Old Two Post Lift Finally Installed

[DaveInHouston]

I bought two thirty year old VBM/Challenger two-post lifts from a mechanic shop a few weeks ago and finally got one installed and working in my shop. I paid $1200 for the pair because he wouldn’t separate them, sold one for $550, and kept the one. I was concerned about the old lift pump but it works fine. I ran new hydraulic lines and repainted the entire lift. The hydraulic rams work great and no leaks so far. These lists were made in Kentucky and are much heavier than the modern day Chinese made two post lifts. I’ve wanted a lift for decades and finally have one!

 

[firebirdparts]

Cool! Watch you don't hit that crossbar with anything tall.

 

[DaveInHouston]

I haven’t reinstalled the limit device yet but will this weekend. It’s taller than it looks and has plenty of room to raise my old 56 F-100 and have room for my 5’ 9” self to stand up under it. But good point and thanks!

 

[DelayedZ]

Looks brand new, nice nice work!

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[DaveInHouston]

Thanks. Lots and lots of sanding with an angle grinder and sanding discs. Sprayed Rustoleum rusty metal primer then a few coats of Allis Chalmers orange. Not quite a real restoration but much better than it was. It had two or three coats of various colors the previous owner had sprayed it over the years. Was pretty nasty looking. Never really thought about restoring an old lift but here I am. I am pleased to have less than $1,000 in it. And probably 40 hours of my labor. I got lucky on the pump and the rams.

 

[DaveInHouston]

Last step finished. Got the limit switch safety device installed and checked out. Ready to put it to work.

 

[MWMWMW]

Looks awesome! Nice garage!

 

[xjfish]

Really nice work. I have spent many hours working off one of those old Challengers, very well made high quality lift! Bulletproof I would say. Well done.

 

[DaveInHouston]

Thanks. Lots of work left to do but I’ll get there. Slowly.

 

[bobj49f2]

I bought an older Manitowoc lift from a private owner. It's build like a tank with 1/2" steel construction. It was in very good condition and came with a Black Hawk transmission stand, two rolling oil cans and a screw jack. To me the screw jack is imperative to use the lift to stabilize the vehicle on the lift.

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[DaveInHouston]

Very nice. I know Manitowoc makes some very nice cranes. I used to operate them many years ago.

 

[DaveInHouston]

It works! I wasn’t really sure until I put the old Chevy on the lift. Was a bit scary first time but no issues. Now I can do some real work on a couple of old projects. No more crawling around on a creeper!

 

[DaveInHouston]

I should have bought one of these decades ago! What a difference. I put the old C10 up to work the brakes and found a leaking brake line I didn’t know about. Found a couple of body support braces that are rusty and need replaced. Headers are rubbing against the transmission cooling lines. The visibility, under the vehicle, standing up is amazing. I suppose it doesn’t take much to impress me but, I’m impressed.