Working under your lift - stand or sit?

[Joemctag]

Agree with kaizen. Working on your back is actually a really good position . Plus, you’ve got all your tools and parts right there in trays or on cardboard sheets or whatever . Drawbacks are a little more exertion required to get out from under, stand up, do something and get back under. Also, more to raising the vehicle all four corners and jack stands. Just ramps, no trouble at all. Don’t think I’d get just a “mid-rise” lift.
Now, if you could make a creeper with a nice angled seat with good head and neck support, where both the back and seat are angled and you’re wedged in a here with your feet on the floor, yeah I can see that as a really “ergonomic” way to go.
If you get the lift, let us know how it’s working for you. Lots of us in the same situation and can’t have a full-rise lift.

 

[ebamba]

My ceiling is only 8.5 ft so I didn't have too many choices for lifts. The MaxJax lifts 48" and with most cars, I can do that and not touch the ceiling. It's still far better than crawling under a car on jack stands or ramps. I made up this roll around frame for an old bucket seat (patterned after a fancy version I saw at an aircraft manufacturer). It works great although there are times I wish I had remote wheel locks.

Aren't those Recaros hard to come by these days? I always lusted over those seats when I first saw them back in late 70's.

Okay, disregard. Just did a search and they still sell them, although not inexpensive.

 

[3pedal]

I have been using a KwikLift for about 7 years or so. It is basically a supersized set of ramps. It gets the car up maybe 2 feet or so. After you drive on, you use a floor jack to lift the low side up and lock it in place. I am going to replace it with a 4 post shortly, as I do have the room, but it has been a great tool. Before I had it, it was all floor jacks and jack stands. With this, I can easily use the creeper, and sometimes sit on the floor under the car. I think you will find that a lift, even if you can not walk under it, will still be a major improvement. With the 4 post you are thinking of, you can pick your level, so if you want to work on a transmission laying on a creeper, just lower it down.

That said, if you can make a hole in the ceiling to get more lift, go for it.

 

[joey1320]

I have a scissor lift and short ceilings in my garage and sit on a creeper or rolling chair. I have removed engines and transaxles and although nowhere near as easy as with the teo posts at work, it's a lot easier than on jackstands.

 

[jawnd393]

My garage ceiling is about 10' 10". I have a 4 post lift. I can raise a mid-sized car like my 05 Chevy Malibu up enough to stand under it. I have a rolling stool for work under my Chrysler minivan or my Trailblazer.

 

[Negen]

I am sure there are guys here who you tell you what tools you need and how to go about raising your roof. Sounds like you need 8-10 feet more height

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Super Mech]

I work on some high top vans and can’t get them high enough to stand under. I use a rolling stool for most stuff underneath. I always feel uncomfortable on it. If something ever went wrong and the truck shifted off the lift I fell like I cannot get out from under it quick enough.
When standing I could always dive off to the side. It’s never happened but when you have 7-8,000 lbs above you you think of these things.

 

[javyLSU]

I picked up this rolling low profile seat at Home Depot earlier this year, and it’s been a fantastic partner for my mid-rise lift:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/312305849

It’s the perfect height for sitting/moving around the underside of any vehicle on my
mid-rise lift (~48” lift height). The wheels roll smoothly, and also lock in place in case I need more leverage. It’s also designed to kneel on when more height is needed. The pads are comfortable, and I have no problems sitting in it for extended periods of time. I use this when underneath a lifted vehicle - if I’m just changing brakes or something not underneath the vehicle, I just use a standard rolling stool to sit on and roll around.