One question before I pull the trigger on Max Jack

[2CRUZ]

Hey fellas I think I'm going to pull the trigger on a Max Jack. It's the only solution I can come up with. My ceilings are 112 in. tall. I'm buying it to lift my 57 Chevy. I like the idea of it being portable but the idea of tightening and loosening the base bolts scares me also I was wondering if it will pick up my 2003 Silverado Z71? Are there any down sides to the Max Jack. Can I use it for both my 57 Chevy and my pick up truck?
Thanks guys for your advice.

 

[tcianci]

read the manual, you don't need advice, you need facts.

 

[cookiemech]

So long as your pickup is less than 6000 pounds curb weight (including gas and any stuff you didn't remove before lifting it), that won't be a problem.

Assuming that the anchors are properly installed, you should not have a problem removing and reinstalling them. Note that the ones I used were the epoxy anchors; I am not familiar with the other ones (which come standard with the MaxJax). The portability feature was important to me when I bought the unit; however, I have never removed either post since, and do not plan to do so. I carefully chose the locations of the posts to be least intrusive for all of my garage uses; one is near the side of the garage, so it does not create any obstruction. The other is nearer the center of the garage, so I sometimes need to maneuver a motorcycle or garden tractor around it, but it isn't enough of a problem to bother moving the post.

The only other issue I can see for you is post spacing. Pickups are tough, because they are wide, but their frames (where you will likely pick up the vehicle) are relatively narrow. I recommend taking careful measurements on both the pickup and the '57. Possibly you will want a third set of anchors in the floor.

 

[Mr onetwo]

It will pick up both no problem.Do tons of reading here and measuring.Pay for the epoxy anchors. I would get the new model with the safety lock system.

 

[2CRUZ]

So long as your pickup is less than 6000 pounds curb weight (including gas and any stuff you didn't remove before lifting it), that won't be a problem.

Assuming that the anchors are properly installed, you should not have a problem removing and reinstalling them. Note that the ones I used were the epoxy anchors; I am not familiar with the other ones (which come standard with the MaxJax). The portability feature was important to me when I bought the unit; however, I have never removed either post since, and do not plan to do so. I carefully chose the locations of the posts to be least intrusive for all of my garage uses; one is near the side of the garage, so it does not create any obstruction. The other is nearer the center of the garage, so I sometimes need to maneuver a motorcycle or garden tractor around it, but it isn't enough of a problem to bother moving the post.



The only other issue I can see for you is post spacing. Pickups are tough, because they are wide, but their frames (where you will likely pick up the vehicle) are relatively narrow. I recommend taking careful measurements on both the pickup and the '57. Possibly you will want a third set of anchors in the floor.

Cook What do you mean by a third set of anchors?

 

[readhead]

So you can move one of the posts for the different widths if necessary.

 

[lucky3]

I had one but got rid of it for a atlas bp8000 baseplate lift. So much happier. Lifts stuff much easier and cheaper. My ceiling is only 9.5ft tall. I thought it would be nice to have a portable lift, but once it was in its spot I never moved it. In less u intend to move it around, go with a baseplate lift, u will be much happier. The MaxJax struggled with my avalanche which is 5700lbs.

 

[lucky3]

Plus the baseplate lift has locks ever few inches. I didn't like having only two lock spots on the max Jax. If u have any questions about the max Jax, send me a email I had mine for almost 5yrs.

 

[Z2V]

X3 for the baseplate. I started with a MaxJax and traded it for Danmar D-9. I could never get the MaxJax to pick the car up level. The Danmar worked great. Recently sold it and replaced with BendPak HD-9
I feel you would be happier in long run with a real lift especially with the size of autos you will be lifting. I was just lifting a corvette and it wouldn't pick level.
Either way, you will enjoy having a lift��
Just my 2 cents

 

[2CRUZ]

I had one but got rid of it for a atlas bp8000 baseplate lift. So much happier. Lifts stuff much easier and cheaper. My ceiling is only 9.5ft tall. I thought it would be nice to have a portable lift, but once it was in its spot I never moved it. In less u intend to move it around, go with a baseplate lift, u will be much happier. The MaxJax struggled with my avalanche which is 5700lbs.

Hey Lucky are you happy with the bp8000? Are you able to get underneath and work on your car? The way I have it figured there is 52 in. from the top of my 57 Chevy to the ceiling and aprox. 8 in. from the floor to the bottom. I called the guy at Greg smith he said I need a least two inches in order to unlock the lift to let it down. Do you sit on a stool to work on your car. Would you have a picture of how much room you have under your car? I sure would like to see it. I think I like the bp 8000 better nhan the Max Jack.

 

[lucky3]

Love my bp8000. My chevelle I can sit on stool and work. It goes higher the with the max Jax. The avalanche is taller so I just sit on my creeper and roll under it

 

[Falcon67]

I considered a Max. As above, went with a base plate and very happy. Cheaper and more versatile. This is mine and my ceiling is 96". If my ceiling was 112" like your's I'd have a lot less mods to do. My posts are only 111", so there you go.

$1727 picked up with my trailer at the warehouse.

 

[lucky3]

2cruz I would go with the Derrick Weaver one, it the same as the bp8000 , but it's a 9000lb lift. Right now u can get it for $1750 shipped, same price as the Atlas bp8000. I would of went with the 9000lb one last yr but they wanted a additional$250for shipping. It's the one falcon67 just posted. U will be happier with either of those over the max max.

 

[Falcon67]

Also FWIW - that part of my shop is 28 wide x 24 deep. The lift is 24" off the wall and 136" wide. I can back the other door car (the Falcon) in through the 16' overhead and clear the post easy. So having a big post in the middle is not turning out to be much of an issue. The dragster has a 235" wheel base and by playing musical chairs with the other "stuff" like the mower and such, I can swing it around and out the door.

And a warning about owning a lift - if you have a lot of ongoing "projects" pretty soon you'll discover extra floor space.

 

[2CRUZ]

Let me ask you guys one more question. I was looking at the bp8000 and it says it can be used with a ceiling height as low as 9"3'. That is exactly what I have 112" or 9'3.333". Is there going to be any problem with raising up the posts and not hitting the ceiling? You Guys have convinced me. I think I'll go with the Atlas bp8000. I'll post some pictures when I get it put up.
Thanks guys

 

[lakeroadster]

So long as your pickup is less than 6000 pounds curb weight.

The MaxJax struggled with my avalanche which is 5700lbs.

6000 lb capacity is not based on curb weight. It is 3000 lbs for the front arms and 3000 for the rear. If your Avalanche is 5700 lbs, you may have overloaded the lift.

 

[Falcon67]

With only 1" clearance, at some point the tilted post will be longer than the mean height and will contact the ceiling. In my case I made some large holes because I had to clear 15 extra inches. With yours that close you may be able to make a modification in one area enough to stand up a post, then walk the posts one at a time to their final spots. If the floor is clean and fairly smooth the posts will scoot easily.

Remember mine is only 8', so some decently long opening was required.

 

[cookiemech]

6000 lb capacity is not based on curb weight. It is 3000 lbs for the front arms and 3000 for the rear. If your Avalanche is 5700 lbs, you may have overloaded the lift.

Absolutely. You are correct!

 

[lucky3]

Cut out ceiling a little.

 

[lucky3]

For same price go with the 9000lb Derek weaver lift, it also comes with the truck pad adapters that I paid extra for. If u have any questions pm me I can send u my phone number.

 

[lakeroadster]

Falcon67,

Awesome coupe. Do you have an emergency shut off in case the momentary switch fails engaged? I'd hate to see that Mustang crunched.. or trusses busted.. or both.

 

[JRC3]

Let me ask you guys one more question. I was looking at the bp8000 and it says it can be used with a ceiling height as low as 9"3'. That is exactly what I have 112" or 9'3.333". Is there going to be any problem with raising up the posts and not hitting the ceiling? You Guys have convinced me. I think I'll go with the Atlas bp8000. I'll post some pictures when I get it put up.
Thanks guys

Do you have an attic access? Stand it up there and scoot it over.

Agreed, I'd just cut the drywall a foot or so from the permanent post locations and scoot them into place and then patch the hole. I also bet you floor varies in height so you may have to cut the drywall anyways at the permanent location.

 

[Falcon67]

Falcon67,

Awesome coupe. Do you have an emergency shut off in case the momentary switch fails engaged? I'd hate to see that Mustang crunched.. or trusses busted.. or both.

I put a handy outlet on the control post and included a DPST 2 HP rated switch in the line to the power unit. Stays off when not in use.

The joists are 2x12s on 24" centers, it'd likely crush the car before busting those timbers LOL.

 

[lucky3]

Here's a pick with my chevelle on max Jax with 6" extentions. Hard to tell but it car can go 6" higher now with new lift.

 

[lucky3]

Just wondering if u ordered a lift.