Want to buy a lift... is this one any good? | FerrariChat

Want to buy a lift... is this one any good?

Discussion in '348/355' started by jonomo, Jun 17, 2007.

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  1. jonomo

    jonomo Rookie

    May 30, 2007
    22
    #1 jonomo, Jun 17, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Hello~

    I wanted to buy a lift.. and saw this picture on another thread... anyone know which one this is and if it's any good... looks kind of dangerous no?

    Can't decide if I should get a really compact one like this... or go with a full sized lift... Also, if you park another car under your lift.. is it a good idea to have the suspension and tires dangling like that for long periods?
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  2. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,220
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    :eek: That's a snap-on lift mate, I would imagine it would be a good one because I haven't seen them make anything crap yet.......but I can assure you it would cost a pretty penny ;) Dangerous? Nah it's ok to use. That lift has limited uses, by the looks all you could do is minor suspension work and tyre replacments.

    If I need a lift I would buy a 2 Poster, I used them for years at my old workshop when I worked there. As far a having your car up on a hoist and having the suspension dangling for long periods, It wouldn't do anyharm to them mate, probably a good thing for your tyres preventing them from getting flat spots on them from your car sitting idle for a few months :)
     
  3. grub

    grub Karting

    Jun 19, 2006
    101
    Sydney OZ
    Full Name:
    Grant
  4. cscott67

    cscott67 Formula Junior

    May 13, 2007
    418
    Milwaukee
    Full Name:
    Scott
    The easiest lift to use for lowered cars like Ferraris is a 4-post. You can stack/store cars, and you don't have to worry about suspension hanging at full droop and causing problems. I have a 2-post as well, but I have to f-ck around putting the car up on blocks to get it 4 inches higher so I can get the lift arms under it. For normal cars and trucks (not lowered) The two post is a good "service" lift, not storage lift. Check around, the two poster can be had for less than 2K, Scott
     
  5. spider348

    spider348 Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2003
    1,273
    MA
    Full Name:
    John
    I have the Bend Pak version MD-6XP. Excellent lift. In my case I purchased due to limited headroom. I cannot fit a full size lift without having the car in my family room. OK with me but my wife would not be thrilled!
     
  6. mrpcar

    mrpcar Formula 3

    May 27, 2007
    1,114
    Chino hills, CA
    Full Name:
    Robin
    #6 mrpcar, Jun 17, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    If you have space and high ceiling, get the two post, it will not interfere with engine drop or under panel removal. If you have garage height issue then the mid rise scissor lift is the best choice, because it still beats putting car on jack stands.

    The Porsche group did a group buy from Greg Smith equipment awhile back, I believe they came out to be something like $1500 each with freight charge. These things are heavy (1000+ lb) so make sure you request for lift gate service when they are delivered.

    The mid rise lift when folded is about 4-5 inches tall, so I just built a wood platform on each side of the lift and park my car above it. Takes me about 1 minute to line the lifting arm up and lift a car up. Has a safety mechanical lock to prevent the lift from dropping in case of a hydraulic failure. Very safe and stable.

    I believe almost all the mid rise lifts out there now is made in China, so...... Believe it or not quality actually is not bad.
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  7. fxdwgs

    fxdwgs Formula 3

    Aug 22, 2006
    1,016
    Sjobo, Sweden
    Full Name:
    Bengt
    Someone here once said you can not take the gas tank out if you have an x-lift. I do not have any experiance in this field at all but I would not buy an x-lift personally.

    //B//
     
  8. J. Salmon

    J. Salmon F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 27, 2005
    4,367
    VA
    I second the scissor lift comments (or is it third or forth at this point?) It is better than nothing, but it is hard to get at anything under the car, and if you have underbody panels, you are out of luck. It's fine for changing wheels and doing brake/suspension work.

    My Mohawk A-7 asymmetric two post goes in next week. Works with low ceiling, lets you stack and store if you need to, access is the same as the pros have. It is not that much more expensive, though I honestly can't remember what I paid for it (around 4k, I think). And no, leaving the suspension unloaded, even for long periods of time, does not harm anything (any more than just leaving it sitting. I don't recommend either, really).

    http://www.mohawklifts.com/consumer/a7.php
     
  9. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

    May 26, 2006
    10,244
    U.S.A.
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    goth
    +1 The two post lift gives you all the flexibility for engine-out, suspension work and under-body work :).
     
  10. spider348

    spider348 Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2003
    1,273
    MA
    Full Name:
    John
    Have not done a major on my 348 spider with my Bend Pak scissor lift but see no reason there would be any problems. Access is fine, limited by height restrictions. An absolute improvement over my 4 floor jack method used 3 years ago! I would prefer a real 2 post lift but my garage ceiling is low. I cannot use the 48”+ the Bend Pak will lift. Good quality product IMHO.
     
  11. Bee Jay

    Bee Jay Formula Junior

    Apr 14, 2004
    750
    Lompoc, Ca.
    Full Name:
    Bernard E. Jones
    #11 Bee Jay, Jun 18, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  12. MDshore348

    MDshore348 Formula 3

    Dec 24, 2004
    2,460
    Maryland
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    Darron
    #12 MDshore348, Jun 18, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  13. J. Salmon

    J. Salmon F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 27, 2005
    4,367
    VA
    Love the door setup. Did you use I-drives?
     
  14. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,220
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap

    Very cool. :) That is my 'things to buy next' list. :):)
     
  15. MDshore348

    MDshore348 Formula 3

    Dec 24, 2004
    2,460
    Maryland
    Full Name:
    Darron
    no i understand the I- drives are not so good. im getting belt drive super quiet commercial units. they mount on the spring shaft in the corner of the door . nothing hanging down in the way...
     
  16. PBBMTRY

    PBBMTRY Karting

    Apr 3, 2006
    169
    Monterey, Ca
    #16 PBBMTRY, Jun 18, 2007
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I have Stinger 4 post that I use for storage. It is easy up / easy down and was fairly simple to put together on a Saturday. I don't work on the car so I have no opinion as to how it would work for maintenance.

    www.Stingerlifts.com (800) 854-4850
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  17. gothspeed

    gothspeed F1 World Champ

    May 26, 2006
    10,244
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    goth
    +1 ...I had one of those "I" drives and it barely lifted my double wall/insulated door. It took twice as long to open the door as my 3/4hp screw drive does :)!
     
  18. fxdwgs

    fxdwgs Formula 3

    Aug 22, 2006
    1,016
    Sjobo, Sweden
    Full Name:
    Bengt
    No wonder you store the Chevy outside and the F-car indoors.

    I keep my King Cab outside too.


    No.........just kidding.

    My brother in law just bought a "Vette" and it is a beautiful car.

    I am in the market for a Mustang Mach 1 71- 72 -73 with Cleveland engine.

    Someone know where to find one in good condition?

    //B//
     
  19. JSBMD

    JSBMD Formula Junior

    Mar 17, 2007
    450
    The OC
    Full Name:
    John
    PBBMTRY,

    You have the 4 post lift... many questions, as I am also looking to add a 4 poster to my garage. As you are also in CA, is your lift bolted to the floor (for earthquake reasons)-- hard to tell from the photos, but I'm guessing yes. Have you experienced an earthquake after you installed your lift? I'm guessing it did fine, but would like to hear if you have any cautions to share. Did you install it yourself, or have someone else do it for you? I live down in Orange county, and couldn't find in the yellow pages a listing for garage lifts (I looked under "garage", "automotive", "lift", "elevators", etc). I have found many brands on the internet, but each is a manufacturer, so the opportunity to hear an unbiased opinion regarding the various brands is zero if I go that route. Would appreciate any input as to dealers/installers in the SoCal area if you or any other F chatters have experience in this area (please give names, etc).

    Thanks to any and all who help. I think a lot of us have these same issues: too many cars for our garage spaces.

    John
     
  20. PBBMTRY

    PBBMTRY Karting

    Apr 3, 2006
    169
    Monterey, Ca
    My Stinger lift is not bolted down. My brother has two Stingers and neither are bolted down. In fact, he has some sort of wheel kit that would allow you to move it around in the garage. I could not find in the instructions where it recommended bolting it down.

    I have not experienced any earthquakes after the lift was installed. I would expect that it may "crab" along the floor but I don't see how it could tip over.

    We bought it on line and had it delivered directly to the house. It is a fairly simple system. My wife and I put it together in a day. But I did have my cousin come over when it was time to attach the main rails. There is no way that just her and I could have moved those items.

    A word of caution -- measure your garage and cars well first. I had plenty of room but my brother had to tilt his garage door rails and raise the opener height.

    I have a 3 car garage and plan on buying another lift if I get another weekend car. With 2 young boys, having the car in the air keeps it from getting scratched by the passing bikes, etc.
     
  21. JSBMD

    JSBMD Formula Junior

    Mar 17, 2007
    450
    The OC
    Full Name:
    John
    PBBMTRY,

    Thanks regarding earthquake and assembly info. I guess the lift is sturdy if you're not worried about tipping over. Some "crabbing" is no big deal, but a tip over is a huge deal. I may or may not have to relocate the garage door rails, but I think it's a small price to pay to put one more car in the garage. Thanks again,

    John
     

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