MaxJax Transport, Install, Impression, and Comparison

[Mike007]

And nicely done! Did you have to buy another hose? If so where?

Thanks. I picked the hose up locally for around $70. Can't remember the name of the place off hand.

 

[dmeadow]

If I get down your way, I'll definitely want to see your install. Thanx for those links.

I do have a few questions:

1) Should I just buy Epoxy set bolts from the Get-Go?

I would. It sure would have saved me a lot of grief, time and money if I had. I see that the Dannmar folks now provide a kit with epoxy anchors and epoxy for about $110. That's a good price and well worth it, IMHO.

Here is the link for the anchors. These things cost $18 apiece plus the epoxy if you try to buy them through Grainger, etc.

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=107246&p=irol-EventDetails&EventId=4139426

 

[Dolfan]

I would. It sure would have saved me a lot of grief, time and money if I had. I see that the Dannmar folks now provide a kit with epoxy anchors and epoxy for about $110. That's a good price and well worth it, IMHO.

Here is the link for the anchors. These things cost $18 apiece plus the epoxy if you try to buy them through Grainger, etc.

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=107246&p=irol-EventDetails&EventId=4139426

As I did this comparison between the MaxJax and the mid-rise lift I talked many times with Gabe from Dannmar. One of the things that I gave as feedback was offering that set of epoxy and anchors as a optional order item, I even thought including the proper drill bit would be a great package for the DIY installer. Didn't know they had started to offer this. Good to know.

 

[veedubman91]

Nice work and great write ups. I have a question about your atlas lift? Can fold the arms in so they do not stick out past the lift? Or do they only slide up and back? Thanks for your time

 

[GTOGreg]

Another happy MaxJax user. I've had it put together for a couple of months but just got around to drilling the holes and leveling it this week in all my spare time. Don't know how i got along with out this thing, I'm pretty excited about the possibilities...the RS-600 trans swap coming in another month or so, the headers, mids, exhaust on the Challenger, getting caught up on oil changes, nitrous install on the Challenger...etc, etc... . This is by far the best investment I've made in the garage. Dolfan, the thread helped a lot (an honorable mention to Regguy as well for some excellent suggestions). The only thing I would emphasize is check your width measurements against your fleet...I ended up with 121" and it is perfect for my '67 GTO, '09 Challenger, '11 Grand Cherk, '01 740iL, and '92 Accord. Yes I have to be a bit careful with the doors, but if it were any wider, especially with the Goat, I'd be in trouble with the arm length across the width. I say this in case people take your Vette measurements at face value without doing their own due diligence. Every use case is different (and I know you emphasized this as well). Also, with regard to lifting implements, I found that hockey pucks are wonderful for lowered cars where even a 2X4 won't work! Get them at your local ice rink for $1 or $2/ea. Grab four more while you're there so you can mount your compressor as well . So them's my two cents. Pictures to follow when I have some time.

Oh, BTW, having an electrician buddy come hook up a dedicated 220V connection tomorrow, will let the board know what kind of improvements I find (my hopes are minimal, but I need a dedicated connection anyway, so figured it might as well be 220V while I'm at it, it will eventually share double duty with a welder so a worthwhile investment now).

 

[regguy1]

Thanks for the "honorable mention"

Here's an in use video of the MaxJax with todays repair job:

 

[Dolfan]

Dolfan, the thread helped a lot

Thanks for the shout out! I put a lot into the thread as I know how I went back and forth trying to make a decision on lifts.

I know it has helped folks from the comments and that's what it was for!

 

[North of 40]

I am in the middle of installing my new MaxJax lift and of course drilling the first hole, I hit Rebar in the concrete floor

So I go to the other post and start drilling with same 1/2" bit as a pilot, followed by the 7/8" bit and drills like going though Butter. No problem.

What do I use to cut through the Rebar in the floor?
I asked the Tool rental place and they didn't have a 7/8" Rebar cutter and no one around has one.

I looked at Amazon.com and found a Bosch RC2144 7/8-Inch by 12-Inch SDS Plus Rebar Cutter $43.00 will this work in the Hilti Hammer drill or do you use a regular drill or a line bore set up as suggested by the rental shop?
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=7/8"+Rebar+cutter+bit


There is also a Champion Proline CM95X-7/8x16x18 SDS Plus Concrete/Rebar Rotary Hammer Drill Cross Head Solid Tip, 7/8-Inch by 16-Inch by 18-Inch
for $48.00 (Half way down the same page on the above link)

Also, when drilling throught he rebar is cooling with water while drilling recommended?

Of course this is another job where you by a tool and only need it for one job and then it sits in the back of the Tool box for years

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[UPSHIFT]

I am in the middle of installing my new MaxJax lift and of course drilling the first hole, I hit Rebar in the concrete floor

So I go to the other post and start drilling with same 1/2" bit as a pilot, followed by the 7/8" bit and drills like going though Butter. No problem.

What do I use to cut through the Rebar in the floor?
I asked the Tool rental place and they didn't have a 7/8" Rebar cutter and no one around has one.

I looked at Amazon.com and found a Bosch RC2144 7/8-Inch by 12-Inch SDS Plus Rebar Cutter $43.00 will this work in the Hilti Hammer drill or do you use a regular drill or a line bore set up as suggested by the rental shop?
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=7/8"+Rebar+cutter+bit


There is also a Champion Proline CM95X-7/8x16x18 SDS Plus Concrete/Rebar Rotary Hammer Drill Cross Head Solid Tip, 7/8-Inch by 16-Inch by 18-Inch
for $48.00 (Half way down the same page on the above link)

Also, when drilling throught he rebar is cooling with water while drilling recommended?

Of course this is another job where you by a tool and only need it for one job and then it sits in the back of the Tool box for years

Any help would be appreciated.

North of 40,

Please see the link below, most concrete bits will bore through the re-bar. Just be sure not to wallow out the hole so it will accept the 7/8" anchor.. Good Luck !! Please call me if you have any immediate needs.

http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=QmxFTtXKEeHliALvvOj7AQ&ved=0CGAQ8wIwAg#


Thanks as Always,
Gabe
Dannmar
877-432-6627 X126

 

[petee_c]

Gabe,

Please ask them to include 2 sacrificial bolts for the anchors with each maxjax. I think on the Wejjit (sp?) site they say they usually include one bolt per box of 5 anchors.

The threads on the sacrificial bolt were pretty stretched after the 1st post install..... I had to oil and put the bolt in my bench vise so I could reset the position of the nut for the subsequent anchor installs.

This was in 6 week old 4000psi concrete.

P

 

[Dolfan]

Question on length of time on the lift. Of course two post lifts are not recommended for storage , but for servicing cars.

I'm curious the most time you leave a car up on the lift? Of course if it is lifted properly at the right positions the car will be secure, but just curious how long folks have done this?

I'm not planning to try to store anything under the car if that is what your thinking!

 

[Denee007]

Wow! long time!! how's everyone!??; )
I have my '59 apache up on the middle notch and it had been there for about a week until I got two more tall jack stands, now I have 4, then set my truck down the the stands so I could remove the passenger side column to get inside the truck; it's been this way for about a month. Even when I did have it up on the lift, I had two jackstands front and rear to steady the truck.
; )
dne'

Question on length of time on the lift. Of course two post lifts are not recommended for storage , but for servicing cars.

I'm curious the most time you leave a car up on the lift? Of course if it is lifted properly at the right positions the car will be secure, but just curious how long folks have done this?

I'm not planning to try to store anything under the car if that is what your thinking!

 

[les_garten]

Wow! long time!! how's everyone!??; )
I have my '59 apache up on the middle notch and it had been there for about a week until I got two more tall jack stands, now I have 4, then set my truck down the the stands so I could remove the passenger side column to get inside the truck; it's been this way for about a month. Even when I did have it up on the lift, I had two jackstands front and rear to steady the truck.
; )
dne'

Nice truck.

How high are your ceilings?

Can you describe how you drilled the extra holes to make sure they were lined up?

 

[Denee007]

Hi, I've only a sec to write, but my ceiling is an inch from being 8', now I'm not quite sure what you mean by the extra holes? I just have the holes that were drilled for the max jax and no more. The max jax where you see it in the photo is just unbolted from the ground and moved away from the truck. The only thing holding the truck up is 4 tall 2ton each jackstands. Hope this helps, I'll be back in while ; )
dne'

Nice truck.

How high are your ceilings?

Can you describe how you drilled the extra holes to make sure they were lined up?

 

[Dolfan]

Thanks, Denee

The truck looks great, I'd like an old truck project but other cars have priority right now. Good to know how you were securing the truck at the front and back while on the lift for some time, I was thinking the exact same thing. I may add a few of the tall jack stands to my garage soon.


About the question about additional holes on the MaxJax, it make sense why everyone would like them but I believe someone has checked with the engineering team at Dannmar and it was not recommended for owner to drill holes. Now what I have done on occasion to have more flexibility is I have used jack stands under the 4 arms at the desired height that I wanted for a project, sometimes even the first stop is higher than I want for brake work.

 

[petee_c]

looking at the maxjax design, I wonder about using timber in the post as a spot to rest the arms on if you didn't want it super high.....

Extra hoses.

Just FYI. The standard 3/8" NPT female ends will fit on the suppled 3/8"NPTF (F for Fuel) male hose ends. I just attached 19' more hose to the fitting. I used one wrap only of teflon tape, connection appears to be leakproof.

Next, need to mount the pump on the wall.

P

 

[les_garten]

Thanks, Denee

The truck looks great, I'd like an old truck project but other cars have priority right now. Good to know how you were securing the truck at the front and back while on the lift for some time, I was thinking the exact same thing. I may add a few of the tall jack stands to my garage soon.


About the question about additional holes on the MaxJax, it make sense why everyone would like them but I believe someone has checked with the engineering team at Dannmar and it was not recommended for owner to drill holes. Now what I have done on occasion to have more flexibility is I have used jack stands under the 4 arms at the desired height that I wanted for a project, sometimes even the first stop is higher than I want for brake work.

I didn't talk to the Engineering people at Dannmar, but the Sales team said I could drill plenty of holes!

 

[Dolfan]

Les, I had not seen an update that anyone at Dannmar had given the go ahead that it was cool to drill the posts, if so then that will help a bunch of folks. I think I could get away with one additional set of holes between the top and middle holes, but I doubt that I'll do it.

That drilling would take some decent bits and drill I bet without it being on a drill press.

I'd like to see pics if anyone has done it? I think I'll stay "stock"!

 

[Denee007]

Hey, I heard of people drilling their columns for different levels. I was going to do that too, but just haven't gotten around to getting the correct hole saw, or whatever drillbit adequate for this application. Plus I'm a little worried about metal fillings getting down into the runs despite being careful.
dne'

 

[Jonahj11]

Hey all, I've spent a lot of time browsing this thread and wanted to say thanks for all the info. I spoke with Joe Vermillion at GESUSA and got a smokin' deal on my maxjax lift. $ 1839 delivered, including a danmar rolling chair and 8 gallon oil drain. A big thanks to Joe, was a pleasure to do business with. I am very excited to do the install in a week or so as I am still sealing the concrete on my garage floor. JJ

 

[regguy1]

Hey, I heard of people drilling their columns for different levels. I was going to do that too, but just haven't gotten around to getting the correct hole saw, or whatever drillbit adequate for this application. Plus I'm a little worried about metal fillings getting down into the runs despite being careful.
dne'

Dne'

Did you ever buy those GSE stands?

 

[regguy1]

Hey all, I've spent a lot of time browsing this thread and wanted to say thanks for all the info. I spoke with Joe Vermillion at GESUSA and got a smokin' deal on my maxjax lift. $ 1839 delivered, including a danmar rolling chair and 8 gallon oil drain. A big thanks to Joe, was a pleasure to do business with. I am very excited to do the install in a week or so as I am still sealing the concrete on my garage floor. JJ

Be sure to post some photos

 

[Denee007]

Congratulations!! now, some things you may want to consider to make your MJ experience more enjoyable! I would have posted photos, but my photobucket account seems to have froze up! however:
The hoses that come with the unit are just long enough to get the job done, but you can extend the hydraulic hoses almost as long as you would like! Northern Tools carries the hydraulic hoses already made up in a couple lengths. BUt I believe the various 90, 30 degree ends may have to be purchased at a hydraulic shop/store, then you'd need a coupler(splice) or two(also from NT). I also mounted my pump system on the wall which gets it off of the floor and out of my way. I don't know your circumstance, but these are some things to consider during your install. Use lots of teflon tape on your fittings!
You may want to post a few photos of your before and after~ it's always nice to see what you're up to.
May the force be with you! and good luck!
dne'

Hey all, I've spent a lot of time browsing this thread and wanted to say thanks for all the info. I spoke with Joe Vermillion at GESUSA and got a smokin' deal on my maxjax lift. $ 1839 delivered, including a danmar rolling chair and 8 gallon oil drain. A big thanks to Joe, was a pleasure to do business with. I am very excited to do the install in a week or so as I am still sealing the concrete on my garage floor. JJ

 

[les_garten]

When the hoses are disconnected, they don't leak or weep do they?

 

[Fuego]

The price goes up $200 after the end of this month. It is listed on most sites now for $1999 and some have the oil drain can and the creeper seat included at that price. I've been wanting one of these lifts since they came out so it's time for me to get off the dime and give Joe a call to see if I can get that very same deal. Thanks for posting the deal you got Jonahj11.

UPDATE: Got the same rockin' $1839 deal with the freebies from Joe at GESUSA. Thanks!

 

[petee_c]

:
The hoses that come with the unit are just long enough to get the job done, but you can extend the hydraulic hoses almost as long as you would like! Northern Tools carries the hydraulic hoses already made up in a couple lengths. BUt I believe the various 90, 30 degree ends may have to be purchased at a hydraulic shop/store, then you'd need a coupler(splice) or two(also from NT). I also mounted my pump system on the wall which gets it off of the floor and out of my way. I don't know your circumstance, but these are some things to consider during your install. Use lots of teflon tape on your fittings!
You may want to post a few photos of your before and after~ it's always nice to see what you're up to.
May the force be with you! and good luck!
dne'

DNE,

I would dispute the "lots of teflon" tape bit. I googled and read up alot on hydraulic fittings NPT, NPTF threads. When I extended my original hoses I did one fitting with close to 3 wraps of Teflon tape on the Maxjax NPTF (male) thread to screw into a NPT female swivel connector on the hose. Ended up stripping out the threads on the female connector. I do not know if the female threaded connector was faulty or not.

I had to get the end cut off and recrimped. I choose a NPT female rigid connector, meaning I would have to turn the whole hose when connecting the maxjax hose to the longer hose. I did one wrap of teflon tape. No leaks, maybe a bit of weeping (the teflon tape is now pink from the ATF).

My guess is the extra wraps of teflon tape may have cause the threads to fail (not enough squish room).

If you are making hose extensions, get female connector on one end, and the male connector on the other. Save you the price of one coupling.

My two 19' extensions came out to about $100cdn after taxes.

P

 

[Denee007]

Yes, I bought 4 of them! I have my '59 Apache up on those stands and unbolted my Maxjax and moved the column out of the way. Now the truck is just suspended by the jackstands.
As for the teflon tape, I had some problems with leaky connections, and had to redo a few. I guess I mean a really tight wrap of 2-3 wraps. The ATF makes the teflon tape slip! Shame that the pipe fitting can't do what they're designed to do!
I'll see if I can post photos on my other computer in a little while.
dne'

Dne'

Did you ever buy those GSE stands?

 

[Denee007]

It's kind of messy, but here's my garage, but I can assure y'all it's very organized right now. You can just make out a couple jack stands under the front of my truck. My pump is mounted on the wall in front of the truck and off to the right. My MJ is unbolted and out of the way so I can get into the truck to work on it. ; )

 

[Jonahj11]

Here's some mid-project pics. One side of the garage is for side work car repairs and the other will be equipment. Right now It's a mess, as it is storage for things that need to be sorted out. The Majax will be centered over the painted floor side.

<img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6175/6173667814_b7c5c5d031_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="garage floor 017">

<img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6174/6173668148_17d5866b7a_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="garage floor 018">

<img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6175/6173668798_28c4ae62dd_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="garage floor 019">

 

[Denee007]

omg that is going to look like a showroom!! Can't wait to see photos! ; )

 

[Dolfan]

I just wanted to post another use for the MaxJax. The first thing I think of now when I've got something heavy is I'll bet I can handle it with the MaxJax.

I have even thought how great it would be to have a flat strong, metal frame with the same size rod as those that go into the lift arm welded to the frame, then it would be even more secure and strong.

I just make the height equal to the truck bed and roll or scoot what ever I'm hauling onto this plywood panel.

Nice to not bust my back when I can press the button!

Anyone else doing something like this other than lifting a car or motorcycle?

 

[Denee007]

Gosh Dolfan, I hope to have my floor looking as good as yours someday! ; ). That's a good idea for loading/unloading your hoist !!
Dne'

This is a while back, but made working on moms lawn tractor much easier !!

 

[Jonahj11]

I know I'll be using mine for unloading transmissions from the truck bed. Dolfan you just reminded me..... I need a folding cherry picker.

 

[Dolfan]

Gosh Dolfan, I hope to have my floor looking as good as yours someday! ; ).

I recoated my floor since I've got a new garage toy on the way! It was 9 years with just a single coat of H&C stain, now it has two coats and feels much better, it will have to make another 9 years I think.

I like the garden tractor up on the MaxJax, gotta br a big help.

If I moved more big and heavy items I'd build a custom platform for the MaxJax for sure.

 

[Fuego]

Just a note on shipping. GESUSA got mine out to me in 4 days including the day I ordered it. I chose the shipping terminal option and glad I did. The 'package' was much larger and heavier than I expected - about 7' long and a hefty 880 lbs. It's bolted into a steel shipping frame and wouldn't fit in the back of Tundra CrewMax so I needed to borrow a trailer. Now I need to bribe a buddy with some cold beer to help me break it down and get it off of the trailer. Not a big deal but wanted others to be aware of the size & weight of the kit to be prepared.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[les_garten]

For those who brought theirs home in the back of a trailer...

Is there a way to orient the package that makes it easier to take apart, put the wheels on and take it off the trailer a piece at a time?

 

[abstamaria]

Les, I don't think orientation is critical. You should be able to unpack in any orientation. Once unpacked, all the items you can move in yourself, except the two posts, for which you will need at least one other person to help you. The two posts will come bolted to a common temporary frame, holding them together. Since we had a lot of guys during delivery, they simply moved the coupled posts off the truck. You can uncouple them on the trailer, so as to handle one post at a time (still at least a two-man job).

 

[Fuego]

For those who brought theirs home in the back of a trailer...

Is there a way to orient the package that makes it easier to take apart, put the wheels on and take it off the trailer a piece at a time?

I couldn't scare up any help this evening. So I mounted the wheels first then unbolted the base of the posts from the steel frame and lowered the posts to the trailer deck. Then I unbolted the top end of the posts and set them down. I then put moving pads topped with cardboard on the deck of the trailer with some hanging over the edge. The rest of the moving blanket was on the garage floor. My wife held the moving pads and cardboard in place while I rolled the posts over to the edge of the trailer and carefully over the edge. Then I let the posts slide down onto the pad/cardboard on the floor so I could roll them off onto the concrete floor.

The trailer ramps were of the type with steel angles welded between the rails - better suited for loading ATVs and were not suitable for rolling the posts to the ground. So I had to 'punt'. It wasn't ideal but for a one-man solution it worked well with no damage to the borrowed trailer or the posts.

 

[les_garten]

I couldn't scare up any help this evening. So I mounted the wheels first then unbolted the base of the posts from the steel frame and lowered the posts to the trailer deck. Then I unbolted the top end of the posts and set them down. I then put moving pads topped with cardboard on the deck of the trailer with some hanging over the edge. The rest of the moving blanket was on the garage floor. My wife held the moving pads and cardboard in place while I rolled the posts over to the edge of the trailer and carefully over the edge. Then I let the posts slide down onto the pad/cardboard on the floor so I could roll them off onto the concrete floor.

The trailer ramps were of the type with steel angles welded between the rails - better suited for loading ATVs and were not suitable for rolling the posts to the ground. So I had to 'punt'. It wasn't ideal but for a one-man solution it worked well with no damage to the borrowed trailer or the posts.

Thanx!

U-haul has a 5x9 and a 6x12 trailer. Think I can get by with the 5x9?

 

[TWX]

I really want one of these. Unfortunately two things complicate it, first being that I doubt it's safe to lift my '82 Dodge D350 crew cab with it, especially since I plan to do a diesel swap, and second, the air conditioning duct runs in a ridge down the center of the workshop laterally, taking away about eight inches of height that would be essential to this working right.

I suppose if the first thing I did was to use it to raise the ceiling height then we might be okay...