Garage Work Pits,who has them?

[LCD]

Ahah, I figured it was an M-37 / Power Wagon from the looks of that rear end and the wheelbase. The NDT's kinda gave it away too.

Nice work!

Thanks A_Pmech, yeah the NDTs are a dead giveaway for PWs and M37s, also as you pointed out they both used that rear. It's not the strongeat one ever designed but since it's stock and that's the look I was going for I left it in rather than convert to something better/stronger. Carter

 

[LCD]

Kinda the same picture-different states!

Yours is a lot cleaner than mine, handy to use aren't they? Thanks for posting the pic. Carter

M37 rebuild webshots albums:
1953 build: http://news.webshots.com/album/247061965WWtrqv
1952 build: http://news.webshots.com/album/570863608ObpErL

 

[Paul K]

Great thread! I am thinking about installing an inspection pit next summer- just not sure how tall/wide to make it.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Paul.

 

[MadMark]

I have one. Made it safe as I could. Exhaust/fresh air /phone/ carpet/ and wall beer pockets too.

Is the phone for talking to your girlfriend while hidding from the misses?

 

[MadMark]

My specialty was/is "automotive handyman" and I've done the same thing here in Italy. ].

Interesting, how where you able to work in Italy? I would think they would not allow foreigners to work there, and Iceland too. Sounds like you have an interesting life, I would like to hear more.

 

[mad57]

I have a open center car trailor i welded up a 2 5/16in ball on a pipe and concreted it into the ground and hook the trailor to it and just drive to car or what ever on it and work under it. i cant stand but can get to alot of stuff under there, also have thought about a half pit and one of those car lot display racks over that, that would be a cheap way out or just park car trailor over that as well. i own a 4 post now but op is right def a creepy feeling under any thing that heavy.

 

[Wow]

The oil change places don't actually have individual pits but a large room under the service bay with openings for access to the vehicles. I'm sure they are ventilated and I know they use them for storage of the filters and such as well.

Yep...I was just looking at an X-Jiffy Lube shop a few weeks ago. The whole thing had a basement, with a 7' ceiling. They stored all kinds oil and stuff in there. The openings in the floor had been covered though...

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

I have one. Made it safe as I could. Exhaust/fresh air /phone/ carpet/ and wall beer pockets too. Exhaust system is on anytime I'm in the pit with lights on-which is always. A real summertime bonus is its real cool in the summer! Have other lifts too. I use em all.

I see a phone jack but no phone...

 

[keflaman]

Interesting, how where you able to work in Italy? I would think they would not allow foreigners to work there, and Iceland too. Sounds like you have an interesting life, I would like to hear more.

PM'd

 

[sberry]

Now days the cost of a lift is comparable to cost of pit construction, I don't like pits as one is constantly climbing in/out. The labor saved from being able to walk under a car is what makes a hoist so easy to use. That plus the fact so much work needs to be done with wheels off the ground.

 

[Brookesy]

Years ago i worked at a garage that used to service coaches it had 2 pits & a 2 post lift. Loved working in the pit. It had lights, air supply & power. There was a jack mounted on rails that could slide the full length of the pit & stairs at the end.

Easily park 3 cars over it when we closed up for the night & nobody ever fell in, come close to driving a sooty van into once though.

 

[brownbagg]

how you get the motorcycle across the pit

 

[c39er]

I see a phone jack but no phone...

Here is the pic of the phone jack-couldn't find the pic with the red hotline phone hooked up! I used to swap the phone around the shop and it got scratchy/static, threw it away. I should get another but now use a walk around in the shop. Pit is 18 years old. Hard wire was still so common!

 

[c39er]

Is the phone for talking to your girlfriend while hidding from the misses?

I use it to call the wife for more beer and pizza!

 

[Wow]

Now days the cost of a lift is comparable to cost of pit construction

Sad but true. I thought breifly about digging one at my shop - I stopped after I got a $500 quote just to dig the hole!

 

[studly_rsm]

I have a 36"x16' pit in my spot(left over from my heavy truck days)There is a 4" drain out the bottom that seems to pull the fumes and water out good.I do have a habit of keeping it spotless(because of fire worries)There is lots of light and a good set of metal steps for access.The big draw back I see with a pit is you are always going up/down as oposed to sideways to get tools and stuff while doing a job.Makes a great hot tub in a pinch!!!(you might be a red neck if!!)

 

[Snap50]

Pits are not legal in all localities, so check with the town before getting too excited about having one.

 

[e-tek]

I'm ressurecting this thread to see if anyone lese has pics of their pit....

 

[SuitorsGarage]

Here you go e-tek
Our pit is 47"X14'

 

[Torque1st]

Check the dimensions for a pit lift when building a pit. I believe they are made for a pit 36-38" wide. They come in a surface mount or flush mount configuration. They make a nice addition to a pit.

 

[big.jim]

i got a pit and a mid rise lift and both have advantages, wheel work lift is better transmission work pit is better both are good for oil changing and i can drive a car half over the pit so im under the sill /door for welding etc, pit is better for vehicles with dubious chassis frames though