Just Ordered an Advantage Lift !

[danieldd]

Actually I put a $1K deposit on a DX-9000HD to be delivered in January. Got some things to do in the shop before it gets here. Since they are at Mecum right now, I got $200 off the price. Additionally, since I live on a farm and have a farm card, I don't have to pay sales tax, which saves me a few hundred as well.

Got to figure out whether I want to let them install it for an additional $600 or do it myself...

Lastly, the rep told me the lifts are getting ALI certified in January and there will be a price increase to reflect the certification. They are not having to make any design changes to achieve the certification. Apparently the current lifts meet the criteria for ALI.

Hopefully, by the time I get mine it will have the ALI stickers applied to the equipment

 

[930dreamer]

Two post or four? I watched the video for the four post and that looks very DIY.

 

[danieldd]

Four..

 

[ace10]

I've assembled two XLTs and had them assemble the smaller one another trip due to a back that was giving me some trouble at the time.

The one heavy track is a ******. At least for a one man band.

Other than that, the hardest part was paying attention to their videos for clues how to raise the two posts once you've got the crossbar on.

I had rented an engine hoist, and it was a real POS. Went into terminal failure on the second assembly. Ended up using a high lift floor jack and a lot of creativity.

It can be done. Just don't expect to be a quick or efficient job.

A material lift is the right tool for the job. Having two or more heavy duty furniture dollies is a big help, too.

 

[Dandy1008]

I just recently installed a Wildfire 4 post lift. It is similar in design to the advantage lift. I was able to do the install myself in about 7 hours. I could have done it quicker but I took a lot of time to plan out how to move things since I was alone. I did have the assistance of a forklift and lifting straps. For unloading the lift I had it on a tilt trailer. I tilted the trailer and pushed the lift crate until it made contact with the floor and drove out from under it.

To lift the uprights with the crossbeam installed, I put some wood pieces in the holes above it so when the buckets would raise it would hit the wood and stop.

I just followed the instructions and took my time moving everything. I was super grateful to have a forklift I was able to borrow. I would rather assemble this alone with a lift vs. with the help of other people. Those ramps are really heavy.

 

[jmiller_2308]

First, congratulations, you are going to love having the lift.

I had my lift installed but my buddy had his delivered and we installed it together. It is very heavy so make sure you have something to do the lifting.

Installation took us most of a day but a lot of that was trying to be sure we put it together correctly. In the end, my installed by advantage lift works better than my buddies self installed one.

I'd assess your skills, tools, and potential risks if you screw up vs. the cost of $600 installation cost.

 

[Snip]

I ordered and put money down on my DX 9000 XLT a while back as my shop was not complete. I looked at them at one of the Mecum shows and liked the product. Tony was great to deal with. It (and the air scissor jack)have shipped to the closest terminal and I should be able to pick it up Monday or Tuesday. I can't wait to get it home.

 

[danieldd]

First, congratulations, you are going to love having the lift.

I had my lift installed but my buddy had his delivered and we installed it together. It is very heavy so make sure you have something to do the lifting.

Installation took us most of a day but a lot of that was trying to be sure we put it together correctly. In the end, my installed by advantage lift works better than my buddies self installed one.

I'd assess your skills, tools, and potential risks if you screw up vs. the cost of $600 installation cost.

I have the skills and maybe the tools, like my tractor to pick up the heavy pieces, but I may just let them install it.

 

[danieldd]

I ordered and put money down on my DX 9000 XLT a while back as my shop was not complete. I looked at them at one of the Mecum shows and liked the product. Tony was great to deal with. It (and the air scissor jack)have shipped to the closest terminal and I should be able to pick it up Monday or Tuesday. I can't wait to get it home.

Yes, I worked with Tony as well. Please keep us informed of your progress.

 

[Snip]

I will and I too will also be using the tractor, with loader bucket, and a pallet jack method during assembly

 

[rburke65]

Letting them install it will move the liability ball to their court, so that does have some benefits.

 

[dcg9381]

What's the total cost on it delivered?

 

[Zmann]

I vote for self install to learn the nuts and bolts of it

 

[Dandy1008]

I vote for self install to learn the nuts and bolts of it

I agree with this. When I did my install I had a few things to adjust to my liking. I knew not to make the adjustments and also knew things to watch for. The first time I tried to lower it, I noticed the far side was hanging up. I raised it back up and found that I hadn’t tightened a connection on the opposite release bar so it did not release. Just because someone else does the install does not mean they can do it better.

Similar example: last Spring I was getting really busy but wanted to get my lift installed in my Jeep. I thought about having someone do it. Well Corona hit and I had more time. I did the install myself, learned a little about my Jeep and saved enough money for a new stereo and back up camera (which I also installed). I now know what the suspension components are supposed to be torqued to and where they are located. I now check them at every oil change to avoid a loose bolt that could create the Jeep Death Wobble.

If you have the equipment to safely do it yourself or with help, I suggest doing so.

 

[Mthomas1686]

I just got my advantage 11k last week. I've been putting it together by myself....in the dark (still don't have electric yet!)
I vote for assembling it yourself if you have an engine hoist, dollies, and some lifting straps.
You will not be disappointed with your purchase....these lifts are SOLID!

 

[danieldd]

I just got my advantage 11k last week. I've been putting it together by myself....in the dark (still don't have electric yet!)
I vote for assembling it yourself if you have an engine hoist, dollies, and some lifting straps.
You will not be disappointed with your purchase....these lifts are SOLID!

I've got an engine hoist and a tractor. I should be able to make it work but since I'm confined to a 36x40 inside area, I don't know if that is enough room to maneuver around with a tractor...

 

[04duramax]

I got my advantage about 3 years .
I vote put it together.

 

[ToddG]

I put my 9000 xlt together myself with no help. I used a engine hoist and did it in my driveway. It did take me all day because I was very careful. If I had to do it again, maybe 4-5 hours. Take your time....

 

[drmarkr]

I have a 9k four post at the shop at the track....my (then) 14 y/o son and I assembled it in a few hours....no equipment, just had two of the guys that work there give us a hand lifting the runners onto the end posts/supports.

Same son, now 15 yrs old, and I installed a 10k two post in our new shop at home about 5 months ago. We did this one entirely by ourselves, no equipment needed.

Seriously, do this yourself. They're both a piece of cake. Find a YouTube video to help you and just do it.

 

[Glemon]

Thanks drmarkr, was trying to figure out if my son and I could handle it, I have one coming in a couple weeks.

 

[ace10]

If you don't have any lifting equipment of some sort, then the people doing the assembly better be up to a serious lifting challenge. The two biggest tests are tilting each set of posts connected by the crossbar. And then getting the heavy ramp bolted into place.

The posts are a challenge from there's-no-turning-back-now perspective, but they're not massively heavy. Just awkward.

The ramp with the ram is probably 5-600lbs. And has to be aligned with through bolt holes.

 

[409425hp]

Save yourself some cash,do it yourself.I have an atlas 4 post that I put together by myself.It is not that difficult.I used an engine hoist and a floor jack with blocking.If I remember right it took about 4 hours.You are going to need hydraulic oil,so just make sure you have some on hand because the first thing you are going to want to do when you have it together is raise it.

 

[HAULNSS]

If you have some strong friends, that will help, too.

I picked up the double lift used (and close to home) and with my son and two friends, the four of us tore it down, brought it home, reassembled it, and had a car on it in four hours.

No hoist or lifts, but it would've helped with the heavy runway that has the hydraulics.

Good luck!
Randy

 

[danieldd]

Thank you all for the great suggestions and the pictures. Can't wait till it gets here next month. One thing I forgot to purchase was a sliding jack. Anybody got any good recommendations?

 

[drmarkr]

Thank you all for the great suggestions and the pictures. Can't wait till it gets here next month. One thing I forgot to purchase was a sliding jack. Anybody got any good recommendations?

I bought a sliding tray, the cheapest one I saw. I then bought a pneumatic bottle jack from HF which I use to lift the car to get jack stands under the front, and then move the tray to lift/jack stand the rear. Works excellent.

Another cool thing I did that we use frequently with the Formula cars is I mounted an electric winch in the jack tray, and then used the 4.5 grinder to cut a slot for the cable to run down through the tray. I can use that small winch to lift the Formula cars by the top of the roll bar to get it up onto the rolling stand. You might find other uses as this turns your 4 post lift/jack tray into a movable hoist (at least fore/aft)!

 

[MoonShiner]

I am interested to see if they actually get the ALI certification. From what I've seen they have been promising that for years.

 

[Mthomas1686]

I got mine all set up and into position, just have to do a final torque and check over everything before I put my car up on it.
This thing is top notch though, you will be very happy with it.

A couple things to note....make sure to grease all the pulleys they come dry. Also the rod that goes through the track has holders....I did not see those at first so I had to take it all back out and start over! And last I added a flat washer for the ramp to crossmember bolts. They only include 1 per bolt but I feel you need one on the back side. That's my only gripes!

 

[jmiller_2308]

Another cool thing I did that we use frequently with the Formula cars is I mounted an electric winch in the jack tray, and then used the 4.5 grinder to cut a slot for the cable to run down through the tray. I can use that small winch to lift the Formula cars by the top of the roll bar to get it up onto the rolling stand. You might find other uses as this turns your 4 post lift/jack tray into a movable hoist (at least fore/aft)!

I second that! A lift can be used for a lot of things. I've also used mine for loading/unloading everything from heavy equipment to a project motorcycle out of the bed of my truck.

When Wheeler Dealers was actually good I loved to see how Edd China would use his lift to assemble/disassemble cars.

 

[Garry]

I am interested to see if they actually get the ALI certification. From what I've seen they have been promising that for years.

Call Advantage and talk to Tony Weber and have him add the Rolling Bridge Jack to your order. I got the manual one and it's great!

 

[D-train]

Advantage has sent out an email, and lists on their site that the 9000 lift is now ALI certified. So it has happened!

 

[JKagermeister]

Had our 9000XLT installed on Monday. Excellent quality lift!


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[bams50]

I bought one this summer. Greg Smith Equipment sold me on it... after seeing it side by side with theirs

Price for the 9000 was about $3600. That included the aluminum ramps, drip pans, and rolling tray. Delivery was quoted at $475 to my place in central NY. I went and picked up at their southern PA location.

I assembled myself in 3 partial days with nothing but a floor jack and a bunch of wood blocks. I did so by watching a portion of their video online and then doing that part, then the next segment. Only thing I improvised was the lifting of the runways, jacked up from the deck of my trailer baled under the frame.

Have used it quite a bit and am very happy with it. Well worth the extra money.

Just for the record, when I bought mine at Carlisle for $3600 the Greg Smith was on sale for $2046. Both were 9000 lb. capacity. Yet, I bought the Advantage. Enough said.

 

[Andy Kraus]

Also Love my Advantage DX-9000XLT delivery taken a few days before Memorial day. Had it up over 2 partial days. Engine Hoist and wheel dollies were used for setup. I did have an extra set of hands to help me stand up the posts with the crossbar attached.

Only Add-on was the manual bridge jack. I want another, and will probably get the Air operated one from advantage because they are both about the same price now.

I also added on (after a month or so) the Rubber pads for underneath each posts, and the LED kit for the runways. This lift is SOLID, operates smoothly with proper care and maintenance. I haven't used it to lift anything heavy out of my truck or trailer yet....but I know I will soon.

 

[nadogail]

May your new lift serve you well for for many years, as you enjoy good health.

 

[dagofast]

Also Love my Advantage DX-9000XLT delivery taken a few days before Memorial day. Had it up over 2 partial days. Engine Hoist and wheel dollies were used for setup. I did have an extra set of hands to help me stand up the posts with the crossbar attached.

Only Add-on was the manual bridge jack. I want another, and will probably get the Air operated one from advantage because they are both about the same price now.

I also added on (after a month or so) the Rubber pads for underneath each posts, and the LED kit for the runways. This lift is SOLID, operates smoothly with proper care and maintenance. I haven't used it to lift anything heavy out of my truck or trailer yet....but I know I will soon.

I'm curious why you added the rubber pads. In 2+ years of use, mine has slowly "walked" an inch or so on my very smooth epoxy floor. Do the rubber pads prevent that?

 

[Andy Kraus]

I'm curious why you added the rubber pads. In 2+ years of use, mine has slowly "walked" an inch or so on my very smooth epoxy floor. Do the rubber pads prevent that?

I got the rubber pads to help offset minor floor sloping issues to help level the lift out more, and they do seem to help with the walking in my case. My floor is bare concrete sealed with Legacy industrial HD-39

 

[dagofast]

Thanks for the quick answer.

 

[danieldd]

Lift finally arrived earlier this week. Took friggin forever! Decided to do the installation myself and save the $600. Son came over today and its pretty much put together. I need to adjust and tighten everything up and fill the hydraulic reservoir and run the lift up and down and do some more adjustments. Hopefully should have it fully operational in the next couple of days....