got my Kwik Lift - Page 2

madmaxx · #1 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009, 11:21 AM

I have 112.5" at 108 inches you are real close to the squezze point. The good news is the lifts goes up very slow so there is no way for it to get away from you, they come down as fast as you want depending on how far you push the lever in. There is no doubt you could have the lift, the question is can you park two cars in the garage. The first mechanical stop coincedenattly is at the same spot as the mechanical one shown here, then it goes up about 3 feet and they are every 6 or 7 inches for a total of 10.

madmaxx · #2 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009, 11:23 AM

Please do not let my pictures be decieving, I park a GMC on the open side in the pictures, in other words I am parking 3 cars in a two car garage which is 20feet by 20 feet.

BMK · #3 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009, 12:54 PM

Ron 61

Ron,

I have the four poster - similiar to Madmaxx. My ceiling height allows the GT40 easily and the standard family car below. Still lots of room.

I have seen the dry board removed and re boxed up similiar to a skylight opening. You generally pick up 8 - 10" here due to roof rafters/beams.

Another option I have seen when in Texas, was the use of a very large skylight that was placed above the screen and the roll bar.

This added the extra inches through the beam and a little extra, due to the raised skylight perspex section above roof iron - the skylight perspex dome.

.. there is always a way..

BMK · #4 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009, 12:59 PM

bobcowan

The lifts there looks good. Yes, would make it easy to work on the car.

Prior to placing the lift in here, I used a neighbours garage who has a pit.

I thought about a pit. It would be as easy as cutting the concrete and digging a pit. Concrete brickwork would be easy to install.

My neighbours pit is very old and it is formed with old hardwood timber and steel bracing - all looks re cycled timber.

Bernie

madmaxx · #5 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009, 06:51 PM

Yes the car is close to the ceiling but there is enough room. Garage door is completely out of the way, the attacjed pictures shows my original tension springs. the door would not stay down when closed and would not stay up when open. They actually make special drums for the torsion bar for a "high lift garage door application" Now it works perfect and little to no effort, my opener shows up next week and will mount on the side of the torsion bar.

On a side note in order to give cobra more room when the lexus is on top I decided to remove on of the blocks on each leg and relocate. After 1 hour with a 4.5" grinder, cut-off tool, dremel tool, 8lb sledge hammer, wedges I finally got 1 block off, three left. If you have a spatter of weld it is strong enough to support a Hummer. Holy sheet did I work to get it off. I was very carefull not to mar the lift or the angle the blocks were attached too. I got some 1" key stock to replace.

I work on cars and boats all the time, my lift has never gotten in the way, if necessary I put it all the way down and drive the car on the runways and park it that way. In fact it helps because I will raise the cobra and pile all my project stuff I am working on under it, like ladders, saws etc or whatever other tools I do not want to put away until the project is complete.

ZOERA-SC7XX · #6 (**permalink**) 01-13-2009, 06:31 PM

After following this thread for the last week, I finally pulled the trigger and bought a 4-post. I got the special from American Automotive after spending a couple of hours pricing and reading specs. The 2-post almost had me sold, but I really wanted the extra car storage that came with the 4-post. The Quik-Lift wasn't an option for me, as it was just too expensive for what it offered and didn't seem too much better than four jackstands. I'm just tired of laying on my back working on my cars. I think the 4-post is the biggest bang for your (my) buck. Thanks for all the input, as all arguments had their merits.

Just got an email from them...the special is being continued until Friday. Good deal.

madmaxx · #7 (**permalink**) 01-13-2009, 07:35 PM

Congratulations!!! Each post can be handled by an individual, the ramp without the cylinder by two. The ramp with the cylinder either 4 or two and a floor jack. Very easy to assemlbe and hard to do wrong. All the fansterners just hold pieces in place, they do not "support" anything. The ramps overhand the cross bars for support. Make sure after you are done your hydraulic hose it angled up under the runway so the cable does not drag, no real big deal if it does since it is armored under the rubber but with a slight adjustment it will not touch. It will be obvious.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZOERA-SC7XX

After following this thread for the last week, I finally pulled the trigger and bought a 4-post. I got the special from American Automotive after spending a couple of hours pricing and reading specs. The 2-post almost had me sold, but I really wanted the extra car storage that came with the 4-post. The Quik-Lift wasn't an option for me, as it was just too expensive for what it offered and didn't seem too much better than four jackstands. I'm just tired of laying on my back working on my cars. I think the 4-post is the biggest bang for your (my) buck. Thanks for all the input, as all arguments had their merits.

Just got an email from them...the special is being continued until Friday. Good deal.

FUNFER2 · #8 (**permalink**) 01-13-2009, 08:36 PM

Deam- very nice cobra. Love the red and the car sits just right.

ZOERA-SC7XX- I'm thrilled to death, I just ordered a TWO post lift from a company.

http://www.gesusa.com/Dannmar-MaxJax...-p/1375659.htm

http://www.maxjaxusa.com/

http://www.dannmar.com/products/two-...jax/index.html

It's called the MaxJax. The vertical post's are only 89" and my garage ceiling weight is 108" (9 ft) (7,000 lb weight) The are pads only 3.5" tall so, for our Cobras or any low car, they will go under the car. My friend has a mechanic shop and has four lifts like this unit but, being larger, I have to drive my cobra on 2x4's to get it up high enough so the arms can go underneith.

Now, I can take out my tranny, all suspension work, brake jobs ect...... without laying on my back !

Really, I mean no,...dissrespect with the Kwik Lift, I also like it but, the ramps can be if your way, and to lift 2/4 wheels/tires off the ramp for brake work, suspension ect. you have to use bottle jacks (or the like) to get it up in the air. A lot of work compared to this 4 post lift. And since this MaxJax has saftey stops, just like my friends larger lift's, you can store your car up in the air, like the 4 post.

It's a awesome lift and can't wait for it !

If you guys or anyone else want one, I can get you a great deal but, you MUST, contact me only, for now,...ok ?

I will work my best to get you this deal for any of you.
$1,800 and Free Shipping !

There is so much more you can do with this lift and, you can still stand up.

This lift is so compact, I'll have no problem even leaving it up or store it away in a corner. It is totally portable.
You do anchor it into the ground with threaded, expansion bolts but, take the bolt's out and store it. The arms have simple pins, pull them out to store.

Even in my small garage, I plan on leaving my post's in all the time but, I may at times remove the arm's for even more room. If you look at the photo's, you'll see that all of the parts store in a nice small package. The post come with dolly wheels to make moving them very easy to move. I even thought of household jobs I could use it for. Put a sheet of plywood on each pad and I'll have a work bench. Building anything, welding ect. With my bad back, even putting my big dogs on the sheet high enough for me, and give them baths. lol

Any questions just email me. I will give you my number to call me if you wish.

(again, only contact me)

cobrakev@galaxycable.net

(this will work great for my motorcycle & ATV)

Thanks,

rokndad · #9 (**permalink**) 01-13-2009, 10:36 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/LIFTMASTER-3800-...3A1%7C294%3A50

Moving garage door openers to the side.....Liftmaster 3800 on ebay. $315 Buy it now with shipping. Easy if you have above door torsion spring rod 1" in dia. for sectional doors up to 14 ft high.

madmaxx · #10 (**permalink**) 01-13-2009, 07:38 PM

If you need info on how to get your garage door closer to the ceiling pm me and I will give you my phone number. You have a couple different options depending on your setup, I can communicate in 10 minutes with part numbers what took me 4 months to research. None of our local door people will have clue, if it not generic they are useless.

ZOERA-SC7XX · #11 (**permalink**) 01-14-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmaxx

If you need info on how to get your garage door closer to the ceiling pm me and I will give you my phone number. You have a couple different options depending on your setup, I can communicate in 10 minutes with part numbers what took me 4 months to research. None of our local door people will have clue, if it not generic they are useless.

Actually, I have a manual garage door. I didn't want my garage security dependent on an electronic device. The only time that I think about a door opener is when I'm out in the Cobra late and don't want to jump out to unlock/open and get back in the Cobra to put it away. Woe is me, such is life with a Cobra and my own garage.

And my own lift!

madmaxx · #12 (**permalink**) 01-14-2009, 07:46 AM

You can get the 3800 for $300 including shipping off ebay. If you have the torsion springs and move your door closer to the ceiling, in otherwords move your elbows up you also need to convert to high lift drums. They are conical shaped and cost about $30 for a pair, if you are just moving you opener out of the way then the liftmaster is the way to go.

madmaxx · #13 (**permalink**) 01-14-2009, 07:49 AM

Funfer2,

Nifty lift at a good price!!! Once again the decision fall on storage or repair, what is the max height under the car the lift will go to?

danc30 · #14 (**permalink**) 01-14-2009, 07:52 AM

How thick does the concrete need to be for the MaxJax?

I've been told at least 10" for a 2 post and 7" for a 4 post.

Just want to make sure everyone is covered, including myself, before looking at this.

rokndad · #15 (**permalink**) 01-14-2009, 09:19 AM

Also a very BIG ISSUE for these two post lifts. No matter what the thickness of your garage slab, make sure it is not a two-way post-tensioned slab. If it is, you are highly advised not to drill anchor holes in them or as an option, you may have a non-destructive x-ray company come out and spot the hole locations for you prior to drilling. Drilling without checking first in these slabs may cause a tendon in the slab to fail, posing a potential safety risk for whatever structure is on top of the slab....meaning your garage or house.

However, where they mark safe areas to drill, may not be in the exact place you wanted to place the lift. One more thing to check off on your list prior to buying.

RodKnock · #16 (**permalink**) 01-14-2009, 09:23 AM

What's a post tensioned slab? Tom, just kidding.

Yes, you would not want to snap one of those tightly wound steel tendons.

rokndad · #17 (**permalink**) 01-14-2009, 09:33 AM

Just about the opposite of pre-stressed I reckon. You crack me up. Get it?

madmaxx · #18 (**permalink**) 01-14-2009, 10:50 AM

4 post lift does not require a 7" thick slab!!! Hell the foot print of the post base (12"x12") is 3 times the footprint of your tire!!!!! Sheet you could probably put it on a gravel driveway. Now a two post makes me real nervous with the bending forces involved.

Chaplain · #19 (**permalink**) 01-14-2009, 11:29 AM

Thank you Madmaxx, just got to think things through sometimes.

FUNFER2 · #20 (**permalink**) 01-14-2009, 01:33 PM

madmaxx- lol, you're correct.

Very good safety questions, and I will try to ease your concerns.
A 4" slab with either rebar or the cattle fencing, is just fine.

Most residential or commercial foundations are strong enough to support a MaxJax™ lift. The minimum requirements is 2500-3000 PSI 4" thick concrete.

Think of it this way, if a loaded concrete truck, or like for me, having a dump truck with a full load of dirt or compost every spring, back up in my driveway and not crack the concrete. I'm not even concerned with the heavy weight of the delivery truck, with my lift in it and I'm sure he will have other products in the truck for other deliveries. The company has tested this system many ways, before marketing it.

Like I mentioned, my friend that has the mechanic shop, all of his are two post's. Now, they are the larger capacity for very heavy vehicles but again, they are two post not four.

Here are the Specifications-

Lifting Capacity: 7,000 Lbs. / 3175 Kg.
Style: Portable Two Post Lift
Overall Height: 89" / 2261 mm.
Height of Column: 64" / 1626 mm.
Typical Width (Outside of Base Plate): 105" - 125" / 2667 mm. - 3175 mm.
Arm Reach (Min.): 24" / 610 mm.
Arm Reach (Max.): 44" / 610 mm.
Min. Pad Height: 3.5" / 89 mm.
Max. Lift Height (Pad only): 45" / 1143 mm.
Max. Lift Height (With 3" Adapter): 52" / 1321 mm.
Motor: 110-220 VAC / 50-60 Hz. 1Ph.
Time of full Rise: 30-Seconds
Individual Column Weight: 300 Lbs. / 136 Kg.
Shipping Weight: 880 Lbs. / 399 Kg.
Shipping Dimensions: 14" x 64" x 40" / 356 mm. x 1626 mm. x 1016 mm.

I also want to say that I am not, a dealer. When I believe in a product, I'll voice my opinion, good or bad. I use the same forethought when buying different products for our sprint car. Proof is in the pudding.