Questions for MaxJax owners/users

[olytdi]

Hello all,

First post here (have been lurking) on this wonderful site. Have been contemplating a lift and have been somewhat intrigued by the Maxjax.

The main question that I have for those of you who own/use one is whether or not you would have made the same choice/purchase if you had higher ceiling height in your shop/garage?

I have about 11' 9" from floor to truss with a similarly high door opening. So I think I could fit a larger two post lift inside...but should I? It seems to me that one of the biggest benefits of the MJ lift is the fact that you can unbolt it and move it when you've got a project for which the added real estate is needed.

So I guess the question boils-down to added lift height vs. portability. Do you think that a bigger lift with higher capability would win out over small and portable if ceiling height wasn't an issue?

Secondarily, does anyone know of a lift solution between a full-sized two post and the MJ?

Thanks all -- great reading on the post threads!

 

[Spam16v]

I feel having worked under standard two post lifts, that the MJ would be like having blue balls on your prom night.... almost, but not quite enough.

 

[Todd.Brock]

Or bust a nut on something that gets your car up in the air. It all matters what you are after. MJ is a height compromise, I had a full sized 12ft tall Nussbaum that I sold when I left my rental garage. The MJ allows me to still get it up at home in my 2car garage.

 

[olytdi]

Thanks for the replies.

So if you had the head room, would you be satisfied with the MJ or go back to a dedicated (perminent) full-sized lift?

 

[Todd.Brock]

If I had the Head room sure, BUT I only have a 2 car garage so floor space is a premium, so a portable solution with some compromises like lifting height. Was better than a set of jack stands.

 

[brownbagg]

what you need is a four post

 

[olytdi]

So after I started this post, I went out and measured again. 11' 4" to trusses. With lighting fixtures where they are (yeah, they could be moved) my tallest vehicle (old school Trooper) would hit them at 5 ft of lift. So I really couldn't stand under my cars comfortably anyway. As such, I'm figuring that if using the MJ doesn't lift it as high but provides ample room to scoot around on a roller seat or crawler, then WTF.

Perhaps I've answered my own question. The MJ is an intreaging little unit.

 

[Spam16v]

So after I started this post, I went out and measured again. 11' 4" to trusses. With lighting fixtures where they are (yeah, they could be moved) my tallest vehicle (old school Trooper) would hit them at 5 ft of lift. So I really couldn't stand under my cars comfortably anyway. As such, I'm figuring that if using the MJ doesn't lift it as high but provides ample room to scoot around on a roller seat or crawler, then WTF.

Perhaps I've answered my own question. The MJ is an intreaging little unit.

In that case, if you can't lift what you need to lift high enough due to height limitations, an MJ would be suitable. IF you had 13' and got a MJ to lift your sports car, I'd call you an R-tard.

 

[richashley]

I think your analysis is pretty good. The height is a compromise, but it's a lot better than jack stands ... and the ability to unbolt the pillar and open up the garage (I have a 24x26) can be invaluable. IF I had a three car garage and enough height, I'd put a full size lift in the middle. But with a two car, I'm glad I went with the MJ.

 

[olytdi]

Roger that -- I share those sentiments. My space is only 28 X 28 so yes, if you've got a project going on, having a dedicated 2 post beast permenently installed might be a problem.

Spam -- I am anyway!

 

[Jvvmusme]

I have a MJ for work on my own cars. All small euroean cars. A friend of mine has a normal 2pst tall lift at his house. He has no space and height restrictions. I have both restrictions. I went yerterday to his place to help him on his 1970 911S. Today I worked on the MJ in my Austin Healey. I can compare. MJ biggest asset is portability. The 120 cms that the MJ lifts the cars is more than enough to do all kinds of work. I can perfectly scroll under the car in the roller seat and do the same things if I was standing in the normall rotary 2 pst lift. MJ wins. Portability = MJ beats the **** on all lifts. Space restrictions= MJ wins. Besides I made 2 installations for my MJ. One inside the garage, one in the driveway in front of the garage. If its sunny and warm I work outside, if it rains I work inside.
I would buy a MJ even if I had no space and height restrictions. Unless I had a huge pick up or a 1954 Cadillac El Dorado. Fortunetly I do not have either.
The MJ is the best choice and by far it has been the best thing I have bought for my garage.

 

[olytdi]

Jvvmusme -- awesome info. Just what I was looking for! Thanks!

 

[Chetter]

Well, I ordered my MJ lift yesterday throught Northern Tool and since I got a 100 Gift card to boot, I will buy the wall mounted fan that they sell for 99.00 so I can move some air around the garage during the summer months. I have been reading all the threads about this lift since it came out, but I couldn't purchase one at the time due to the economy and uncertainty. But I figured now is the time and though I spent a few hundred dollars more now versus a few years ago, I am really looking forward to having this to work on my cars and truck. I will put in additional anchors in my garage so I can use it in the area where my wife and I park our everyday vehicles. I too, like the idea of being able to get it out my way when not in use. A permanent lift just wasn't an option for me. Also, my wife gave me money enough for Christmas and my birthday to go tom Home Depot and buy me a new 60 Gal vertical air compressor which I will put in the winter as well. Next summer will be new floor time using VCT in black and white checker board pattern where I park my Camaro.