Any one have a mechanics pit?

[robn69]

Pics and any info. Do you like it? would you do it again? All and any info would be great.

 

[bazzateer]

Try a search, lots of posts/threads on here about pits. People either seem to love or hate them.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Pit being a three letter word, doesn't search well on the forum, however, using Google you can search just GJ. Enter the following in google.........

site:garagejournal.com/forum pit

Will bring up everything pit, from pit bulls to holes in the floor to pit maneuvers, however, as noted, this is a often asked question, probably once a month on average.

With todays front wheel drive cars, there is very little to access under a car that the average home mechanic might work on. A fuel filter, a O2 sensor and the oil drain plug, not much more that you can do from a pit. To be safe and functional, a pit needs easy access (ingress/egress by the user) with the vehicle in place on it, it needs forced air ventilation, it needs properly sealed, explosion proof electrical devices and light fixtures, drainage to prevent it from flooding, and a way to cover it to make the garage floor safe and usable for other things when the pit is not in use. Many locales do not allow pits. Thats all I'm going to say on the matter....... As Baz noted it can become a hotly debated topic.

Charles

 

[sberry]

I wouldn't want one, cost as much to install, or more than a 2 post hoist these days. As Charles said, not handy to work from, very limiting.

 

[bazzateer]

Can be a good option for those who are vertically challenged in the garage department.

 

[robn69]

Try a search, lots of posts/threads on here about pits. People either seem to love or hate them.

I tried nothing would come up for me Must have been doing something wrong.

 

[Adrien]

I spent a lot of weekends as a kid in a pit. When my Grandfather built is garage some years ago, he built it with a pit. That being said, I haven't been down there in over 10 years I would imagine. It would take us a whole weekend just to move everything out of the way!

Adrien

 

[robn69]

Pit being a three letter word, doesn't search well on the forum, however, using Google you can search just GJ. Enter the following in google.........

site:garagejournal.com/forum pit

Will bring up everything pit, from pit bulls to holes in the floor to pit maneuvers, however, as noted, this is a often asked question, probably once a month on average.

With todays front wheel drive cars, there is very little to access under a car that the average home mechanic might work on. A fuel filter, a O2 sensor and the oil drain plug, not much more that you can do from a pit. To be safe and functional, a pit needs easy access (ingress/egress by the user) with the vehicle in place on it, it needs forced air ventilation, it needs properly sealed, explosion proof electrical devices and light fixtures, drainage to prevent it from flooding, and a way to cover it to make the garage floor safe and usable for other things when the pit is not in use. Many locales do not allow pits. Thats all I'm going to say on the matter....... As Baz noted it can become a hotly debated topic.

Charles

3 out of my 4 vehicles have solid axle rwd so that helps. And could you not build some sort of cross brace that you could move around on pit to use jacks and stands and stuff? Like a four post lift has. Because more or less working on the center of the car would be the same as a four post that way. Just would not have access to front side of wheels brakes and stuff from inside of pit. Still would have to crouch down to work on that stuff

 

[Charles (in GA)]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=122362

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=116252

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86165

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4757

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65982

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=54029

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49363

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28417

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7608

 

[robn69]

thanks i found some of those post when i did the google search the way you said to

 

[Aberdale]

I have a pit. Wanna buy it? Will sell cheap. You haul.

 

[ears]

Last shop at work had one, new one doesn't. I would love one in this shop. This is for trucks not cars, for cars I would definitely go with a lift.

 

[ptschram]

I'd love one. I've got one bay that is just too low for a lift but would make a great pit bay.