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MaxJax Transport, Install, Impression, and Comparison

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demoderbydave

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Nov 4, 2010
Messages
114
Location
Spencer Mass
I still do some install jobs, side work on other buddies hot rods, play with my toys and hang out. I mostly work on my 1978 Camaro Pro Street (6/71 BDS blown 355) and my Miata as well.
 
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m.james

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Joined
Sep 27, 2010
Messages
230
I still do some install jobs, side work on other buddies hot rods, play with my toys and hang out. I mostly work on my 1978 Camaro Pro Street (6/71 BDS blown 355) and my Miata as well.

Not that I would do anything with it but posting your license plates online is probably not a good idea. I like you car however. Good to see such a good looking car, what work have you put into it.
 

demoderbydave

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Joined
Nov 4, 2010
Messages
114
Location
Spencer Mass
Good point...I don't have much of a photo editing software at work and that was the only pix I had of it so I deleted it and reposted it.
I have done so much to the car it would take me an hour to type it out... I will post some more pix from home.
 

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Joe From NY

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Feb 25, 2010
Messages
527
Location
NY
Good point...I don't have much of a photo editing software at work and that was the only pix I had of it so I deleted it and reposted it...

If you use Windows, just go to Paint (under Accessories) and copy a chunk of grass and paste it over the plate, or use the tool option that lets you paint over it. If you look closely at my avatar, i have no head. I copied part of the bush in the background and pasted it over my head. It appears that i have been decapitated.
 
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Dolfan

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May 21, 2010
Messages
465
Location
Greater Atlanta
Please! Post Some Action pictures of your lift to keep this Informative thread going.

Hey, I'm the OP author and I put together this video that I sent in to the MaxJax folks, shows the lift in operation.


<iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UKPNUxcQkqo" frameborder="0"></iframe>


Hope this helps.
 
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Dolfan

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May 21, 2010
Messages
465
Location
Greater Atlanta
Sorry if I gave the impression that this was a "contest" video. Mine was not a contest video, just a overview of the operation of the lift for folks thinking about a MaxJax and wanted to see it in a home garage, not staged.
 

regguy1

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Joined
Dec 15, 2009
Messages
4,053
Location
On Mount Olympus with Zeus
Sorry if I gave the impression that this was a "contest" video. Mine was not a contest video, just a overview of the operation of the lift for folks thinking about a MaxJax and wanted to see it in a home garage, not staged.

I didn't think yours was a contest video, Dannmar did post it on their facebok page. The video that got the 1000.00 was by Chris DeBrock
 

EuroVt

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Joined
Nov 28, 2010
Messages
103
Location
Central Vermont
This is a great thread. Thanks to all for posting your experiences. I am seriously considering his option. Anyone have one of these in a salty environment? My car drips **** all over the place this time of year and I'm concerned about salt water getting into the concrete and destroying the bolts over time. Maybe silicone around the base?

I also have a 10' ceiling with a 12" beam across the middle. So this lift may not go high enough. Perticularly when one of our small convertibles is on it.

Maybe the Mowhawk would be a better choice. I have 5-6 months to take the plunge.

Advice? Thanks.
 

dmeadow

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Joined
Sep 3, 2005
Messages
952
Location
Houston, Texas
This is a great thread. Thanks to all for posting your experiences. I am seriously considering his option. Anyone have one of these in a salty environment? My car drips **** all over the place this time of year and I'm concerned about salt water getting into the concrete and destroying the bolts over time. Maybe silicone around the base?

I also have a 10' ceiling with a 12" beam across the middle. So this lift may not go high enough. Perticularly when one of our small convertibles is on it.

Maybe the Mowhawk would be a better choice. I have 5-6 months to take the plunge.

Advice? Thanks.

I've got the MaxJax. It works fine in my 8' garage and I like being able to move the posts easily. However, if I had a 10' ceiling and didn't mind the posts being permanently set, I would have gone with a full size 2 post lift. Even with my 8 foot ceiling I'm giving away a foot or more of lift with my low convertibles (MGA, XKE, MG Midget).
 

Joe From NY

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Joined
Feb 25, 2010
Messages
527
Location
NY
Maybe the Mowhawk would be a better choice. I have 5-6 months to take the plunge.

Advice? Thanks.

If you have the space, and the money, and want a permanent install, there is no comparison. Check out how well these completely american made lifts are built. If you don't need portability and you don't have a situation of limited height or limited cash, in a comparison with the Mohawk, all the others might as well pack it in and go home.

http://www.mohawklifts.com/library/How_2Posts_Lifts_Are_Made.pdf

http://www.mohawklifts.com/library/brochures/what_makes_a_mohawk.pdf

That being said, if it were not for Maxjax, i wouldn't have a lift today, i use it all the time and i do love it.
 
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EuroVt

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Joined
Nov 28, 2010
Messages
103
Location
Central Vermont

LARSOFVT

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Joined
Jan 18, 2011
Messages
60
Location
Vermont
EuroVT,
I have been wanting a Mohawk for years. They are made not to far from you, (near Albany, NY)
 

drmoonshine

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Joined
Aug 17, 2010
Messages
327
Location
Oxnard, California
If you have the space, and the money, and want a permanent install, there is no comparison. Check out how well these completely american made lifts are built. If you don't need portability and you don't have a situation of limited height or limited cash, in a comparison with the Mohawk, all the others might as well pack it in and go home.

http://www.mohawklifts.com/library/How_2Posts_Lifts_Are_Made.pdf

http://www.mohawklifts.com/library/brochures/what_makes_a_mohawk.pdf

That being said, if it were not for Maxjax, i wouldn't have a lift today, i use it all the time and i do love it.

Isn't the MaxJax an American made lift?
 
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Dolfan

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Joined
May 21, 2010
Messages
465
Location
Greater Atlanta
UPDATE

I've had the MaxJax for maybe 6 months but have not done much for the past 3 months as I've been busy, but getting ready for the 2011 SCCA season I'm now busy.

One thing I found when I put the car up was the I have a leak on one of the posts, it doesn't seem to be at the connection so I'm afraid it might be the seal?? Need to look more closely at this.

The one thing when I do use the MaxJax that I keep wanting is more holes for more working positions. I don't work under the car when only supported by the hydraulics. So this is one thing I found that makes the adjustment easy.

I'm using my jack stands as height supports for working on the car in a raised poistion
photo-3.JPG


The reason for this is when working on this car over the fenders, it is so dang low it will still kill my back, so this allows me to move the car up and down to be comfortable. When I need to work under the car, I just lift it onto the middle or top position, then back down on the jack stands to work up top.

photo-2.JPG


Of course this doesn't solve the issue with needed more positions between the top two positions but I do like to have the car at multiple positions when doing engine and suspension work.

More to Come ..........
 

Denee007

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Joined
Oct 21, 2010
Messages
266
Location
Cypress, Tx
Hey! as for the leak, seems like it'd be fairly easy to locate? Hopefully it's just needs a little teflon tape! I like your idea about the jackstands and glad you posted cause I was thinking about doing just what you did! So we still need our old faithful jackstands from time to time!
I agree with added holes! I was putting a CV axle in my daughters car and obviously could only get it to the first notch due to my 8'ceiling, but I could have gotten a little higher with a strategically added hole/s! However each of my vehicles would just about need its own holes! Then I just about need a higher creeper as my creeper is just too low~ I got the job done, and I'm not complaining, I love my MJ!
dne'

maxjaxoutback.jpg
 

demoderbydave

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Joined
Nov 4, 2010
Messages
114
Location
Spencer Mass
I have had my Maxjax for about 6 months now. I love it as well. I would check the fitting going into the cylinder for tightness/teflon tape...it might need just a bit of snugging up...mine did as I had the same problem. The only problem is your cylinder is now full of ATF...nice mess if you remove it...I would lay it down (front down) and check that first...if it is not coming from there then it looks like a leaky cylinder...I have read about a few of them elsewhere on the forum...Dannmar was sending out new ones...contact Gabe if that is what it turns out to be.

As far as more locking locations go I plan to drill some in. The cylinders don't know where they are supposed to stop (or care either I will bet :lol:)
The support bars will hold it...Just don't "swiss cheese" the thing!
 

VatorMan

Active member
Joined
Feb 9, 2011
Messages
29
Location
Maryland
This thread caused me to get a MaxJax. It's waiting in my garage for installation this weekend. I was able to get it out of my truck easily breaking it down to smallest components. I put the wheels on the posts and edged them off the tailgate and used the leverage to ease them down.

I too am getting ready for race season. A couple of HPDE's at Summit Point then on the Watkins Glenn in May. :shocking:
 
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Dolfan

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Joined
May 21, 2010
Messages
465
Location
Greater Atlanta
This thread caused me to get a MaxJax.
Cool, that was the intent of doing this thread. I just didn't have the type of information I wanted to make my decision when looking, so I did this. Glad it helped you out.

Good luck out on the track, and be safe! I've got a date at Road Atlanta soon!
 

VatorMan

Active member
Joined
Feb 9, 2011
Messages
29
Location
Maryland
Cool, that was the intent of doing this thread. I just didn't have the type of information I wanted to make my decision when looking, so I did this. Glad it helped you out.

Good luck out on the track, and be safe! I've got a date at Road Atlanta soon!

So glad you posted about post distances as well. I have a C6 Grand Sport and was curious what everyone thought.
 

540i6

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Joined
Jul 26, 2010
Messages
48
Location
Hayward, CA
I've also had MaxJax for about 6 months now, very pleased. Recently completed my "permanent" install. Here it is in action:
 

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Denee007

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Oct 21, 2010
Messages
266
Location
Cypress, Tx
OMG! I want to do my pump like that!!! Just how long can hoses be~ is there any limit? I was thinking running my hoses through my attic and down to the far column~ your setup is really neat!!!:thumbup: Good job!
dne'

I've also had MaxJax for about 6 months now, very pleased. Recently completed my "permanent" install. Here it is in action:
 

540i6

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Joined
Jul 26, 2010
Messages
48
Location
Hayward, CA
OMG! I want to do my pump like that!!! Just how long can hoses be~ is there any limit? I was thinking running my hoses through my attic and down to the far column~ your setup is really neat!!!:thumbup: Good job!
dne'

Thanks! Not sure about the maximum length, my setup is roughly 25' on one side and 35' on the other. I've found that as long as the system is bled well, the difference in length has no impact. But I had to bleed it maybe like 30 or so times to get all the air out. After I've done that, lifting became even.
 
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Dolfan

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May 21, 2010
Messages
465
Location
Greater Atlanta
I wanted to ask fold that have had the MaxJax in place for 6 months or more, how often do you remove the posts? I'm seeing a lot of people here that are basically making the MaxJax into a low ceiling permanent 2 post lift.

I have not mounted my power unit or changed the line, but I admit it would be nice to get them out of the way.

I wonder am I lazy? I'm just unhooking one line and swinging the power unit around to the other side of the garage out of the way. I leave the post right in between the two bays as these cars don't get driven daily.

What is everyone doing, especially given one of the selling points was the use it/store it idea.
 

540i6

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Joined
Jul 26, 2010
Messages
48
Location
Hayward, CA
I've never removed the posts since I first mounted them. And now that the cables are out of the way, I never remove them either, especially that the system needs to be rebled every time the cables get reconnected. I've found that even with the posts mounted, there's still enough room for the second car and my wife does not mind, so it's an easy solution. When my current projects are over with I may move the posts to a corner, but most likely just leave them there, it's nice to have the lift always ready.
 

Joe From NY

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Feb 25, 2010
Messages
527
Location
NY
Hey 540i6, i would think that with the run of your hoses being so much higher than the pump and the cylinders, that there would be the possibility of air bubbles going up to the high point of the system. in the original design, the hoses are always at the lowest point of the system. Too bad there wasn't a bleeder valve up there at the highest point.
 
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VatorMan

Active member
Joined
Feb 9, 2011
Messages
29
Location
Maryland
Installed !!

MaxJax023.jpg


MaxJax026.jpg



Works great. Dannmar DID mark the wrong ports on the fluid distributor and that cost me about 2 hours of troubleshooting.
 

540i6

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Joined
Jul 26, 2010
Messages
48
Location
Hayward, CA
Hey 540i6, i would think that with the run of your hoses being so much higher than the pump and the cylinders, that there would be the possibility of air bubbles going up to the high point of the system. in the original design, the hoses are always at the lowest point of the system. Too bad there wasn't a bleeder valve up there at the highest point.

True, that made it harder to bleed the system. Before I hooked up the posts I hung the hoses in an upward spiral and pushed the oil all the way to the quick disconnects first. Having my hoses connect from above I also reversed the quick disconnects so that the posts and the pump have female parts screwed on them and the hoses are male. This way I can flood the female parts with oil before connecting the hoses to minimize the air getting into the system. After I connected the hoses to the posts I bled the system many times over and finally got it working better then I had it originally. The lifting is even all the way.

When I was priming my spiraled hoses, at one point the shorter hose was spitting out oil in a connected milk jug before the other longer hose finally got filled with oil. I was surprised by how fast the oil stream is. Knowing that plus the oil viscosity, you should be able to get all the air out of the system with no issues.
 

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Dolfan

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Greater Atlanta
True, that made it harder to bleed the system. Before I hooked up the posts I hung the hoses in an upward spiral and pushed the oil all the way to the quick disconnects first. Having my hoses connect from above I also reversed the quick disconnects so that the posts and the pump have female parts screwed on them and the hoses are male. This way I can flood the female parts with oil before connecting the hoses to minimize the air getting into the system. After I connected the hoses to the posts I bled the system many times over and finally got it working better then I had it originally. The lifting is even all the way.

When I was priming my spiraled hoses, at one point the shorter hose was spitting out oil in a connected milk jug before the other longer hose finally got filled with oil. I was surprised by how fast the oil stream is. Knowing that plus the oil viscosity, you should be able to get all the air out of the system with no issues.

Holy Clothes Lines Batman!
 

Rodbuilder

Active member
Joined
Aug 2, 2010
Messages
42
Nice job VM. Looks like we have a few things in common :beer:

IMG_0328.jpg



IMG_0258.jpg


I used these 6" extensions on the lift, makes it just high enough for me to comfortably get under the Z.

IMG_0260.jpg


These 90* elbows make the hoses lay down flatter on the floor.

IMG_0324.jpg



Installed !!

MaxJax023.jpg


MaxJax026.jpg



Works great. Dannmar DID mark the wrong ports on the fluid distributor and that cost me about 2 hours of troubleshooting.
 

Rodbuilder

Active member
Joined
Aug 2, 2010
Messages
42
I have three different locations for the MJ in my shop and I move them all the time, I've got it down to about a 10 min ordeal. I like the flexibility.

I wanted to ask fold that have had the MaxJax in place for 6 months or more, how often do you remove the posts? I'm seeing a lot of people here that are basically making the MaxJax into a low ceiling permanent 2 post lift.

I have not mounted my power unit or changed the line, but I admit it would be nice to get them out of the way.

I wonder am I lazy? I'm just unhooking one line and swinging the power unit around to the other side of the garage out of the way. I leave the post right in between the two bays as these cars don't get driven daily.

What is everyone doing, especially given one of the selling points was the use it/store it idea.
 

Joe From NY

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Joined
Feb 25, 2010
Messages
527
Location
NY
True, that made it harder to bleed the system. blah blah...

Man, that is some precise effort you went to. That is what i call a perfectionist's job. When i put my thirty foot replacement hose on mine, i just ran the open end back into the reservoir and primed away until no bubbles. i was spilling fluid all over and i didn't want to mess my camera, hence no photos. Good luck, your install looks great. After looking at your bike attachment, i have an inspiration to weld up my own now.
 
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