Bruce In Philly

Ok, my 50-something back is winning the war..... I need a lift... or more accurately, would like one. Lotsa stuff out there......

Questions:

1 - What is the real ground clearance of a 992.2 C2S with PASM? My owners' manual denotes that clearance is 4.33" at max gross weight. Really? Anyone with real experience here?
2 - Anyone with BendPak experience? I really like the $1995 MD-6XP w/hydraulics and 50" lift but a 4-3/4" requirement.
3 - How about the Harbor Frieght model? 7" clearance but high lift $1500
4 - EZ Car Lift - no hydraulics, expensive, not as high lift but appears lighter, easy to store, portable, won't drag on the ground as it lifts, and some say safer. Drive-over clearance not an issue as you can slide the unit under the waiting car. $2000

BendPak: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...2674_200102674

Harbor Freight: http://www.harborfreight.com/automot...ift-91315.html 7" clearance but high lift

http://ezcarlift.com/

Here is a really good review of the BendPak model: http://www.corvetteforum.com/forums/...ng-no-56k.html

Use: Light use such as brakes, oil, detailing (most common use), plugs, winter/summer wheel changes, control arms. I am looking at another plug change in 9K miles and have a set of control arms staring at me waiting for installation.

Constraints: No room for a multi-post or similar lift. I suspect I will have to build wood platform and always park the car over it..... seems like a ton of work.

Peace
Bruce in Philly

Sneaky Pete

I would steer clear from Harbor Freight. They are good for cheap tool and air compressors but I would not trust a car lift from there. I have a Maxjack and it works out well buy from you wrote you don't have the room. A mid-rise scissors like the Bendpak would fit the bill. I'm pretty sure you would not have clearance issues unless your car is lowered. Also look at this one..

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/At...-Mid-Rise-Lift

Sneaky Pete

Plus.....buy from out of state and try to find a deal for free shipping.

Fred R. C4S

First off, let me say right up front that I have NO firsthand experience with the Harbor Frieght product in question. Over the past 25 years I have purchased the odd tool from HF, usually expecting it to only work a few times before the low quality, Chinese built item fails. I bought them knowing it was good for only a few uses, then throw away. I bought the product because with my light duty use, I didn't need a professional grade tool from Snap-On, MATCO, etc.

About the last thing I would dare to do is work under a car fully supported by a HF lift. The Risk is way out of line with the Reward. Using one of their "aluminum racing jacks" is dicey enough even with a good jack stand.

I've worked in the service industry for off highway machines for years. I've been to a lot of third world locations and seen practices that would scare the bejezuz out of you. Try a road side repair shop in India, China, Mexico or Africa. I made to retirement by not crawling under things like HF lifts.

YMMV

ltcjmramos

For my GT3, I had an Eagle Equipment scissor lift similar to this one http://www.eagleequip.com/product/PMR-6000-48.html Worked for all my needs.

My GT3 would not clear it, so, placed 2x12s on each side, which worked fine.

Bruce In Philly

Pete, thanx... this one looks like a winner. Drive on!!! No clearance problems!!!

However the unit you posted also requires compressed air system for safety locks. This "one model down" looks fine....

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/At...e-Scissor-Lift
http://cdn.gregsmithequipment.com/do...KWIK-BAY-2.pdf


So far..... this appears the best to suite my needs... The only thing I may want is more gradual ramps... easily done with some wood stock. I could drive up on it every day.... 4" climb.... yep... looking good.

Peace
Bruce in Philly

Wayne Smith

Looks interesting. Please report back on what you do and how you like it. I am tempted to follow!

DGrayling

Would it be possible to drop the 997 transaxle with one of these lifts? I'm just wondering if the lift would be in the way for this type of job.

Sneaky Pete

Good catch Bruce....that one looks good too. With that you can do reg maintanance at all 4 corners, change your oil and do some underneath engine work like plug and coils. The scissors is limited for space undernath though. That was the main reason I went for a post lift. If one would plan on dropping a motor and transmission a scissors is not the lift. Whatever lift you end up with you will be kicking yourself for waiting so long.....I know that from experiance.

Canyonrs4

I have a freind that has the Max Jack- http://www.maxjaxusa.com/ Great lift and movable (bolts down)

Sounds like this would work for your needs and would also move into a corner when you do not need it.

aaks38

I actually own a HF lift and purchased it 2 years ago. Theres a few guys on the 993 forums whom were using this and thats how i caught word of it. Has been awesome especially considering i got it at $700 shipped after some coupons. Ive used it on several different cars and its been awesome. I had a mustang perched up 40" for over a week.

The reality is that every lift that is currently being made, is being made in China except for the Snap on lifts, so your getting the same steel, same weld quality but just different designs as bend park, greg smith are all made in China.

You may want to look at the new ranger lift as its been getting a lot of attention on the vette forums..much like the ezlift but much cheaper.

http://www.bestbuyautoequipment.com/...er-bl-5000.htm

MFGJR

If clearance is a concern, can you recess it in the floor? Have seen that done with the MD-6XP, would need a cover when not in use. Here's an example:



Here's what I did with a Bendpak P-6F:





The pads on the P-6F miss the 997 jack points by one inch. I have some pieces being fabricated to deal with that, will report back on how it works shortly.

pfbz

Garage Journal has a ton of threads/reviews on home lifts as well as some group buys/vendor discounts... I've also been thinking about adding a lift, but really need a bit more garage space for it to work out.

Really like the in-floor installation... one of my biggest issues is how much space the lifts take up when not in use.

cairo94507

I had a 4 post BendPak I installed in my last house which had a 10' ceiling. My new house does not have that ceiling height so I am considering one of the scissor-style lifts recessed into the floor as shown above. I think that meets my needs for a lift and still does not take up space. I have an oversized 3 car garage but still like to keep it open. The recessed floor installation is a very clean way to accomplish this without creating a trip hazard when no car is on the lift. For you young guys not a concern, but as we get older our feet seem to find things on their own.

sidwin

i have a maxjax. it is nice to have a two post lift but the installation was a lot much more work.