www.jec.org.uk

i am in two minds here, as i want to get a vehicle lift to install in my garage to be able to work on my cars , and others more easily

the dilemma is function over cost over ease of installation

the easiest option is a portable floor standing scissor hydraulic lift , this will take the weight of the car and runs from a 13a plug top ,
this is however limiting in its access under the guts of the car, suspension etc will be fine as the pads sit under the jacking points just like a 2 post lift, but the beams and hydraulics will be in the middle of the unit limiting access to things like gearboxs and exhausts etc

the second is a two post lift, funny enough entry level units cost the same as a scissor lift, and are about a grand , this is however where it gets tricky , as the two post lift needs 200mm more than my garage roof allows, needing the walls to be raised and the roof refitted , as that is new anyway
the main advantage of the 2 poster is full freedom of working underneath

your thoughts allowing for the above would be appreciated

like ( the scissor lift is a bag of ***** , don't buy it , lol ) etc

BB

The two poster must be favourite. Do you need the 200mm for the height of the two posts?

yes to 200mm , as the top of the posts will stick out of my existing roof as it is

i know the 2 post is better, but is the scissor almost as good given my above restrictions, thats what I'm asking

BB

The chap in the village who does our cars has a scissor lift; can't fit the XJS on it properly so has to do it the old fashioned way with a jack and axle stands.
Not sure of the make but I can find out next week if you like.

Hi BB,
You don't say if your garage roof is flat or pitched. Two hundred MM is almost 2/5ths of naff all but a bit critical on this occasion. Would upturned five gallon drums on a flat roof do the job ?

I would not dare make a suggestion as to the most appropriate lift. I believe it is a very much a personal choice and depends on funds available. I've worked under 2 posters and they rock about and frighten me fartless.

I obtained a four post lift for peanuts. The posts fit neatly into the corners of the garage Cost more for the paint to refurb it. After I finished installing it I borrowed six 45 gallon drums, placed them on the lift platforms and lifted them to contact the underside of the flat roof. Then cut the roof free with a chain saw and used it as a work platform to brick up the gable ends. Put in two RSJ's and a block and tackle all under a tiled pitched roof. I should have filled the drums with water cos the weight of the bricks started to collapse the drums !

So, for years now, the old XJ lives upstairs and the S is parked beneath.

I hope this gives you something to chew over. After all it is a long term benefit which you are unlikely to want to revisit at a later date

Oldtimer

I have a scissor lift that lifts my xk8 no problem at all it is without doubt the best tool I have ever purchased cost around 1200 but worth every penny access is good and I have not tackled anything that it has got in the way of yet
ChersIan

BB,

I have been considering this same issue for the last year. You've already had a number of my responses but here's my 2p-worth:

- If you're really thinking about the scissor lift, go and put the XJS on one and then be realistic about why you're buying it and what restrictions it gives. If it's wheel and hub-related work, I think you're fine, but if it's exhaust, gearbox, rear end etc, I think it has major limitations. A friend of mine bought one and 3 months later was trying to sell it as it just didn't work for him at all. He said it had major access issues for what he wanted to do.

- If your budget can move to £2k, there are 2 options now for height restrictions on 2-post lifts. 2 different models have been developed that only require 2m height. One is available thru CJ Autos (really good range of vehicle access equipment). See here:

http://www.cjautos.eu/product_p/cl07.htm

The other one is the Max Jax, very popular in the US. I think it works out at similar price. There is a distributor in Essex:

http://maxjaxuk.com/

I understand that all lifts like this when used in the UK now have to be capable of locking in any position not just a fixed height. I believe that both these models have had to be re-engineered to do this. The other advantage with these portable lifts is that you could have 2 sets of ground pins fitted, one in the garage and one in the driveway, say, giving you more options.

I'm not sure if you have a double garage but be aware of the width required for these type of lifts in order for the arms to be fitted properly to the car. In the end this precluded me being able to get one.

-Another option is to go for the tilting ramps configuration. They are a bit bulky but you can use x-beams and jacks in order to work on wheels and hubs etc. I think they work out at about £400.

http://www.restorationramps.co.uk/phdi/ ... ent&part=2

- The most compact option, but with the least flexibility, is to use hydraulic ramps. Again you'd need to use jack stands etc in order to remove wheels. With a max height to bottom of tyre at about 37cm, they give the least height, but are cost-effective, can be used anywhere and can be easily stored. See here:

http://www.cjautos.eu/product_p/cr012.htm


What would I do? If I had the money & the space, I'd have a restricted height 2-post in a flash! But seeing as I don't have either, I'm going to be ordering the hydraulic ramps this week.

Good luck BB. I'm really interested to see what you do!

Paul

This makes good reading. I'm planning an extension with another garage for the house I'm about to move to, considering designing it to have head height for a 2 poster lift.

That way I can also keep two cars in there. But shhh don't tell the missus....

BB,

As from Jan,CJ Autos will have a 1-post car lift with cspacity of 2.5 tonnes. And it can be supplied with a post height of 2m if necessary. See here:

http://www.cjautos.eu/mobile/Product.as ... tCode=CL08

Paul