Dannmar maxjax lift

[Stang65]

Someone locally has a Dannmar maxjax for sale with a brand new Dannmar roller chair and a 8gallon oil pan. He said he only used it a couple of times, looks brand new in the pictures.

He wants $1700 for it, I was willing to go 1,400 to 1,500 but he won't budge. Does 1,700 seem fair?

I'm not even sure I'll enjoy having a mid rise lift, but that's all I can fit in my garage.

 

[Falcon67]

Well, they are $2300ish new, so that's still $600 saved. If it's in good shape it'l probably worth it. A full size 2 post runs in the $1600~2000 range for comparison.

 

[cdsvt]

You can get a brand new one on a group buy or even from costco under $2K at times - with whatever warranty the manufacturer offers.

As a point of reference, I got my max jax used, in like new condition, for about half of new and it came with a new set of anchors.

 

[Stang65]

Yeah I was hoping he would deal a little. If it's still for sale in a week maybe I'll offer him $1,400.
Even though it looks new I am missing out on any bonuses of buying new.

 

[c4cruiser]

You can get a brand new one on a group buy or even from costco under $2K at times - with whatever warranty the manufacturer offers.

As a point of reference, I got my max jax used, in like new condition, for about half of new and it came with a new set of anchors.

When Costco has them on sale, the price is $1999 and comes with free delivery!

The entire lift and related components are bundled together and the posts are bolted together with a steel frame. The weight will be around 880 lbs.

That $1700 is actually a good deal. But you really need to check your floor to make sure that there is at least 4" or more of concrete for the anchors. My floor was 2-1/2" thick where I was going to drill the holes so I had to have part of the floor cut out and had two 4'x4' pads poured that were 12" deep. I used a set of epoxy anchors that were 8" long. Those ran about $100. A set of 10 anchors that are typically supplied with the MaxJax will run about $75.

For whatever reason, the supplied anchors are 7/8" in diameter and you will need a bit of that size for a rotary hammer drill. I found a Bosch SDS 7/8" drill at Amazon for about $35. I found that while it's easy to rent a rotary hammer drill, the 7/8" bit is usually not available at rental places.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

There is an ad that shows up on Craigslist for Seattle for one of these at $1700. It's been there for half a year at least. Since the group buy was close to that price but has the warranty and service, I went with the group buy instead.

There really isn't much that can go wrong with these. Make sure it runs up and down (doesn't have to be installed to run the cylinders) and there aren't any missing parts. Beyond that, go for it. A pickup can haul it home readily without any special effort. These things *were* meant to be portable.

 

[Stang65]

Thanks for the info guys, I was going to drill a test spot and see how deep my floor is. I guess I should do that first, I am not really interested in having two 4'x4' spots dug out and filled, ugh what a pain that must have been.

I just want it so I can have a easier job of removing exhaust or transmissions and detailing the under side of my two Mustangs. Sure would beat working on my back all the time. Might even make it enjoyable lol.

 

[kamesama980]

Don't try to bargain down before you even go see it unless it's WAY overpriced. 1700 is certainly worth a visit to check it out. I agree that it's a little high considering you won't have any warranty and probably won't get anchors. My maxjax was delivered to my door for $1940 with the group buy ($140 was home delivery w/ liftgate truck. $1800 delivered (to a business address with a dock) was the official price).

Is it a heck of a steal? No. It's not a horrible price either though. At least show up and dicker in person. When I've sold things on craigslist I won't waste time on people that lowball without even looking at what's being sold.

 

[Todd.Brock]

IMO, that is a bad price. I paid 1750 delivered with a GB from here. I would have to see it at 1200 or less to think about used. But that's JMO. If you have to buy the anchors, they are about 150 bucks (epoxy). Think of that as a factor when buying new, they are included (wedge)

 

[c4cruiser]

Thanks for the info guys, I was going to drill a test spot and see how deep my floor is. I guess I should do that first, I am not really interested in having two 4'x4' spots dug out and filled, ugh what a pain that must have been.

I just want it so I can have a easier job of removing exhaust or transmissions and detailing the under side of my two Mustangs. Sure would beat working on my back all the time. Might even make it enjoyable lol.

For my install, the "pain" was writing out the check for the work that was done It took just under 6 hours from the time the crew showed up to when they left. They wet-sawed the area to be removed, then used an electric jackhammer to break up the pieces, hauled out the chunks and removed the dirt to the 12" depth. Just as that was done, the cement truck showed up. The poured the two slabs, finished the surface and cleaned everything up including wet-mopping the garage floor!

I paid $1000 for everything. I could have hauled off the old concrete and dug out the holes and maybe saved a couple hundred, but that would have been manual labor and would have cut into the beer-drinking schedule....

 

[olytdi]

I paid about that for mine a couple of years ago. I think it's over priced. I'd hold out or save up for a new on when they're on sale.

The mid height lifts are great. I don't get why people like to work underneath standing up. I scoot around underneath while seated and it's what I prefer.

 

[regguy1]

MaxJax earning it's keep, some trans repairs on a 1976 Corvette.....
PS: I helped

 

[In My Garage]

I'm not even sure I'll enjoy having a mid rise lift, but that's all I can fit in my garage.

Having used one, a consumer grade full size lift doesn't raise a vehicle high enough that I can stand under it with clearance above my head, so they are of little use, at least to me and I'm 6' 1".

 

[Stang65]

Thanks for all the info guys.

In My Garage: I am the same height, so you might be on to something. I think I might try to head out and look at it this weekend, that is if it's still forsale.
Thanks
Jeff

 

[demoderbydave]

I don't think it is a bad deal...depending on the amount of use/condition. Others are correct in the fact you probably WILL have to buy anchors.
I would wave 1500 in his face and I doubt he would say no... especially if it has been gathering dust for a while.

 

[Stang65]

I eneded up buying it for $1,700. He wouldn't budge. Came with a 8 gallon oil catcher and a roll around seat. It looks brand new like he never used it. It's not the best deal ever but it isn't bad either I guess. I just need to buy the anchors for it and clean up the garage.

 

[DonnyT]

I eneded up buying it for $1,700. He wouldn't budge. Came with a 8 gallon oil catcher and a roll around seat. It looks brand new like he never used it. It's not the best deal ever but it isn't bad either I guess. I just need to buy the anchors for it and clean up the garage.

You did very good!! Its a great lift. You just need to decide which anchors to use (epoxy or not).

 

[demoderbydave]

I eneded up buying it for $1,700. He wouldn't budge. Came with a 8 gallon oil catcher and a roll around seat. It looks brand new like he never used it. It's not the best deal ever but it isn't bad either I guess. I just need to buy the anchors for it and clean up the garage.

You did fine. I would have bought a "as-new" unit and saved 300+ bucks (back then) now 500+ bucks. Set it up and you will ABSOLUTELY love it

 

[Rodbuilder]

Not bad at all, nice Christmas present for your shop.

Take a look at other posts here about the install. Being as you have to buy mollies anyway, pay the extra for the epoxy type from Dannmar. I just went through replacing the bolt in type with the epoxy type, even added to the lifting capabilities.

Even if you don't have the floor thickness and need to do the 4x4 cut, removal and repour, it's not all that big of a deal for the added safety.

You'll appreciate that little scooter and oil drain he included.

I've had my MJ since they first came out 5 years ago or so and use it all the time.

Enjoy

Capt Van

 

[cdsvt]

FYI - If you have Amazon prime the pd-58 wedge anchors are cheap - <$20 for a set of 5 with free shipping.

 

[Stang65]

Thanks for the info guys, I have not checked the floor thickness yet. Are epoxy anchors a lot better than the pd-58's?

 

[c4cruiser]

Thanks for the info guys, I have not checked the floor thickness yet. Are epoxy anchors a lot better than the pd-58's?

That will really depend on the thickness of the floor and it's definitely a good idea to do some test drills. The MaxJaxx specs call for a minimum of a 4" slab. The PD-58 anchors when installed with a 4" or deeper floor won't go to the bottom of the slab.

Because of the too-thin slab in my garage (and a crack too close to where one column would sit), I had to cut out parts of the floor for new pads that were 4'x4'x12" deep each. That 12" depth allowed me to use 7" epoxy anchors.

 

[dmeadow]

Thanks for the info guys, I have not checked the floor thickness yet. Are epoxy anchors a lot better than the pd-58's?

Depends what you mean by "better."

They are more forgiving and easier to install and you are more sure of your result. Beyond that, installed correctly, I don't think the epoxy anchors provide a significantly superior anchor.

 

[Stang65]

Any links to a decent site that sells the epoxy anchors?