Maxjax, after the dust settles

[PCW]

Hey Group,

New to the forum. I join a few weeks ago in regards to reading some info on the Maxjax. I have been very impressed with all the knowledge that the forum offers on the many threads available. With all that said, here is my question: If you could do it all over again, would you go with the Maxjax or not? I understand about new products and it does take time to work out all the bugs. I have to be honest, I'm surprised at the problems some of you have had with missing parts, quality issues etc. Please advise, I just don't want to waste my time and money Vs. going with a different type of lift.

Thanks,
PCW

 

[rbahr]

Hi All,

Same question - any regrets?

TIA

Ray

 

[weicm3]

why not? good product, reasonable pricing, nice people to deal with, and they do their best to resolve problems reported.

 

[nmk_61802]

I think all the people missing parts all had the same parts missing, and those parts were for an accessory that you pay extra for that they threw in for free at the last minute.

Only one person really reported problems and missing parts not associated with the motorcycle lift.

I haven't fully installed mine yet, but so far I would purchase again, although probably not at full price. Although IMO if you can not fit a full height lift, this is the best design on the market today.

 

[PCW]

Thanks for the comments, but let's try this another way. What are the Cons you have found with the Maxjax. I just order mine today, so your opinions will not sway my decision in getting one or not. My biggest concern is it's ability to lift more that 4000 LBS and how structurally sound the posts and lifting arms are. What is the heaviest car/truck you have lifted? Thanks.

PCW

 

[C2C6Z06]

I will let you know in a few days...I am picking up my MaxJax tomorrow AM and plan to lift my 2500 Crew cab diesel P/U with it....

 

[cw_racefan]

No regrets here! I have lifted my 4800lb Chevy Tahoe with it with no problems whatsoever. You can rock the truck a little bit, but after talking to my neighbor who's an ex-mechanic, he said he's never used a 2 post lift that you couldn't rock a truck that size. Other than the missing adapter, which as explained above is probably due to the m/c kit being thrown in for free, I've had no problems. For someone with a low ceiling who wants to be able to get the entire vehicle off the ground it's great!

 

[FlameOut]

I unfortunately still have not installed my MaxJax, and I've had it for over a month. I planned on installing in my current 1 car garage, but I'm about 50% done with my new and improved 28 x 34 2 car garage, so I'm just going to wait. I sure hope I am not missing any parts.

I sure have no regrets buying, but not sure I would have purchased it at full price, especially since I'll have over 10' high ceilings in my new garage and can install a full height lift

 

[PCW]

Thanks to all for your input. I have 10'8" ceilings in my garage. I have 2, 2 car garages about 990 Sqf. The problem is I do not want to remove my garage door opener in garage #2, with a full size lift I would have to. Also, I like the idea if I ever have to move it, I can. I would still like to here from you all that have opinions/comments regarding this lift. I can't wait til my comes, I'm told there on BO and will be 2-3 weeks.

PCW

 

[G-force]

I'm picking mine up tonight. It's waiting at the terminal for me. I probably wont have it up and running for a few weeks though. Weather will be too nice this weekend to be stuck inside working.

 

[PCW]

C'mon G-Force, you have a lifetime of good weather Let's get that Maxjax up and working. I live in Northern CA and from now til Sept-Oct we will have no rain, only sunny days Let me know how the install goes.

PCW

 

[chrislehr]

question for those WITH

I saw one thread where the guy did deeper concrete to support their jack, and was wondering - what do you all run for depth?

 

[G-force]

C'mon G-Force, you have a lifetime of good weather Let's get that Maxjax up and working. I live in Northern CA and from now til Sept-Oct we will have no rain, only sunny days Let me know how the install goes.

PCW

Brought it home tonight and unpacked it and inspected it. It has alot of surface scrapes and scuffs but I expected this. The only real issue is that it took a hit on the axle of the cart that holds the pump. The shaft was bent and now the wheel wont go on that side. I will need to contact Danmar about replacement parts I guess.

 

[PCW]

That *****. Danmar needs to do a better job of packing these lifts. I understand that the shipping companies are the one's not handling with care, but shippers never do. Having scratches and scrapes while understandable, is not acceptable. G-Force, if I received the lift in the condition that yours came in, I would be calling Danmar or whoever you bought from and giving them an option, take some money off the price or send me a new lift that isn't all tore up.

I'm getting mine from GES and they will be installing as well. You can bet I will be there to see it unpacked and if I see anything I don't like, everything will stop until it is made right. I understand this is a lift and is bound to get scratches and scraps, the difference is, I will be the one who applies them, not the shipping companies the Danmar used, that's the important fact. Remember you are paying for this lift and it should arrive in perfect condition. Danmar could say, "Yes, but it was free shipping" that doesn't mean it can arrive in any condition. Good luck G-Force and let us know how it turns out.

PCW

 

[wachuko]

... here is my question: If you could do it all over again, would you go with the Maxjax or not?...

Yes.

If you have the ceiling height for a normal two-post unit then go with a normal unit. But, if like me, your celing height is the limiting factor, the MaxJax is the way to go.

Very pleased with the lift.

 

[PCW]

Thanks Wachuko. How thick was everyone's concrete? I pulled out my house plans the other day and it listed the garage at 4" and 2500 PSI. But when I look at the pictures I took during the foundation pour, the garage looks thicker than 4" to me. I should be good.

PCW

 

[wachuko]

In my floor the concrete thickness varied... anywhere from 4-6"

 

[C2C6Z06]

I picked up my MaxJax Friday, put it together on Sunday but haven't drilled the floor yet. All the parts were there and in good shape. The shipping setup was great - If you got a bent/broken part due to shipping, then the gorillas were playing with it! Will be drilling tonight,,,cant wait to use it!

 

[ajrweb]

My concrete thickness was 6 inches. Also I am very happy with the product overall and I too had no alternative for a two post with 8 foot ceiling. I installed it 128 inches apart (from back of mounting plate) this setup accommodates my Viper, my Expedition EL and my 66 GTO. Next is to remove the overhead garage opener and use a Liftmaster 3800 jackshaft opener to get a little more height especially for the Expedition

HTH

AJ

 

[PCW]

Thanks aj. Few question, I have smaller cars, 08 STI and Wifes 09 Mazda 5, do you think 128" would be to wide for those smaller cars? Should I bring it in to maybe 120" or 125"? Also, how high can you lift right now without changing out the opener?

Thanks,
PCW

 

[PCW]

I picked up my MaxJax Friday, put it together on Sunday but haven't drilled the floor yet. All the parts were there and in good shape. The shipping setup was great - If you got a bent/broken part due to shipping, then the gorillas were playing with it! Will be drilling tonight,,,cant wait to use it!

Thanks C2C6Z06. Let me know how the the install goes, thickness of your concrete and the distance between the posts.

Thanks,
PCW

 

[ajrweb]

PCW,

I know that 128 is too big for my mazda 3. I haven't finished calculating my second set of holes but I figure 120 to 125 may be fine, but might have opening door issues (might be tight). I would suggest a mock setup put the posts at 125 and put the cars between them and slide the arms under the cars and see if you can hit the lift points adjust posts to get correct width.

AJ

 

[PCW]

PCW,

I know that 128 is too big for my mazda 3. I haven't finished calculating my second set of holes but I figure 120 to 125 may be fine, but might have opening door issues (might be tight). I would suggest a mock setup put the posts at 125 and put the cars between them and slide the arms under the cars and see if you can hit the lift points adjust posts to get correct width.

AJ

Thanks AJ. I will do that. Also, looking at your pic, can you pull the car on the lift backwards, front end pointing out, looks like you would gain about 18" with the Viper at lease, might not make a difference with the other vehicles.

PCW

 

[ajrweb]

Thanks AJ. I will do that. Also, looking at your pic, can you pull the car on the lift backwards, front end pointing out, looks like you would gain about 18" with the Viper at lease, might not make a difference with the other vehicles.

PCW

I can put the Viper either way, the way it is in the pic I still have 5 feet from the nose to my workbench (which is the way I prefer to work on it). When I install the jackshaft garage door opener and the door down it will make no difference on any of my vehicles

AJ

 

[FlameOut]

So many Maxjax threads, I wasn't sure where to ask this.

Anyhow, I finally installed my MaxJax (although just temporarily) and had a couple of questions.

First off, I installed it at 125". No reason, it just seemed good. Now if I measure between the 2 lock bars at top of columns, I get 106 5/8". When I put a load on it (car about half way up) that distance closes to 106", so the columns are pulling in 5/8"s of an inch. Is this normal? They are still very solid and bolts are all tight when I check (with no load) and it goes back to the 106 5/8" when car is lowered.

I also noticed my car was going up a little uneven, but that seems to have corrected itself. Is that normal for the Maxjax to eventually level itself off when lifting the car?

 

[bazar01]

First off, I installed it at 125". No reason, it just seemed good. Now if I measure between the 2 lock bars at top of columns, I get 106 5/8". When I put a load on it (car about half way up) that distance closes to 106", so the columns are pulling in 5/8"s of an inch. Is this normal? They are still very solid and bolts are all tight when I check (with no load) and it goes back to the 106 5/8" when car is lowered.

Well I have not measured how much the columns pull in when I put my 3000 lb. car. However, I put a carpenter's level on mine and it barely changes in vertical plumb.

Unbolt the column and swing it out and check to make sure the top of the Wej-it anchors are still below the concrete surface. If the top of anchor is right there at the surface, it failed to grip the concrete. Bolts can be tight just because the top of the anchor is hitting the bottom of the plate. Not good!

 

[ItBurnsWhenIPee]

I will let you know in a few days...I am picking up my MaxJax tomorrow AM and plan to lift my 2500 Crew cab diesel P/U with it....

I didn't think that the Maxjax had the capacity to lift that much.

I had crossed it off my list for that reason.

Soooo...Let us know how that works out for you!

 

[C2C6Z06]

IBWIP, I had to cut and pour new 4X4' sections because my floor was in poor condition. I am drilling (finally) this weekend and will let ya know if it holds or if the pressure relieve valve kicks in and stops the truck from raising...

 

[FoMoCo_Mofo]

Having this thing for the longest amount of time of anyone on this board, I can tell you I have had ZERO need or want to swap my MaxJax for any other lift out there.

It does exactly what i need it to do with my Bikes Cars & ATVs and it can be moved easily into a corner when not in use.

For me, it's the best of all worlds!