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WILDFIRE VS ADVANTAGE LIFTS
- Thread starter Pool Fixer
- Start date
joendoodle
Active member
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2017
- Messages
- 42
This is an older post, but for anyone out there pondering I thought I would add my experience.
Executive summary:
There is not a bad choice between Advantage and Wildfire Outside Slider designed 4 post lifts, a little research and you will find small inconsequential differences, so it is price, in stock and personal preference.
Longer story (my experience)
When I shopped I compared many lifts, some I saw I would NEVER walk under... (bought in 2019) I eventually became sold on the outside slider design instead of the C Channel. There were significant differences in C Channel design quality
At the time the Advantage DX11000 was about $500 more than either XLT models, in hindsight $500 extra would have been a bargain, and even though my F150 fits on the XLT.. it just fits.
My assessment:
Backyard buddy doesn't have holes drilled in the baseplates, Advantage and Wildfire do
I eliminated the BYB because of this feature (lack of holes feature) my assessment is that BYB makes it clear you don't need to bolt it down. But I felt if I did decide to someday anchor it, having those holes would make it possible. I have friend with a BYB, it is smaller, but a good lift, it works good for her, she has much less headroom than I do.
Now to decide between Advantage SS9000XLT (current model is upgraded and named DX9000XLT) and WildfireXLT
almost identical except color scheme and WF had (at that time) steel ramps ADV had aluminum. The weight difference for this old guy entering his 60's leaned me towards ADV.
working with sales folks.
ADV rep turned me on to a local customer that had an Advantage lift, I ck'd it out. He had more than 1 4 post lift (C channels and the 1 O/S slider) He 100% sold me on the O/S slider design. He even commented if he is working on a car the O/S slider is the one he will go under, the others (C Channel) he only uses for storage.
ADV rep gave me their recent "show" discount, that put the price a few $$ < Wildfires
ADV allowed me to pick it up at a more convenient (to me) location than did Wildfire (Minnesota).
Over 6 years and NO COMPLAINTS, no warranty issues
I installed mine in my upstate NY pole barn, had it there for 5 years, then 1 1/2 years ago I moved it to my Michigan pole barn (sold the NY PB)
Clarification / practice.. (I read that someone stated you cannot adjust the 4 cables independently) These O/S slider design lifts, all 4 cables are adjusted independently.. This is VERY necessary as the 4 cables are 4 different lengths, which means over time they "stretch" differently. I've had mine over 6 years, and I conscientiously adjust them every few months to ensure all 4 fire at the exact same time.. Being slightly off is no big deal, but it isn't a difficult adjustment and I really like the "SMACK" when they all fire at the same time.
What is different between these today (DEC 2025)
The rolling jack I bought costs 2.5X what is was then
The lifts cost 2X what they were then
If I was to get another one, it would likely be a choice between ADVANTAGES DX11000 and the WILDFIRE TRUCK lift (12000# rating)
ADV (now) has "neat" automatic tire stops at the ends of the tracks ADV has free shipping WF has a lower price
They both now have gusseted aluminum ramps.
The Wildfire measures bigger all around (longer ramps etc) rated 12000 vice 11000#'s and since I have room for it I would go the WF route for my 2nd lift. (or should I get more cars first?)
.
Executive summary:
There is not a bad choice between Advantage and Wildfire Outside Slider designed 4 post lifts, a little research and you will find small inconsequential differences, so it is price, in stock and personal preference.
Longer story (my experience)
When I shopped I compared many lifts, some I saw I would NEVER walk under... (bought in 2019) I eventually became sold on the outside slider design instead of the C Channel. There were significant differences in C Channel design quality
At the time the Advantage DX11000 was about $500 more than either XLT models, in hindsight $500 extra would have been a bargain, and even though my F150 fits on the XLT.. it just fits.
My assessment:
Backyard buddy doesn't have holes drilled in the baseplates, Advantage and Wildfire do
I eliminated the BYB because of this feature (lack of holes feature) my assessment is that BYB makes it clear you don't need to bolt it down. But I felt if I did decide to someday anchor it, having those holes would make it possible. I have friend with a BYB, it is smaller, but a good lift, it works good for her, she has much less headroom than I do.
Now to decide between Advantage SS9000XLT (current model is upgraded and named DX9000XLT) and WildfireXLT
almost identical except color scheme and WF had (at that time) steel ramps ADV had aluminum. The weight difference for this old guy entering his 60's leaned me towards ADV.
working with sales folks.
ADV rep turned me on to a local customer that had an Advantage lift, I ck'd it out. He had more than 1 4 post lift (C channels and the 1 O/S slider) He 100% sold me on the O/S slider design. He even commented if he is working on a car the O/S slider is the one he will go under, the others (C Channel) he only uses for storage.
ADV rep gave me their recent "show" discount, that put the price a few $$ < Wildfires
ADV allowed me to pick it up at a more convenient (to me) location than did Wildfire (Minnesota).
Over 6 years and NO COMPLAINTS, no warranty issues
I installed mine in my upstate NY pole barn, had it there for 5 years, then 1 1/2 years ago I moved it to my Michigan pole barn (sold the NY PB)
Clarification / practice.. (I read that someone stated you cannot adjust the 4 cables independently) These O/S slider design lifts, all 4 cables are adjusted independently.. This is VERY necessary as the 4 cables are 4 different lengths, which means over time they "stretch" differently. I've had mine over 6 years, and I conscientiously adjust them every few months to ensure all 4 fire at the exact same time.. Being slightly off is no big deal, but it isn't a difficult adjustment and I really like the "SMACK" when they all fire at the same time.
What is different between these today (DEC 2025)
The rolling jack I bought costs 2.5X what is was then
The lifts cost 2X what they were then
If I was to get another one, it would likely be a choice between ADVANTAGES DX11000 and the WILDFIRE TRUCK lift (12000# rating)
ADV (now) has "neat" automatic tire stops at the ends of the tracks ADV has free shipping WF has a lower price
They both now have gusseted aluminum ramps.
The Wildfire measures bigger all around (longer ramps etc) rated 12000 vice 11000#'s and since I have room for it I would go the WF route for my 2nd lift. (or should I get more cars first?)
.
Last edited:
kngelv
Well-known member
Newer Backyard Buddy's have holes drilled in the baseplate.
James
James
Burl
Well-known member
I have an Advantage 9000XLT that is 11 years old, and have mixed feelings. I purchased the air jack, which was expensive, but is well worth the money. I have replaced the ram on the jack, part supplied by Advantage (but not an easy fix), and now the jack is spitting oil out the air valve, The lift started to fray the longest cables a couple years ago, not bad but noticeable. I talked to the company, which is now owned by someone other than the guys I bought it from, and they told me this can be normal for a lift of my age, and not to worry about it as a safety factor is incorporated into the cables. They also said that they sell new cables if I wanted to go that way (also the leaking jack pump). I've never had a vehicle heavier than my Silverado on this lift, which weighs about 5K, and have always kept the lift clean and well lubricated.
kngelv
Well-known member
I have a Backyard Buddy which is now owned by Advantage and I just bought the rolling air jack about six months ago. Works great but is not cheap. I have only owned the lift for just under two years but have been religious about lubing the rollers and cables. Hopefully my cables won't fray anytime soon. My lift was assembled here in the States with USA and Canadian steel but I'm sure the cables and rollers are the same as on the Advantage so likely Chinese. They have the same pumps too.
James
James