To save some time researching..... What is the best automotive lift to use when working on the Dino 246? Note: I have 8 foot ceilings in my garage. If I use a lift which lifts from the wheels, how do I remove the wheel to work on the engine? Considering the 4.5 - 5.0 inch clearance under the Dino, it makes it difficult to get a jack underneath it while on any lift. I open to any suggestions and ideas. I am gearing up for some major work on the Dino to make it roadworthy after purchasing it. I want it ready for the Monterey weekend. Please provide manufacturer and model number. I live in California, near San Luis Obispo. I am about 1.5 hours north of Santa Barbara. Thanks, Rich 72 Dino 246GT #03510
Can't provide much help with manufacturers and part numbers but basically for car work a 2-post lift is generally considered better as it is easier to remove the wheels and suspension. All that can be done on a 4-post lift of course but the ramps can get in the way. I use my 4-post both for work and storage and rarely do the ramps get in the way. 4-post lifts have sliding jack options that go across both ramps and using that you lift the car and remove the wheels, it may be hard on a 246 with its low ground clearance but it can be done. Suspension work is not generally something that you do more than once or twice during the lifetime of the car. I find that driving up on the ramps and lifting is easier than drive up and put the lift arms under the car in just the right place so as to not damage anything, for my lazy backside, 4-posts is better. For your ceiling height, you probably will not be able to get full lift anyway and you will find yourself sitting in a comfy office chair with wheels to work on the car. If your car is moveable, bring it down and put it on my lift, we can put some strings across the rafters to simulate your ceiling height and see how high you can lift the car, you can also how comfy it is to work sitting down (or not comfy at all). Basically, 2-post or 4-post is a politics or religion kind of thing, you like one and hate the othe, I am neutral, I wanted simplicity and storage so I went with 4-post. 2-posts have to be of course bolted to the ground, 4-posts don't and give you some flexibily in a small garage, while working on the car you move the lift to the center and when not working on the car move it to the side if you got the lift caster kit.
Purchased the MD-6XP. Should barely fit under the Dino. It will raise it 48 inches. I will let you know how it works.
I have been using a 4 post lift for working on my dino for a few years now. At first I made up a "bridge" to span between the two running beams of the lift. This was a simple angle iron box with a plywood floor which hung down from the two lift beams such that the floor of the "bridge" is about 4 inches below the level of the beams (i.e below bottom of the road wheels) This allowed me to get a trolley jack or even axle stands in under the car. Later on I bought a good second hand lifting beam which is much easier to work with. Image Unavailable, Please Login
