MaxJax Column Spacing

[C2C6Z06]

There are a lot of MaxJax users now that my concrete issues have been fixed, I am about to become one of you

I want to know the distance between columns that has worked (and perhaps not worked) for various cars...The cars I am primarily concerned with are:

C6 corvettes (both verts and Z06); 2002 BMW 5 series; 65 Mustang.

Can the posts be set further than 130" (outside plate measurement)?

Thanks....

 

[revlover]

Oooh, C2C... you just posted this thread to tell everyone what kind of cars you have...

The posts can be setup anywhere... they just have to be able to reach the lifting points of your narrower cars. I would lay them out with the arms to test it out. Make sure to install them wide, but still reach.

 

[PCW]

I set mine at 125" and 130". The 125' will work with my 08 STI, the wife's 09 Mazda5, the sons VW Turbo Beetle and Scion, Daughters Civic. I have yet to move the columns to the 130" position. At 125", there is plenty of room to get out of the cars mentioned above. Doors can open to the first stop when opening the doors.

PCW

 

[jvelcro]

Should there be a minimum spacing from the edge of the wall?
Also, how about a relief cut in the concrete (down the middle in my case), minimum distance from there?
My wall to the relief cut is about 130", so if i have to leave space, mine will be 120" or so, is that ok? When were talking spacing, that's from the outside of both base plates, correct?

-jim

 

[C2C6Z06]

Oooh, C2C... you just posted this thread to tell everyone what kind of cars you have..

Well, I hadn't looked at it like that, but now you know and I hope to learn what other posters have

The problem I had was with the Z...At 130" outside plate spacing, the fully retracted arms just lined up with the lifting points on the (wide) frame. I was thinking of going wider to extend the arms but wasnt sure if fully retracted was more desireable...

 

[Junkman]

I have mine set at 23 feet apart.. I lift from the front and rear of the car...

 

[C2C6Z06]

Junkman, you crack me up!

I finally got it installed today. Put the outside edges of the plates at 133" and have about 5" to spare...Now to finish the drywall, cabinets, rob a bank to pay for it, and the epoxy floor...THEN I can fill up the kegerator with a real KEG!!

 

[troublemaker427]

I have a '64 Galaxie and a '99 F-250 that will be put on the lift. Would 135" be a good distance for these larger vehicles?

 

[C2C6Z06]

I have a '64 Galaxie and a '99 F-250 that will be put on the lift. Would 135" be a good distance for these larger vehicles?

I dont know offhand. I figure the wide positioning for the Vette is due to the fore/aft lifting points are only 39" apart, causing the arms to be more toward the center thus having to move the colums apart. On other cars, the fore/aft points may be further apart allowing the arms to spread and bring the columns closer to the vehicle...

 

[FoMoCo_Mofo]

I have mine set at 96" and it works well for my `59 T-Bird and `09 F150.

 

[amishman]

Did my columns 110" and that was just right for my VW Thing. Will have to see how it does for the buses now. Should be perfect also. tj

 

[gyroplane]

Going to (hopefully) drill for post mounts Wednesday - any other comments on spacing from anyone before I commit? So far, every installation seems to be a success regardless of spacing (with the exception of one statement I can't find now about being too close to get the arms under without pulling to car forward and back), is this just good planning, or the versatility of the lift regardless of spacing?

I am particularly interested in how far away the posts can be and still work with small cars. rberga1 - what is your spacing, and how does it work with the mini? TheFireBuilds - your experience with the spacing and Miata's?

Also, any other comments about how close to side or back wall for sufficient working clearance?

Thanks in advance.
-Sky

 

[LWW]

I'm lifting a 1983 Datsun/Nissan 280ZX with my columns spaced 124" apart and the arms are hardly extended to reach the lifting points. I'm going to test with my Durango this weekend. If they're too close for the Durango, I'm going to put in 3 additional anchors to move the column out to the full 130". It only takes 3 because I can re-use the two anchors in the back of the column on the outside for the two side anchors when the column is moved. That should give me the flexibility I need for the "wide" truck and the narrow Datsun's.

 

[kool]

Junkman, you crack me up!

I finally got it installed today. Put the outside edges of the plates at 133" and have about 5" to spare...Now to finish the drywall, cabinets, rob a bank to pay for it, and the epoxy floor...THEN I can fill up the kegerator with a real KEG!!

You set your posts 133" apart (out side of plates)?
Explain the 5" to spare.....where?
How wide is your ZO6? My '56 is 73" wide, and am thinking 128" apart might be good.

My only step now is to locate it in my shop and they will be near concrete relief cuts.

Any suggestions??

 

[C2C6Z06]

Kool, the 5" is per side - you can probably see the arms slightly extended at each point...I forget right now what the width was,,,Kinda think it was 63" or so side to side and 39" front to back...What I really ended up doing was to set the Right post, position the car and mark the left post....that came up to just about what I had measured..

 

[zipoleon]

I see they used your Corvette in the Garage Eqiptment Supply catalog on another lift also, nice car.

 

[Gasket]

I placed mine at 123" since this worked well with one bay of my two bay garage.

This spacing is perfect from my 2000 Trans Am because of the short wheel base and the frame is closer to the outside of the car.

When I lifted my wife's 2007 Impala, I realized that the 123" is the max spacing for that car. I had to extend the arms all of the way and reposition the car further forward then I wanted so that I can reach the frame rails and have the arms as close to the tires as possible. I want to keep the arms as far apart from each other as I can so the car is more stable on the lift.

I was originally going to space the columns a few more inches apart, but I determined it would then be hard to center the car inbetween the columns while driving through the single wide door opening.

 

[kool]

Thanks for the reply C2C6ZO6, I understand now.

Gasket,
That is my biggest problem now. Just want to find the perfect spot that would accomodate my cars and placement in the garage.
Once it's mounted, I don't want to unbolt it.

I'm thinking 128" apart (outsides of base plates might do it).

Gotta go out and get a 7/8" masonry bit for my Hilti gun (using 5/8" pilot hole).

Can't wait, but rather take my time before I find I picked the wrong spacing.

Thanks

 

[daft_mx5]

Bringing this thread back!

About to get the Maxjax and am contemplating post spacing, seeing if I can get away with one position.
These are the main vehicles that will be lifted.
-Miata
-s2000
-Volvo V70
-Mini Cooper S
-E36 M3

Thinking 126"? Anyone have experience lifting with these cars?


Thanks

 

[cyanidecotdpnuts]

The easiest way to measure the distance you need between the two columns can be judged either using the outside of the mirror measurement (arms up) or outside of the wheel measurement (arms down) of the vehicle you desire to lift. The difference between the two measurements is that the first one is the measurement of the ENTIRE space between the two columns while the second measurement is the distance between the arms in the lowered position. As long as you're aware of what those distances are (and you can measure your vehicle for 100% accurate numbers if you can't guestimate). You can mount the power unit on either side so it would be assumed that side clearance can be as minimal as probably 1' or 1-1/2'. Try to steer clear of installing near drains (usually sloped floors) or relief cuts as the tension of cars being on the lift near those weak spots in the concrete can lead to cracking. That's about all I can advise on.

 

[petee_c]

Bringing this thread back!


Thinking 126"? Anyone have experience lifting with these cars?


Thanks

My MaxJax is at 126" (I believe) - just finished 'temporarily' installing it - I need to lengthen the cables, but I have lifted

2001 Boxster S
2002 Jetta
2003 CRV

P

 

[daft_mx5]

My MaxJax is at 126" (I believe) - just finished 'temporarily' installing it - I need to lengthen the cables, but I have lifted

2001 Boxster S
2002 Jetta
2003 CRV

P

Nice, thanks, were the arms pretty stretched out? Think a wider car would fit ?

 

[petee_c]

Nice, thanks, were the arms pretty stretched out? Think a wider car would fit ?

I think the crv had the arms extended the most. I think a wider car would fit. I believe the MaxJax manual says that full size pickups are to be between 120-130" for column placement (outside base plate measure)

P

 

[digsetcrush]

i lift the s2k. no problem. i have mine set at 130" i think, b/c I have other wider cars, camry, suv, etc.

Bringing this thread back!
About to get the Maxjax and am contemplating post spacing, seeing if I can get away with one position.
These are the main vehicles that will be lifted.
-Miata
-s2000
-Volvo V70
-Mini Cooper S
-E36 M3

Thinking 126"? Anyone have experience lifting with these cars?


Thanks

 

[olytdi]

What I did was space the columns as wide as I could for my narrowest vehicle (old style Trooper). That way, I can lift the skinny car at nearly full arm extension, and the wider cars (VW Golf and various friend's imports) with the arms less extended. I don't think I'll find a car skinnier than a trooper that I need to lift.

I think that came to about 128 inches or so.

 

[NewShockerGuy]

Should there be a minimum spacing from the edge of the wall?
-jim

Anyone have information on this? I have been trying to see what the answer is. Nothing on maxjax site about it.

I don't want to put it right up against the wall due to the cut from the wall to the floor and have the floor crack there from the anchors being put in...

Thanks,
-Nigel

 

[skamp]

Anyone have information on this? I have been trying to see what the answer is. Nothing on maxjax site about it.

I don't want to put it right up against the wall due to the cut from the wall to the floor and have the floor crack there from the anchors being put in...

Thanks,
-Nigel

If think most lift vendors say 12" from any crack. Not sure about from the wall. If you have no cracks I would think you could put it pretty close to the exterior walls have a footer that is much thicker so can't see a problem there.

Steve

 

[regguy1]

I put my post just far enough away from the wall that I can squeeze through..I hate walking all the way back around it

 

[WVBrady]

If think most lift vendors say 12" from any crack. Not sure about from the wall. If you have no cracks I would think you could put it pretty close to the exterior walls have a footer that is much thicker so can't see a problem there.

Steve

But the floor is not tied to the footer, no?

 

[UPSHIFT]

But the floor is not tied to the footer, no?

6" from any edge of concrete or major crack. Joint lines do not count as edge of concrete. Hope this helps..

Gabe
Dannmar

 

[skamp]

But the floor is not tied to the footer, no?

I guess it depends. Here they do monolithic slabs where the footers and slab is all poured together so in my case the inside wall in my garage is like 10" away from the edge of where the concrete starts.

Steve

 

[JMAL]

Bump for helpfulness

I have mine 129" outside plate to outside plate.

Cars lifted

2011 Acura TL SHAWD (pretty heavy)
2002 Mazda B4000 4x4
1987 BMW 325ic e30
1988 BMW 325iS e30

The acura has plenty of room and is fine to leave columns up all the time. slight arm extension
The mazda..... i have to line it up perfect and at max extension i can just get enough frame to get it on. I forgot that the frame rails are so far in when i installed the maxjax
The bmws go up fine with mid extension of the arms

If i didnt have the pickup, i would say this is great and roomy. Its a few inches too wide for the pickup to be handled easily.

Hope this helps someone. PM if you want pics or have Qs

 

[nefkntym]

Grave digging on an old thread, but for anyone doing a new installation, like I just did. I have 2003 A4 on the lift with the spacing set at just under 135", like 134.75".

We just moved a new house, this is the first use at our new place. At my old house, I had it installed at around 118".

 

[realien]

I am about to move my lift and would like more space between the posts. When they talk about baseplate, are we measuring from the square plate or from the "wheels" at the back to the column? The square plate is 9" from the front of the column, the wheels are 12". I its from the square plate, then I can push mine back a few more inches..


I assume the area I marked with "1" is the back of the baseplate rather than the "wheels" being considered the back of the baseplate..

 

[Denwood]

It's from the back of the base plate

 

[Doug]

It's from the back of the base plate

I've got 139" on mine. It takes a C5 Corvette with the arms in pretty tight, a Hyundai Elantra with about half arm extension as well as the El Camino in my avatar.

 

[realien]

I've got 139" on mine. It takes a C5 Corvette with the arms in pretty tight, a Hyundai Elantra with about half arm extension as well as the El Camino in my avatar.

I'm going to have to have a good test fit on mine this time (moving it to a new space) on the McLaren 12c the front arms are good, the rear arms 'just' about reach, and the lift points are a good 12' inside the body on a metal plate embedded in the carbon tub. I'd love to make them a bit wider as it's tight with the dihedral doors. I guess this time (had a different car when I installed the lift) I'll position the lift in its "ideal" location then measure the distance in the base plates.. last time I was fighting with a support post in the garage and don't want to pay for a new beam to remove it.