Lift modifications Thread- Lets see them!

[ndm]

In order to make sure to give credit to the original posters and owners of the mods I will be posting here, I will be adding links to the threads/posts or sites where I found the mods. I will also be adding quotes from those places so you can click on the owners quote and go straight to their thread/post. Just look for the "Originally Posted by ......" and click on the little arrow button


I am starting this thread because I am dreaming about buying a lift but until I have the bucks for the garage expansion, I cant fulfill that dream...So either way I would love to see what creative things you all have done with your lifts.

I am talking about add-ons like electrical outlets, Air compressor lines, lights and stuff like that but I am really interested in outside the box stuff. I will add some that I found here that I think are brilliant!



Anyways, So show off those crazy lift mods for everyone to enjoy!

First is the Wheel-Engaging Adaptors for Car Lift seen here...
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=141934

 

[ndm]

So, I have the space on the side of my existing garage where the 34X10 foot tandem will eventually go on the side of the existing garage. Right now it is a paver driveway that I put in and it wraps all the way around to my patio out back. I was thinking I could get a 4 post and put it outside but build a shed type of structure around it that could maybe have a roof that raises with the lift. I dont want to let the Chicagoland suburban weather rust my lift to death but I also do not want to wait to get the garage extension done.

It's probably just a crazy idea that will never get done...

 

[ndm]

I will add this one found online. Simple paint.

Dont be shy guys!!

http://www.pinstriping.dk/blog/airbrush/custom-airbrushed-car-lift/

 

[rattle_snake]

The lift I have had been previously narrowed to specifically fit VW bugs. They cut the cables/hoses and extended 2 of the arms to allow the doors to be opened while on the lift.
I undid the changes and put it back to original width, next step is outlets and air hose reel.

 

[ndm]

The lift I have had been previously narrowed to specifically fit VW bugs. They cut the cables/hoses and extended 2 of the arms to allow the doors to be opened while on the lift.
I undid the changes and put it back to original width, next step is outlets and air hose reel.

Lemme see some pics. Remember, I cry myself asleep at night because I cannot have mine right now!!LOL. I need Lift ****!...That is the point of this thread!

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

I have a #10000 Quality lift by Challenger. Pops my Diesel PU right up and is stout enough but I never felt super confident in the small footprint of a two post lift especially when the weight is never perfectly balanced. The bay I put it in is only 15' wide and that allowed me to build in a solid anchor point at the top of the lift for a bar on each upright to add a little extra bracing. Here are a couple pics. Nothing special but even with near capacity loads all the way up the lift feels absolutely rock solid now. Ed.

 

[ghlkal]

So either way I would love to see what creative things you all have done with your lifts.

OP, great thread. I'm interesting in seeing these ideas also.

 

[600SL]

My lift is all stock but I just added a 25' hose real to it.

 

[ndm]

I have a #10000 Quality lift by Challenger. Pops my Diesel PU right up and is stout enough but I never felt super confident in the small footprint of a two post lift especially when the weight is never perfectly balanced. The bay I put it in is only 15' wide and that allowed me to build in a solid anchor point at the top of the lift for a bar on each upright to add a little extra bracing. Here are a couple pics. Nothing special but even with near capacity loads all the way up the lift feels absolutely rock solid now. Ed.

That is frickin awesome. I am leaning toward the 4 post lift due to being able to move it around, but if i ever got a 2 post, I would do similar things to mine. I just never get the warm and fuzzies about 2 post lifts for some odd reason. I have been under many of them and I really never quite feel "sure" about them.

Great job on the supports!

OP, great thread. I'm interesting in seeing these ideas also.

Dont be afraid to share any thing that you may find out there too. Hopefully this could be a go-to thread for creative lift modification ideas for years to come!

My lift is all stock but I just added a 25' hose real to it.

Sweet. Looks like a water separator setup too. I think this mod would be a must have on any lift.

 

[RWorth]

I have a #10000 Quality lift by Challenger. Pops my Diesel PU right up and is stout enough but I never felt super confident in the small footprint of a two post lift especially when the weight is never perfectly balanced. The bay I put it in is only 15' wide and that allowed me to build in a solid anchor point at the top of the lift for a bar on each upright to add a little extra bracing. Here are a couple pics. Nothing special but even with near capacity loads all the way up the lift feels absolutely rock solid now. Ed.

I did the same thing to one of my posts, wait until the engineering crew comes in here and tells you how it's going to bring your garage crashing down. Looks good, you did prettier than mine, I just used a couple of 2-1/2x2-1/2x1/4" angle irons, I should atleast paint them one of these days.

 

[excavator]

I have a 4 post Bendpak with rolling jack but I customized a old truck hitch to serve as a second jacking device and i cut it down so t fits in the slides.

 

[LX-Markham]

^^^that's a great idea! I might steal that one.

And the painted lift looks amazing! Nice work ndm.

wait until the engineering crew comes in here and tells you how it's going to bring your garage crashing down.

ok, I'll refrain from inquiring about the reinforcement in the block wall.

Here's my double wide Bendpak. I've added aluminum grating between the two outside ramps.

 

[aka Larry]

I added a duplex outlet and retractable cord reel to my Atlas 9KOH lift.

 

[ndm]

I have a 4 post Bendpak with rolling jack but I customized a old truck hitch to serve as a second jacking device and i cut it down so t fits in the slides.

That hitch jack is slick. I am a fan!

^^^that's a great idea! I might steal that one.

And the painted lift looks amazing! Nice work ndm.



ok, I'll refrain from inquiring about the reinforcement in the block wall.

Here's my double wide Bendpak. I've added aluminum grating between the two outside ramps.

I would Love to get a doublewide. The aluminum grates are nice. What was the cost on them?

I added a duplex outlet and retractable cord reel to my Atlas 9KOH lift.

Yet another must have for any lift. I will assume that drilling small self tappers into the legs is safe?

 

[LX-Markham]

The aluminum grates are nice. What was the cost on them?

They are just set in place, so they are removable when I need access working on the side of the car. I wanted aluminum to make them lighter to handle. Kind of pricey at $700, but it makes my setup so much more usable.

 

[scooz14]

I have a #10000 Quality lift by Challenger. Pops my Diesel PU right up and is stout enough but I never felt super confident in the small footprint of a two post lift especially when the weight is never perfectly balanced. The bay I put it in is only 15' wide and that allowed me to build in a solid anchor point at the top of the lift for a bar on each upright to add a little extra bracing. Here are a couple pics. Nothing special but even with near capacity loads all the way up the lift feels absolutely rock solid now. Ed.

i wanted to do this in my shop but was told by an engineer and rotary not to as the lifts are designed to move slightly and the walls are not. if you ever have a failure your insurance may not like the fact that you modified the lift and installed it against manufacturer recommendations.

my lift has a set of 120v electrical plugs on it but thats the only "mod" i have done to it.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Not a concern for me and I sleep fine in the knowledge that in the event of any "failure" in the lift catastrophic injury or damage will be prevented by the safety bars.....they don't move and neither does the lift. Ed.

 

[ndm]

Adding another that I found on this forum...

Yes - great thought. This idea came to me from when I rolled out my wife/son's drawing paper roll on the lift a few weeks ago to make the counters.



I might also start wrapping Christmas presents with building paper.

 

[ndm]

They are just set in place, so they are removable when I need access working on the side of the car. I wanted aluminum to make them lighter to handle. Kind of pricey at $700, but it makes my setup so much more usable.

I plan to add a loft above my existing garage once I add the lift bay on the side. I want to add something like you did to make my future lift into an elevator type of way to access the loft.

 

[rburke65]

Oh yes......the insurance companies won't like that extra support and don't forget never to add a wood burner in your shop........ RWorth....the engineering and fire crews are here! Oh....and nice jobs on the lifts guys.

 

[Falcon67]

Like the bracing, I'm going to do some bracing after I open up the ceiling, but it'll be wood. The posts are between some big joists so boxing them in tight with 2x lumber will be plenty enough to stop a total catastrophe without impinging on the posts in normal operation. If things start heading for hell, you only need enough margin to get away.

 

[ndm]

Oh yes......the insurance companies won't like that extra support and don't forget never to add a wood burner in your shop........ RWorth....the engineering and fire crews are here! Oh....and nice jobs on the lifts guys.

Like the bracing, I'm going to do some bracing after I open up the ceiling, but it'll be wood. The posts are between some big joists so boxing them in tight with 2x lumber will be plenty enough to stop a total catastrophe without impinging on the posts in normal operation. If things start heading for hell, you only need enough margin to get away.

Al this reinforcement talk is making me very nervous to even think about the 2 post variety.

I am really leaning towards the 4 post. If they made a 2 post that could allow me to store a vehicle over my ram 2500 with the topper (about 6'7") then I would be more interested in a 2 post. I really do not understand why some manufacturer does not make a 2 post with like 8 ft rise to accommodate the hanging tires. I realize that many 2 posts will allow a lower car to fit but I need my 13 SRT jeep to be able to be stored above my work truck.

 

[killahog]

My 2 Post Bendpak does not have any additional support, I had this truck about 18" off the ground when the frame buckled. It happened so fast I dident have time to notice where all the movement was coming from but I thought I caught a glimpse of the posts shaking . If the truck would have been higher off the floor I expect the weight would have shifed enough for the truck to come off the arms. With something like that happening the extra supports at the top might make a difference in how much the posts move . The posts are level they just look like there tilting because of the angle the picture was taken, or the way the truck is sitting

[/URL][

 

[ndm]

My 2 Post Bendpak does not have any additional support, I had this truck about 18" off the ground when the frame buckled. It happened so fast I dident have time to notice where all the movement was coming from but I thought I caught a glimpse of the posts shaking . If the truck would have been higher off the floor I expect the weight would have shifed enough for the truck to come off the arms. With something like that happening the extra supports at the top might make a difference in how much the posts move . The posts are level they just look like there tilting because of the angle the picture was taken, or the way the truck is sitting

[/URL][

Holy...

Frickin....

****..... (which is what would be i my underwear if that happened)

 

[joel]

THAT is seriously scary.

 

[vwb5t]

added 2 4ft 12v DC LED light bars to my 4 post using magnets to hold them on and make them movable, put a 12v transformer and switch under the rail and have a hanging extension cord that goes up and down with the lift.

 

[ndm]

added 2 4ft 12v DC LED light bars to my 4 post using magnets to hold them on and make them movable, put a 12v transformer and switch under the rail and have a hanging extension cord that goes up and down with the lift.

Do you ever regret getting a 4 post over a 2 post?

 

[bucktruck]

My 2 Post Bendpak does not have any additional support, I had this truck about 18" off the ground when the frame buckled. It happened so fast I dident have time to notice where all the movement was coming from but I thought I caught a glimpse of the posts shaking . If the truck would have been higher off the floor I expect the weight would have shifed enough for the truck to come off the arms. With something like that happening the extra supports at the top might make a difference in how much the posts move . The posts are level they just look like there tilting because of the angle the picture was taken, or the way the truck is sitting

[/URL][

Judging by the amount of rust on the bottom of the doors I hardly think that it is any way your fault. The owner of the truck should be glad that it buckled on the lift instead of when he was driving.

 

[vpd66]

My 2 Post Bendpak does not have any additional support, I had this truck about 18" off the ground when the frame buckled. It happened so fast I dident have time to notice where all the movement was coming from but I thought I caught a glimpse of the posts shaking . If the truck would have been higher off the floor I expect the weight would have shifed enough for the truck to come off the arms. With something like that happening the extra supports at the top might make a difference in how much the posts move . The posts are level they just look like there tilting because of the angle the picture was taken, or the way the truck is sitting

[/URL][

How did you tell the owner of the truck that when you lifted his truck to change oil it broke in half??? LOL I couldn't resist!

 

[vwb5t]

Do you ever regret getting a 4 post over a 2 post?

my original plan was for a 2 post and the floor was poured thick with that in mind but i changed my mind when i started looking at my options and what I'm mostly going to use the lift for, its mostly for storage so i can get more cars out of the driveway, but don't get me wrong I've used the hell out of the lift since i got it in the spring, everything from simple brake jobs and oil changes to engine swaps. the trolley jacks make getting the wheels off easy and you have a work surface with the ramps, somethings suspension wise are a little more difficult than a 2 post but i don't regret a 4 post at all.

i also went with the extra wide and extra tall 9k rated 4 post so i can put my 3500 dually diesel on it and it fits pretty damn good and lifts it with no issues, it was just to do an oil change but i wanted to get it on the lift.

 

[killahog]

Judging by the amount of rust on the bottom of the doors I hardly think that it is any way your fault. The owner of the truck should be glad that it buckled on the lift instead of when he was driving.

The truck was 21 years old and driven in Ohio the entire time, the frame was rusted pretty bad.
[

 

[killahog]

How did you tell the owner of the truck that when you lifted his truck to change oil it broke in half??? LOL I couldn't resist!

fortunally the truck was mine the cause of the frame buckling was (1). 21 years of driving on roads coated with salt. (2). Improper placement of the lifting pads. I should have been using the rear spring hangers.

 

[ndm]

fortunally the truck was mine the cause of the frame buckling was (1). 21 years of driving on roads coated with salt. (2). Improper placement of the lifting pads. I should have been using the rear spring hangers.

Yeah...I fricking hate living in the midwest. Hopefully soon I can relocate to Georgia and be finished with the salt and winters for good.

 

[ndm]

Adding mods from the same dude that did the wheel adapters.

http://rennlist.com/forums/993-forum/684864-car-lift-modifications-for-the-ultimate-993-lift.html

 

[ndm]

Adding a lift mod to fit a 997

 

[ndm]

Might as well add this one too nice outdoor setup.

 

[ndm]

Adding Maxjax modification.

 

[ndm]

Adding this motorcycle adapter

 

[1953mercury]

Tied mine in at the top also, on both sides, and ran conduit with 4x4 box's and dual outlets on either side. re routed the heating duct up over the top of the hoist. Was going to add air, but it's close by and will be moving into the new shop in the spring. Mike

 

[WhiffySpark]

fortunally the truck was mine the cause of the frame buckling was (1). 21 years of driving on roads coated with salt. (2). Improper placement of the lifting pads. I should have been using the rear spring hangers.

Don't beat yourself up. That frame was way too weak. If you picked it up by the spring hangers it might have folded the other way. We lift trucks exactly like you did everyday. You have to if you don't have a 12k assymterical rotary