Bendpak 4 post with RBJ-45 -- Question for owners

[Fahrer]

Been lurking and learning here for years but this is my first post. Based in large part on research done here, I just bought a Benkpak HD-9 with a Bridge Jack instead of a 2 post lift. I liked the idea of not having to get down on the floor to position arms and really liked the 2 car storage. Anyway, I needed it to act as a lift so I bought the bridge jack. Thought I was getting a RBJ-45 but instead got the RBJ-4500. There were specs on the website for the 45 but not for the 4500. RBJ-45 is supposed to have a max arm reach of 59.9" but I don't know exactly how that is measured, eg arm to arm or pad to pad (substantial difference).

The RBJ-4500 max arm reach (measured pad to pad) is 57" which is too short to reach pinch welds on Honda Accord, Subaru WRX, and jack pads on e36 BMW. All three of these cars require 57" to 58".

My question for those with RBJ-45: what is max distance from pad to pad (see pic)?

Thanks for your help.

 

[stingry]

59 1/2”

 

[Fahrer]

59 1/2”

Thanks.

 

[pbon]

Seems like the old RJ-45 was a better jack for some of us. It is too bad Bendpak is. It selling it. I won’t be buying an RJ-4500.

 

[AEmedic]

On the Best Buy product page for the RBJ4500 it lists the Max. Arm Reach as 63-1/4”.

 

[slowTA]

Not sure if you thought about this, but I would lift from the subframe, frame, or control arms instead. The pinch welds may be recommended for tire changes since it's easy to locate when you're on the side of the road, but there are stronger points under the car.

 

[abgiles]

RBJ-45 here.

End to end, arm to arm, and pad to pad.

 

[LXCam]

I've had mine for 12yrs and can't ever think of a time I wished I could lift by the pinch welds. They are so many other better places to lift from and no, I don't much care for what the manufacturer states.

 

[JSK]

The older RJ-45 is not ALI approved. When BendPak opted to get the jacks ALI approved in response to market demands, the result is slightly less arm reach (moment loading) and higher drive-over height (strengthening of upper tube and arms). Why? ALI certification dictates that the bridge jack is to be designed at 300% loading and because of that, things changed. LXCam is correct, bridge jacks are not really designed to lift vehicles at pinch points.

 

[Fahrer]

Thanks for the explanation. Bendpak should have made that information available on the website when I ordered my lift rather than me having to find out when the lift arrived and then having to verify the specs through an on-line forum.

 

[Deanomyte]

I spy a **** e36 front end!! Very good ******** friend!!!


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[WaterBoyz]

I read recently that Bendpack is making the RJ45 again.