Anyone use jacks on their 4-post lifts?

[05snopro440]

I grew up in my dad's automotive repair shop, he had a 4-post alignment lift with two rolling jacks. They each had a large air bag with two different height lock stops. They worked great, and now I have a Direct Lift with just a jack tray and it's not nearly as useful as it could be. I'll be getting a Pro Jack in the near future.

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.

Wow, that sounds like a really unsafe practice. Relying on a 4x4 to support the weight of a car, even for a short time, is an accident waiting to happen. Additionally, most lift manufacturers advise against using jacks or stands on the runways.

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).

My lift instructions clearly advise against jacks or stands on the runways. The loading of a jack or stand is much different than the loading of a tire, and the runways just aren't designed for this type of loading. It may be okay, but it may be not. Regardless, I would NEVER trust 4 scissor jacks on a lift to support a vehicle.

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/

Again, the four post runways aren't designed for this loading (especially those on hobbyist lifts). Use the proper center jacks.

 

[Wangta]

I grew up in my dad's automotive repair shop, he had a 4-post alignment lift with two rolling jacks. They each had a large air bag with two different height lock stops. They worked great, and now I have a Direct Lift with just a jack tray and it's not nearly as useful as it could be. I'll be getting a Pro Jack in the near future.

Wow, that sounds like a really unsafe practice. Relying on a 4x4 to support the weight of a car, even for a short time, is an accident waiting to happen. Additionally, most lift manufacturers advise against using jacks or stands on the runways.

My lift instructions clearly advise against jacks or stands on the runways. The loading of a jack or stand is much different than the loading of a tire, and the runways just aren't designed for this type of loading. It may be okay, but it may be not. Regardless, I would NEVER trust 4 scissor jacks on a lift to support a vehicle.

Again, the four post runways aren't designed for this loading (especially those on hobbyist lifts). Use the proper center jacks.

Do you have a suggestion if you have to do both drivetrain and wheel work? Like swapping out a rear differential and hubs, axles, etc? Would be nearly impossible to do with the center jack in place.

 

[pbon]

Depends on where your chassis lifting are. Could be forward enough of rear end but depends on the vehicle. I sometimes use floor jacks on the ramps instead.

 

[05snopro440]

Do you have a suggestion if you have to do both drivetrain and wheel work? Like swapping out a rear differential and hubs, axles, etc? Would be nearly impossible to do with the center jack in place.

I don't follow why swapping hubs, axles, or a rear differential would be impossible with the center jack. It all depends what you're working on though. If you're primarily doing this type of work, a 2-post might be better. If it's occasional, you can usually support the vehicle with the center jack by the frame (in the case of swapping a rear end in a leaf sprung solid axle vehicle). However if you're talking about IRS, then it depends on your specific situation. It's no different than anything else, you have to be thoughtful about where you're lifting and supporting the vehicle.

 

[Glemon]

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).

That is how I do it too, maybe harder with a body on frame vehicle like a large truck where jacking points are more likely on the frame. Mostly wanted to say nice Dino.

 

[mgoguen]

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.

ha ha seeing this price I was scrambling to fidn where this jack was... apparently ten years ago was where it was

 

[Mike65]

When I get a 4-post lift next year, I want one of the SJ-35 rolling jacks.

 

[mgoguen]

When I get a 4-post lift next year, I want one of the SJ-35 rolling jacks.

be sure to keep in mind the width of the vehicle you plan on jacking. I got the amgo 408hp lift. I got eh j5h sliding jacks and the arms aren't wide enough to get to the pinch welds on my Mazda 3. so now i am tryign to figure out a way to make the sliding jacks a touch wider be it with lift pad modification or modifying the whole jack arm

 

[pbon]

There is a company that makes arm extensions. I have 2. Not cheap at $300 for the pair but well made. Better to get a jack with longer arms or modify your jack to fit longer arms if possible.

 

[mgoguen]

There is a company that makes arm extensions. I have 2. Not cheap at $300 for the pair but well made. Better to get a jack with longer arms or modify your jack to fit longer arms if possible.

My hope is to be able to get a set of pads and madify them to work. do you kno wwho the compoany is? would love ot keep that in my back pocket as a last resort

 

[brianh]

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.

Same, works fine for me not a production shop the little time it takes is not an issue. My only regret was not getting my lift sooner.

 

[mgoguen]

Same, works fine for me not a production shop the little time it takes is not an issue. My only regret was not getting my lift sooner.

no issue with cars with frames but the newet stuff where do you place the jack stands on the frame since you can't get to the pinch welds

 

[Firebrick43]

no issue with cars with frames but the newet stuff where do you place the jack stands on the frame since you can't get to the pinch welds

If you want to use the pinch welds you place the jack stands right on the runway.

 

[pbon]

My hope is to be able to get a set of pads and madify them to work. do you kno wwho the compoany is? would love ot keep that in my back pocket as a last resort

SVI International in Dekalb, Ill.
BH-7474-81
9" EXTENSION KIT FOR RJ-45 / RBJ4500

 

[05snopro440]

When I get a 4-post lift next year, I want one of the SJ-35 rolling jacks.

I just picked up my SJ-35 yesterday. I haven't used it other than to test it and I'm already glad I have it.