and Camaros are closer to 53-56" tall

After speaking with Tony @ Advantage, I have decided to go with their 4 post 9000#. Felt comfortable chatting with Tony and having him tell me his history in the industry and design experience vs what Wildfire did to copy.

Scottmoyer, you stated $2,900 delivered to local warehouse. What portion of that was shipping and how long ago did you purchase?

Thanks!

 

[scottmoyer]

I recently learned that the prices vary dependent on availability. I got my price because a truckload was available at my local warehouse. I've heard that it could be more if there aren't any locally and one needs to be shipped. I took advantage of the Palm Beach Barrett Jackson orders that were shipped last year. I heard that they had multiple truckloads delivered to the area. Not sure what it would've cost if I had to have one shipped specifically for me.

 

[AdamIsAdam]

I was quoted $3000 plus shipping for one in NY

 

[scottmoyer]

Like I said, I took advantage of the fact that they had some already in a local warehouse because of the Barrett Jackson West Palm auction. They probably gave me a deal due to wanting to move the inventory out of the warehouse.

 

[PoorOwner]

I was quoted $3000 plus shipping for one in NY

That sounds like a pretty good deal.

 

[AdamIsAdam]

... They probably gave me a deal due to wanting to move the inventory out of the warehouse.

Scott,
Could you check something for me please?

See the attached highlighted part of the lift brochure. I need to better understand what these numbers represent. My fear is where the lock positions are spaced that I might waste precious inches between the car's roof and either the ceiling (for top car) or the bottom of the runways (for the bottom car).

My two cars are about (and I'll check this more closely of course) 50.5" (Porsche) and 54.5" tall (GTO). My ceiling is 115".

If I'm reading the brochure right, one of the locked positions would leave 55" of clearance underneath to drive in and park my 54.5" car under my 50.5" car. Is that correct? (This would be good since I think I need the 911 up top to easily clear the beam, and also allow enough room above it to raise the lift off the locks.) Would this be the position that wastes the least amount of space between these two particular cars?

My fear is that I have to go up to the next locking position to fit a car underneath, which I guess are spaced every 5 inches, right?

Then, one more question, how many inches does the lift need to go up in order to release the locks before being able to be lowered?

 

[scottmoyer]

Here is what my lift is showing me. The lock itself is at about 57.5" from the floor (not the top of the 12x12 plate), but the bottom of the rail clearance is about 55.75". So, My 50" Camaro on the bottom, has just under 6" of clearance. Their numbers are not exact, as you can see from my measurements, but are a good rough number. So 55" on their chart seems to equal about 55.75" on my lift.

I played with raising the lift to release the locks and found that only 1.5" is needed to release.

I just verified my garage height. At the rear of the garage is 118" and at the garage doors is 120". Where I have the lift, the highest part of the top car is sitting under 119" ceiling. With my lift on the 55" lock (actually 55.75" for me), my clearance from the top of the rail to the ceiling is 59".

 

[AdamIsAdam]

Scott,
THANK YOU for taking the time to measure. This is encouraging for sure.

Let me see if I have this right. You said

With my lift on the 55" lock (actually 55.75" for me), my clearance from the top of the rail to the ceiling is 59".

So at the 55" lock I'd have 55" of clearance since I have 115" ceiling and you are at 119" at the measurement point. Enough for the 911 but not enough for the GTO, especially considering I need another 1.5" or so to get it up off the locks.

However, at the same 55" position, you have 55.75" of room for the bottom car. I'm hoping I can fit either my GTO or my BMW in that space. It's going to be VERY close! (I hope my floors are level!)

Wait, I just had a thought: my BMW roof is slight arched from side to side, meaning it's taller in the middle of the car than the sides. Frankly, I think all of my cars are like that. That may give me more wiggle room since there is nothing between the runways but drip-trays (and the jack tray maybe which can be moved). I'd love to keep the BMW under the 911 rather than the GTO so I don't have to move the GTO to get at the 911.

This is going to be close! ****! It may come down to air in the tires!

Time to go out and remeasure the cars.

Thanks again for the info. VERY helpful.


PS ONE MORE QUESTION: HOW THICK ARE THE RUNWAYS?

 

[scottmoyer]

Your theory of having more room in the middle is incorrect. Don't forget that the runways are connected with a crossmember at the same clearance as the runway itself.

 

[AdamIsAdam]

Your theory of having more room in the middle is incorrect. Don't forget that the runways are connected with a crossmember at the same clearance as the runway itself.

doh!

I did forget about that.

I'm now also wondering if I can box out a hole in the ceiling above to gain some extra inches. Think attic opening. I have to see where in the master bedroom above this work would be. It MIGHT be under my bed, which would be idea. but I fear it's next to the bed. I'm about to get new carpeting and could easily lay an extra layer of plywood down first to strengthen the sub-floor.

I've never worked so hard for a few extra inches in my life!

 

[Gear Box]

If you have some handy friends and framing know how, a hoist hole is very doable.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[AdamIsAdam]

If you have some handy friends and framing know how, a hoist hole is very doable.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Exactly. My only issue is that there's the master bedroom above so the floors need to be reinforced. I'm thinking maybe I'd lay down another sheet of plywood on the sub-floor in the bedroom since I'm putting in new w/w carpeting anyway.

 

[greeneggs]

Just wondering??? I see several people have talked about discussions with Tony from Advantage. I may have missed it somewhere but do they have area dealers? Did everyone buy theirs from Advantage.
I checked their web page and can find no "where to buy" so I am thinking that everything comes directly from Minneapolis.

Sam

 

[PoorOwner]

Just wondering??? I see several people have talked about discussions with Tony from Advantage. I may have missed it somewhere but do they have area dealers? Did everyone buy theirs from Advantage.
I checked their web page and can find no "where to buy" so I am thinking that everything comes directly from Minneapolis.

Sam

No they are direct there is no dealers, their phone number is on the top of the website. Personally I have dealt with Tony. They ship from a warehouse closest to you, in my case it was shipped from westcoast.

 

[scottmoyer]

I was lucky and they have a warehouse in Orlando, so when they fulfilled the Barrett Jackson West Palm orders, they shipped them all to Orlando instead of West Palm. Otherwise, I would've had a couple hour drive to West Palm, or pay the shipping to my local warehouse.

 

[AdamIsAdam]

For me in NY, they will ship from PA to a local installer who will take delivery and then bring it to me for installation. I think all in that will be 1300. It would have been 900 but for where I live and the added tolls. Welcome to Long Island.

 

[carryallman]

im happy to report that "advantage lift " did get me some drip pans that was missing on purchase ! almost overnight & pre paid ! thanks guys !! my son did buy 2 " greg smith" lifts -they work good ! BUT the locks are differant & i think posts are not as strong ?? my opinion! BUT remember -the greg smith store -outlet is in the greater des moines ia area -plus his hoist was 2500.00 each -smaller cap. than mine -mine was $4000.00 del. to dm iowa -anyway im happy w/ ny advantage /as im lifting duallys & 1 ton dump trucks mike

 

[83VillageRepair]

Exactly. My only issue is that there's the master bedroom above so the floors need to be reinforced. I'm thinking maybe I'd lay down another sheet of plywood on the sub-floor in the bedroom since I'm putting in new w/w carpeting anyway.

You could always make the "hoist hole" a platform bed in the Master bedroom

 

[AdamIsAdam]

You could always make the "hoist hole" a platform bed in the Master bedroom

DO NOT THINK I HAVE NOT THOUGHT ABOUT IT!

 

[cajunfirehawk]

I was lucky and they have a warehouse in Orlando, so when they fulfilled the Barrett Jackson West Palm orders, they shipped them all to Orlando instead of West Palm. Otherwise, I would've had a couple hour drive to West Palm, or pay the shipping to my local warehouse.

Scott you take your third gens to the Maro Winternats in FLA?

I like the fact that you have both camaros and mustangs...

 

[scottmoyer]

I have taken the IROC-Z to the WinterNationals, but it's been a few years. I'll be going this coming weekend, but without the car. I haven't shown my car in years. I scored a 996 out of 1000 back in 2009 and stopped at point.

 

[[email protected]]

For those of you who have purchased this lift. What type of hydraulic oil did u use?

 

[PoorOwner]

For those of you who have purchased this lift. What type of hydraulic oil did u use?

This one, easy to find..

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...-gallon-hydraulic-fluid/74305/4601120?q=74305

 

[scottmoyer]

I got mine at Autozone, but basically the same thing. I can't remember how much we need to fill the tank, but I bought enough to do it 2x.

 

[cajunfirehawk]

I have taken the IROC-Z to the WinterNationals, but it's been a few years. I'll be going this coming weekend, but without the car. I haven't shown my car in years. I scored a 996 out of 1000 back in 2009 and stopped at point.

From friends that went, I heard the turn out was way down. Seems like all these nice fbody events are shrinking? Did you post pics of your cars on your lift yet?

 

[scottmoyer]

I've posted them a few times.

 

[XS29L9B]

I had compared BackYard Buddy to all which were on the market at the time, including Advantage. I ended up buying two BYB lifts, then a 3rd. No regrets.

If I had to do it over again, I would, but might still consider Advantage, which it's only real advantage I see is their pricing (compared to BYB).

 

[bradysdad]

For those of you who have purchased this lift. What type of hydraulic oil did u use?

Any AW32 hydraulic oil will work. I picked up a 5 gal container at Auto Zone (STP brand) for $45. The lift takes just under 3 gallons to fill.