i haven't even picked up my new lift yet and i'm already thinking about a custom jack tray. i've searched here and google some and haven't seen anything. what i picture is a tray that will hold a floor jack front to rear much like you would use one on the floor.i have the means to fab one up, i would just like to see other guys ideas.
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custom jack tray ,4 post lift?
- Thread starter scotty t
- Start date
you can buy them already made if you would like.
http://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/4-post-bridge-jacks/
Mark
http://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/4-post-bridge-jacks/
Mark
rsanter
Well-known member
The problem is that the floor jack does not lift straight up so will tend to pull at or shift the car or try to move the tray.
Yes you can do it but they will not work as nice as the ones they make for that application.
I would be tempted to make one that either uses 2 bottle jacks
Bob
Yes you can do it but they will not work as nice as the ones they make for that application.
I would be tempted to make one that either uses 2 bottle jacks
Bob
the standard jacking tray will work with bottle jacks and probably scissor jacks too. for my idea you would have make the "runway" a little longer than the jack to allow for this movement. i'm amazed that with all the talk about buying lifts, there is very little about how to use them. i think i'll start a thread just for that!
LX-Markham
Well-known member
much more than that.nope! those are $600-$800 approx. i'm asking about a custom(home) made tray to use my FLOOR jack in a front to rear position. thanks though.
so you want a custom sliding jack tray, wide/deep enough to sit a floor jack on?
Well, I don't know how to use a lift, but I would keep the floor jack on the floor and just get the pre-made jack tray for bottle jacks.
much more than that.
so you want a custom sliding jack tray, wide/deep enough to sit a floor jack on?
Well, I don't know how to use a lift, but I would keep the floor jack on the floor and just get the pre-made jack tray for bottle jacks.
part of the reason i bought a lift is i'm sick of getting down on my knees to use a jack. but the floor jack seems to me like it would be easier than a bottle jack. thusly i thought if i whipped up a jack tray that fit my floor jack, it might be useful. i didn't ask where to buy one, i asked if anybody had done something similar. so i could compare ideas.
rsanter
Well-known member
The handle of a floor jack does not operate well when close to parallel to the ground. You may have great trouble using it under the car like you are proposing.
You may be able to adapt a trans jack as their handle rotates and operates fairly flat
I was thinking a bottle jack that has the air hookup and you can make a larger base for it to be more stable
Bob
You may be able to adapt a trans jack as their handle rotates and operates fairly flat
I was thinking a bottle jack that has the air hookup and you can make a larger base for it to be more stable
Bob
I have the BendPak jacking trays. I keep my lift at the wider setting...so the jack trays are "expanded". This leaves openings at each end...right about where you'd want to place a jack or jack stand.
A friend made me some "U" shaped plated to cover these ends....and they help. But...it's still a hassle to pull wheels on this lift. (I use the mid-rise for that when I can.) What I found...and perhaps there are sharper folks that me....that where I want the jack...and jack stands to be...is usually the same place. Even trying to use the pinch welds can be tough as some cars are narrower and they are close to the inside edge where a jack stand can't stand.
To the good...there was some degree of engineering involved in the design of the BendPak jack trays. I'm not an engineer and wouldn't think of making something like this myself.
EDIT...I do have...and often use...a pair od hydraulic scissor jacks with the jacking trays. I recently did motor mounts in this fashion. The scissor jacks are made much lower than a bottle jack.
A friend made me some "U" shaped plated to cover these ends....and they help. But...it's still a hassle to pull wheels on this lift. (I use the mid-rise for that when I can.) What I found...and perhaps there are sharper folks that me....that where I want the jack...and jack stands to be...is usually the same place. Even trying to use the pinch welds can be tough as some cars are narrower and they are close to the inside edge where a jack stand can't stand.
To the good...there was some degree of engineering involved in the design of the BendPak jack trays. I'm not an engineer and wouldn't think of making something like this myself.
EDIT...I do have...and often use...a pair od hydraulic scissor jacks with the jacking trays. I recently did motor mounts in this fashion. The scissor jacks are made much lower than a bottle jack.
Last edited:
buzz4041
Well-known member
Here is a link to jack tray that came with my lift. At 95 bucks it is a deal. It will take you more manhours to fab it than that is worth. I have the scissor jacks also but have used this with a bottle jack also. It also serves great as a tool tray and also put my flourescent light in it so I have good sliding light to work with.
http://www.derekweaver.com/4-post-lift-parts-accessories/?sort=priceasc
http://www.derekweaver.com/4-post-lift-parts-accessories/?sort=priceasc
sc105b
Well-known member
Not sure it would help but did you consider raising the vehicle with your lift and then using large jack stands to support the vehicle and lower the jack a couple inches. You won't be able to go super high but you can make it comfortable to work on with a rolling stool and use the runway to place parts/tools on.
I've only done this with my hd14 and the rear axle of my 3500 dually so ymmv..
I've only done this with my hd14 and the rear axle of my 3500 dually so ymmv..
I made one of these way back , i mostly work on old corvettes and had one that moved while I was working on it , so I got rid of the home made jack and bought a rolling jack, it was made well but just not safe enough for me or the cars . Ron