I've read all the threads on QuickJack and EZCarLift and am exploring buying one for another 88 project. I'm posting this to learn if there are any more experiences out there with these lifts.
Having done two V8 swaps, I'm pretty familiar with the jacking points under the car and have spent hours rolling around on a creeper.
These lifts seem to prefer jacking points ideally in line with one another, front to back.
I'd appreciate any input on these lifts for my next project.
This was not written by me; I have no knowledge of the author. But it is a very detailed article, very well written, very informative. definitely worth a read.
FYI Todd - The photo was taken in 1993 when I started building my 1,860 ft² garage and yes, my first priority was the garage....
The story on the auto lift:
My girlfriend's sister’s boyfriend’s brother had a shop with four auto lifts which he moved into a smaller building. He stored the ‘extra’ lift at his home and well, over the years, his wife wanted the lift ‘gone’ from their backyard. As a result, one fine day he needed to move the lift swiftly and I offered a ‘perfect spot’ - my future garage!
Hence, I got a free auto lift before I formed and poured my garage slab…..
As today in 2024, the house and the garage totals roughly 4,720 square feet and yes, I STILL spend allot of time in my garage!
[This message has been edited by Vintage-Nut (edited 02-26-2024).]
I have been wanting a lift as well, but my garage is tight and my wife insists on parking her Murano in the garage from Nov - Mar. A permanent solution that would not be in the way of her parking her Murano is a single post car lift like this:
FYI Todd - The photo was taken in 1993 when I started building my 1,860 ft² garage and yes, my first priority was the garage....
The story on the auto lift:
My girlfriend's sister’s boyfriend’s brother had a shop with four auto lifts which he moved into a smaller building. He stored the ‘extra’ lift at his home and well, over the years, his wife wanted the lift ‘gone’ from their backyard. As a result, one fine day he needed to move the lift swiftly and I offered a ‘perfect spot’ - my future garage!
Hence, I got a free auto lift before I formed and poured my garage slab…..
As today in 2024, the house and the garage totals roughly 4,720 square feet and yes, I STILL spend allot of time in my garage!
I think I remember you telling that story, and it's awesome. I've always wanted a lift in my garage, but the last home I had which had the clearance for it... well, I only lived there for four years (knowing I would have to move again) so I didn't bother. I'd totally do it in this house... but it's a detached garage and the ceiling is not high at all. Much shorter ceiling than pretty much any garage I've had before. It's a 3-car, but all the bays are tight together. :/
quote
Originally posted by fieroguru:
I have been wanting a lift as well, but my garage is tight and my wife insists on parking her Murano in the garage from Nov - Mar. A permanent solution that would not be in the way of her parking her Murano is a single post car lift like this:
Here is a proposed layout of it with a fiero (centered for lifting with engine/transmission).
I would want to recess it in the floor to help keep it out of the way when not in use.
I like that you saved space for a urinal in the upper left-hand corner. Every man needs a urinal in their house. I told my wife that when I redo the master bathroom, I'm installing one... and she told me the only place I could have one is in the garage.
(Note: I realize it's not a urinal, but you should totally put one in there)
I'm pretty sure I'm going with the MaxJax because of the portability. Each post has casters. I've watched a video of the post being removed and relocated in five minutes.
The only down side I've learned is that the lift is either up or down, no in between positions such as working on brakes. In that case, I'd use the lift to raise the car and then place jackstands in correct positions. One Amazon reviewer added more holes for the locking bars.
Amazon reviews are generally poor.
The negative reviews center around hydraulic leaks and cylinder leaks/issues.
PS: The MaxJax site has numerous reviews with the majority all high ratings. MaxJax Reviews ------------------ 88GT 355 CI, AED HO 750 Double Pumper, AFR milled 180, Dyno'd at 427 HP, 360 WHP, F40 6-Spd anderson@gdsconsulting.com
[This message has been edited by V8Steve (edited 02-27-2024).]
V8Steve: The only down side I've learned is that the lift {MaxJax} is either up or down, no in between positions such as working on brakes. In that case, I'd use the lift to raise the car and then place jackstands in correct positions. One Amazon reviewer added more holes for the locking bars.
YES - as a safety rule, never trust a hydraulic jack/lift to 'hold' the load - ALWAYS put solid supports! Drilling more holes on the MaxJax column for 'locking positions' is a good idea!
Electric Lifts: Lower maintenance requirements, simplicity of their design leads to increased safety. One notable limitation is the somewhat 'jerky' operation for a precise height....
Hydraulic Lifts: Remarkably smooth and significant advantage when precision is required, however they're slower... Limitations - more complex, which can lead to more potential points of failure and fluid leaks, thus a higher likelihood of maintenance/repairs.
I have both systems and as an auto lift, personally like electric over hydraulic.
I agree. Apparently the latest MaxJax has 7 position holes.
This design is the only portable one around and one can unbolt the posts and roll them away like a handtruck. Unfortunately it's hydraulic.
I have extensive hydraulic experience and know enough not to trust them. For example, suppose a hose suffers a sudden burst when the vehicle is being raised?
I've made dozens of hoses for my tractor, running at 2500 PSI and have never even had a leak. If I suspect the hoses and connectors are inferior at the outset, I'll replace every one of them.
Ordered unit today.
The slab or shop floor requirement is 2500-3000 PSI 4.25" thick concrete. The contractor whose Dad poured it 27 years ago cannot confirm what I have. So, we're putting in two 4'x4' x12" mounting pads with #4 rebar and 4000 psi mix. Better safe than sorry.
This was not written by me; I have no knowledge of the author. But it is a very detailed article, very well written, very informative. definitely worth a read.
It is important to note that the author of the article failed to read or follow all of the instructions for the Quick Jacks.
The pictures show the Fiero is lifted with the end of the Quick Jacks having the Quick Jacks labels, to the front of the Fiero. It is clearly stated in the instructions, that the labeled end of the Quick Jacks is to go toward the "heavier" end of the vehicle. The illustration of the Porsche on the Quick Jacks is also incorrect. The author also states that the Quick Jacks move "forward" when raised. The Quick Jacks actually move toward the labeled end of the jacks, which should be pointed to the heavier end of the car.
The author also included a picture to illustrate that the Quick Jacks are to be parallel to each other, then notes that they should be "as parallel as possible". With the use of a simple tape measure, it is possible to play them "exactly" parallel, so that they are both going the same direction. This simple step goes a long way toward ensuring the jacks are stable with the car raised.
Most of the Fiero lifting points in the multicolored illustration are not accessible with the Quick Jacks.
The instructions provided by Quick Jacks are clearly written and worth reading and following, for both assembly and use, before lifting your car off the ground.
[This message has been edited by 87GT3800SC5SPD (edited 02-27-2024).]
I've had my Maxjax for a couple years. I love it. I bought two sets of anchors so that I could move it from one side of the garage to the other if needed. The only negative thing I can say about them is that the connections to the hydraulic rams wasn't well thought out. If you use the hardware supplied, you'll end up with a leak at that point. It's difficult to get tools in place, plus you can't fully tighten the connectors and have them line up. If you tighten it properly, you can't access the quick connect. I just went to a hydraulic supplier and they put together a new connector for me. Easier to install and eliminated any leaks. Minor issue for a great lift.
