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floor jacking

MarlynOC

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Jan 6, 2017
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Location
Warrington PA
looking into getting a car lift but problem is that the car has only 3" clearance from ground. EZ Lift and all are higher than that. Also car only weighs 2600 lbs. Any ideas?
 
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Colin Len

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Jan 30, 2013
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Long Beach CA
I'm in the same boat (albeit I'm not currently shopping for a lift). Are you exactly at 3" of clearance? And where is that clearance? If you have 3" of clearance at the pinch welds or side skirts that's one thing but if you're talking about drive over height that's another. The Maxjax has a minimum pad height of 3.5" so that's pretty close. Personally, I think the ideal setup would be a flush mount scissor lift recessed into the floor.

If you're not looking for full height lifts then you could look into the Quickjack which has a 3" clearance. And there are low rise drive over lifts as well.
 
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MarlynOC

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Warrington PA
Car is a '61 Austin Healey 3000 and yes the frame is 3 inches off ground. Thanks will look at quickjack.
 
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landlord30

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Mar 19, 2014
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508
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Pittsburgh, PA
What about adding longer, gradual approach ramps? It would take up space but if your not using them everyday it could be manageable.
 

matt_i

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Mar 14, 2008
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Location
SE Michigan
I'd make some low-profile ramps leading onto a flat "track" out of 2x or plywood.

Make the front and rear part of the track fixed to the ground with something light-duty like water-based caulk.

Make the cetner section of the "track" removable.

Idea is its all assembled into one ramped, track. The car sits either 1.5" or 3" higher than normal.

When you want to use the lift, simply pull out the center section where the wheels are not resting. Now you can swing the lift arms in, and raise the car up normally.

Set the car back down, now reinstall the center portion of the track, drive car back out for road testing.

It might be better to have the entire track and ramp asm removable, but if the ramp angle isnt shallow enough, it can start to "push" rather than the wheel climbing it.
 
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MarlynOC

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Jan 6, 2017
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Location
Warrington PA
Matt,like that idea with removable center section to pull out and insert the lift. The car is so low and the exhaust system is even lower. Want to get under to install heat shield under exhaust as car gets to 155-160 on temp gauge last summer when temps outside was 97. So your feet and legs are quite uncomfortable to say the least.
 

GPW

Member
Joined
Feb 3, 2017
Messages
8
Location
Cambridge, UK
I had this problem with two vehicles, endless playing with 4x2's to lever it up to get a jack under was a nightmare.

The solution I found works perfectly: a 4 post parking lift.

Just driving it onto the ramp gives you 4-5" of height and even if you have a low ceiling - a low car like yours still gives you good sitting room underneath. You can even sit on a trolley.

Then buy a jacking beam for those 'wheel off' jobs. Note that you can also use a 4 poster like a 2 poster if you are careful - build a platform the same height as the ramps, drive it partway on, support the sills/jacking points with blocks and up you go: instant 2 post lift simulation. A jacking beam is easier and better though.
 
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