Installing a lift

[broncorick]

Hopefully the weather will warm up enough so I can get my lift installed. I am installing an Atlas 10VP, 10,000 lb lift. I enjoy as a hobby working on old cars and have quite the range, from 1942 MB jeep, 1952 M37 truck, 57 vette, 55 t-bird, 2 e-type jaguars, multiple 1966 ford broncos, spitfires and my 2001 F250 diesel that this lift should be able to handle them all. Most of the aforementioned and needing restoration (Jags are the worse shape, bird and vette are completed.) Always enjoy reading here others projects and pics so will be sharing my own soon!

 

[ADSR]

Hi rick. Are you installing the lift yourself? Looking forward to pics of your other projects as well. Sounds like you have a big collection!

 

[Concrete Homes]

I also installed a Made in USA 10k lift to work on various cars, but since I have a Dodge Cummins, like your F 250, I went 10k too. Drill a test to be sure your concrete is nice and thick. When I first went to install it, the slab was only about 3.5", so I cut out about a 5' segment where the posts were going to go, dug it down a foot or so, as well as under the existing slab about 10" back and cut up a bunch of #5 bar, and laid it this way and that, getting it under the existing slab. Used a 5,000 psi mix and filled it all back in, allowed 28 days wet cure, and then drilled in my bolts. All this delayed my install for a few months, but I figured it would be a bad one for the Concrete Guy to have his hoist fall on him because of a second rate slab... Those diesel trucks are heavy!

 

[Anthonyca]

I also installed a Made in USA 10k lift to work on various cars, but since I have a Dodge Cummins, like your F 250, I went 10k too. Drill a test to be sure your concrete is nice and thick. When I first went to install it, the slab was only about 3.5", so I cut out about a 5' segment where the posts were going to go, dug it down a foot or so, as well as under the existing slab about 10" back and cut up a bunch of #5 bar, and laid it this way and that, getting it under the existing slab. Used a 5,000 psi mix and filled it all back in, allowed 28 days wet cure, and then drilled in my bolts. All this delayed my install for a few months, but I figured it would be a bad one for the Concrete Guy to have his hoist fall on him because of a second rate slab... Those diesel trucks are heavy!

What two post lifts are made in the USA? I found Mohawk but didn't see any pricing.

 

[Jlbc212]

Some of the Challenger lift offerings are made in the U.S.A.

 

[rburke65]

I thought Rotary was made here.

 

[redmondjp]

What about BendPak? I believe that their lifts are still made in the US as well - see this 2011 press release about expanding their manufacturing plant in Santa Paula, CA:

http://www.bendpak.com/BendPak-New-Manufacturing-Complex-2011.pdf

 

[GCS]

To my understanding, the ONLY lift produced & assembled truly in the USA are Mowhawk lifts. All the others, including Bendpak,Rotary,Challanger, etc. are subassembled here with both American & Chinese parts. I was told this by a local lift dealer,and didn't believe him. After a lot of research, I found out the dealer was correct. Some dealers/salesmen might tell you it's American made,but unless it's a Mowhawk, it's not 100% American. The Rotary & Forward have Chinese components made to American specs and standards. Probably the same for Bendpak. Not sure about Challanger. A lot of 100% Chinese lifts. You usually get what you pay for. Or,as my old auto mechanics instructor used to say. You get what you don't pay for. As another poster previously said. You should never cheap out on a doctor,a lawyer,or something you work under.

 

[GP0256]

To my understanding, the ONLY lift produced & assembled truly in the USA are Mowhawk lifts. All the others, including Bendpak,Rotary,Challanger, etc. are subassembled here with both American & Chinese parts. I was told this by a local lift dealer,and didn't believe him. After a lot of research, I found out the dealer was correct. Some dealers/salesmen might tell you it's American made,but unless it's a Mowhawk, it's not 100% American. The Rotary & Forward have Chinese components made to American specs and standards. Probably the same for Bendpak. Not sure about Challanger. A lot of 100% Chinese lifts. You usually get what you pay for. Or,as my old auto mechanics instructor used to say. You get what you don't pay for. As another poster previously said. You should never cheap out on a doctor,a lawyer,or something you work under.

This is correct, I bought a Mohawk used off of a Challenger dealer last October and he told me Mohawk is the only lift made 100% in the USA with USA parts and components. He is a Challenger Dealer and told me that Challenger is "Chinese Junk"........ his words specifically. He said there were several made in the USA in the past, but any more, only Mohawk is truly made here, the rest are assembled here with Chinese metal, bearings and components.

 

[broncorick]

Weather too cold but now better. Suppose to be out in a week for install. I hired the install---the thought of drilling a hole in the wrong place worried me, and the installer will pick up and deliver the lift, install, fill with oil and test for $525. I had the building built and had them pour a 6" floor in and around the area of the lift. Can't wait to get it up and going as it will open up a lot of projects. Also bought the transmission jack and supports for use with the lift. Have a couple of clutches to work on!!

 

[LX-Markham]

Drill a test to be sure your concrete is nice and thick.

I had the building built and had them pour a 6" floor in and around the area of the lift.

Sounds like you got it covered.

My slab was hollow underneath

 

[classic boost]

wow, was that because it wasn't compacted properly?

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ ^ +1 . . . Are you Mud Jacking to fix it ??

 

[broncorick]

Yeah, lift is in. Went with the Atlas 10VP, 10,000# lift, certified and will pick up a dually diesel.
Will have to try and load pics at home--can't get computer at work do it.

 

[ADSR]

Yeah, lift is in. Went with the Atlas 10VP, 10,000# lift, certified and will pick up a dually diesel.
Will have to try and load pics at home--can't get computer at work do it.

Congrats! would love to see the pics!

 

[zollster]

Great choice on PV10P! Awesome tool for your shop,it is a beast! You will never, ever regret this purchase!

 

[Nekit]

Yeah, lift is in. Went with the Atlas 10VP, 10,000# lift, certified and will pick up a dually diesel.
Will have to try and load pics at home--can't get computer at work do it.

I've had an Atlas lift for a few years now and love it. No problems. Works great.

 

[broncorick]

Here is post with its first customer

 

[broncorick]

here is my 68 jag in the tear down process

 

[broncorick]

Install was done in 4 hours and I was gone for most of it. But pretty straight forward. You can see the nose of my 57 corvette--it will be up on lift soon for a clutch job!

 

[broncorick]

This is a prelift picture. Lift is where the white bronco is in the picture

1968 OTS e-type,
1955 T-bird
1966 Bronco 1/2 cab
1958 MGA

 

[broncorick]

Another view-lift is now where bronco is. 58 MGA in back behind my triumph Bonneville

 

[broncorick]

Inside of shop this time last year--depressing!

 

[broncorick]

a view looking out of doors

 

[TheOtherChris]

here is my 68 jag in the tear down process

"Tear Down"?
I think the jag started that process some time ago.

 

[rburke65]

Wow....love the T-Bird!

 

[broncorick]

The Jag sat unloved in a barn since 1978. All complete just in bad shape. As I started the disassembly I found a cracked frame for the motor: probably why it got parked, but otherwise unmolested (except by the rust).

 

[broncorick]

The T-bird came out of a backyard in Chicago in around 1985: it has sat there for 15+ years and was in BAD shape. My dad did the bodywork and paint himself, had the 292 Y block rebuilt and kept the PITA 6 volt system, although not as bad since I put electronic points and an auxillary electric fuel pump. Has both tops and is fun to drive! The vette was restored by my father in law. Has a 283, 4 speed and both tops as well. Clutch is out right now, won't disengage, but will go up on the lift for assessment and repair soon!