Garage lift recommendation

[y2k600f4]

I been actively researching and looking for the right lift for my needs. I have considered a portable 2 post lift (maxjax), Quick Jack, Kwick-lift (discontinued), mid-rise scissor lift (2 styles: open-center and the non-open center).

I am a hobbyist that historically has done all my own car maintenance/repairs over the last 30++ years and hoping to soon find a good restoration project in the near future and would be great to have a lift vs lifting the entire car on jackstands. Not a fan of the quick jack (not enough height plus blocks access to sides of vehicle), Kwick-lift seems like it would work with the center bridges but almost impossible to find used locally plus the setup/breakdown is not ideal but probably could make it work, maxjax looks like a solid unit but probably overkill for my needs plus I really don't want to mess with mounting, storing and it takes up some more space that I would prefer to sacrifice.

This leaves me to the mid-rise lifts. The non-open version (like the older harbor freight model) I don't prefer due to the non openness, although I do like the design of the swing arms (seems like it will work with both unibody and body on frame vehicles).

Now for the mid-rise open-center style lifts.

Pros
-Can park over them easily
-with dolly option easily be moved around
-fast to lift a vehicle
-versions with electric vs pneumatic safety releases that don't need to be hooked up to an air compressor

Cons
-not ideal for body on frame vehicles w/o added cross bars or modification
-bottom support bars are in the way
-not sure if it can work on short wheelbase vehicles such as jeeps
-impossible to find used locally (if I did, transporting it would be a chore due to weight)
-expensive (prices have really increased the last couple of years)
-The company Twin Busch (model TW-S3-10E) no longer has distributers in the US

I'm open to any suggestions/opinions on a lift that may be best for what I am looking for, thanks in advance.

 

[kngelv]

I just went through all of this and feel your pain. There are so many options it can get confusing. My first attempt was a MaxJax but while my test holes showed a depth of 5" but it turns out that one side of my garge was only 3" and I did not want to do a cut out and then re-pour a section on that side. I thought about the mid-rise scissor style but two of my vehicles have frame rails too narrow for the runways which means additional support items are needed. I also don't like the fact that you can't roll a creeper from end to end because of the cross supports. I ended up with a Backyard Buddy 4-Post lift that was made in Ohio. I have a rolling jack tray with it so you can raise your wheels off the runways. I also like that I can roll front to back on a creeper and that the middle is wide open. I plan on putting pics up over the weekend.

James

 

[y2k600f4]

I just went through all of this and feel your pain. There are so many options it can get confusing. My first attempt was a MaxJax but while my test holes showed a depth of 5" but it turns out that one side of my garge was only 3" and I did not want to do a cut out and then re-pour a section on that side. I thought about the mid-rise scissor style but two of my vehicles have frame rails too narrow for the runways which means additional support items are needed. I also don't like the fact that you can't roll a creeper from end to end because of the cross supports. I ended up with a Backyard Buddy 4-Post lift that was made in Ohio. I have a rolling jack tray with it so you can raise your wheels off the runways. I also like that I can roll front to back on a creeper and that the middle is wide open. I plan on putting pics up over the weekend.

James

Thanks James for the post. My original search started with a 4-post. My biggest concern if I spend the $ on the mid-rise scissor is the added modification for narrow frame rails/body on frame, yeah the cross supports/creeper issue is another concern. I may have to revisit the mid-rise scissor lift that does not have the open center, at least there is better alignment to various vehicle mounts but the cons are not ideal for parking over (can make it work), center is not open and using a creeper from end to end is still an issue.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

Thanks James for the post. My original search started with a 4-post. My biggest concern if I spend the $ on the mid-rise scissor is the added modification for narrow frame rails/body on frame, yeah the cross supports/creeper issue is another concern. I may have to revisit the mid-rise scissor lift that does not have the open center, at least there is better alignment to various vehicle mounts but the cons are not ideal for parking over (can make it work), center is not open and using a creeper from end to end is still an issue.

I am confused; you started by addressing his comment about 4-post and switched in the next sentence to scissor lift.
What was your issue with 4-post?

 

[y2k600f4]

I am confused; you started by addressing his comment about 4-post and switched in the next sentence to scissor lift.
What was your issue with 4-post?

Sorry for the confusion, my bad. 4 post was not mentioned in my original post....made a comment that my search started with a 4 post when responding to his reply but currently not on the table. Right now I am considering mid-lift scissor options.

 

[kngelv]

Check this link for my recent install. I would seriously consider a 4-Post lift. Good luck.

Backyard Buddy 4-Post Lift Installed

I love helping my 17 year old work on a few older vehicles but am tired of laying on my back. Decided to buy a lift. He has A 1997 and 1998 Ford Ranger plus a 2009 Dodge Caliber that will be the first car on the lift. He was given the Caliber by his grandmother. The front crossmember is rotted...

www.garagejournal.com

James

 

[txvwnut]

I have two mid-rise scissor lifts and can tell you that open versus closed have no benefits as the lift mechanism eats up the real estate in the middle anyway. Both of mine are solid top and the benefit to having a solid top is you have a rather large work surface when there is no vehicle on it. The bulk of the vehicles that go on them are aircooled veedubs and for them they are perfect. Now I have done clutches and transmissions on conventional cars and trucks with my lifts it just takes a little creative thinking to get it gone. For low cars I have a pair of risers that I made out of treated 2x4’s and 3/4 plywood.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

Another vote for a 4 post. I got one, with two sliding bridge jacks. It is a wonderful setup.

 

[y2k600f4]

Thanks for the info. I may just have to look into 4 post lifts. I think I have 12+ ceiling and probably 10.5' or so clearance when garage door is open. The biggest concern I have had in the past is giving up real-estate for the 4 posts.

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

Thanks for the info. I may just have to look into 4 post lifts. I think I have 12+ ceiling and probably 10.5' or so clearance when garage door is open.

With 12' ceilings I'd absolutely be looking at either a 4 post with bridge jacks or a fullsize 2 post if budget and the type of work you plan on make it more sensible than a 4 post.

Mid-rise, maxjack, etc in my opinion are good options for people that are space limited and more importantly height limited.

A 4-post takes up a fair amount of real estate but can also create more real estate as you can use it as a storage lift for a project car and store another vehicle underneath.

 

[kngelv]

If I had a ceiling that high then a full sized lift is the answer for sure. If you don’t have anything on the 4-post then you can walk right under it, park a car etc. The actual floor space used is quite small. A scissor lift is always laying there and you end up walking around it all the time. You could also do a full size two post.

James

 

[y2k600f4]

Seems like the 4 post would be the way to go for both storage and convenience on working on vehicles. Lots of options! Looking at the 8K lifts (Tuxedo, Triumph, Amgo, Atlas etc.) only hinderance is the price!! Prices are going up and finding used is preferred but seems like I won't save much in the end. Leaning towards the Tuxedo WL8K-DLX-XLT (don't need the added height of the XLT but the extra width and lenght looks to be a plus). 2024 prices are approaching the $4K mark, not sure I can justify spending that much right now.

 

[Nick1980]

I have used the 4 post from Triumph (NSS8) for years, super happy. No problems, seems bullet proof and is wide enough for exotics! Initially bought it for an Aventador which is particular wide, now have a F12 on it. Made a short video of int as well in case of interest -