M. Requin

My shop has very limited space, so an important question for me is the space between columns for a MaxJax which will only be used on my 928. On Page 11 of the Installation Manual I downloaded from Danmar, they note 105" to 115" is "typical for sport compacts". Using their measurement points, what is the distance at which you have placed your posts? This is very likely a decision-maker on the lift I'll buy, so I will very much appreciate your information.

pjg

I put mine at 120"

fraggle

interesting option!!

dr bob

I put extra anchors in so I can have it wide or narrow. Each additional spacing option takes three more anchors. So narrow for some projects with easy outside room. Wider when I need to open the doors. I end up leaving it at the 132" spacing most of the time so I can park between columns.

martyp

128" for me and I park the 993 between the columns. I do wish I had followed Dr Bob's lead and added more anchor points . . .

M. Requin

Bob, how narrow is your narrow setting?

dr bob

I'll be home tonight and get you some dimensions. My narrowest setting requires perfect placement of the car, rolled in with doors closed. I'll get some pictures if I can and post them tomorrow.

M. Requin

Great- that's exactly what I need!

AO

I don't recall off hand how far apart I set mine (120" I think), but have been thinking about drilling a few more holes for a wider placement. Car's up on them right now, so probably nothing is going to happen until spring.

dr bob

OK--

FINALLY made it home.


The widest spacing I have is 132". Each set of holes lets me move a column in about 5.125".

The narrowest possible 928 width in my arrangement is about 109", but it requires a lot of moving the car to get things to work. At that width, there is no one car position for-aft that will let the arms swing in and clear the tires. The car must be perfectly centered between the columns. Car is pushed forward enough to swing the front arms in, rolled back enough to get the rear arms in, then adjusted to get the pads under the lift points. There is absolutely no room for error or adjustment. Arms are at minimum length and inside of perfectly centered under the car lift pads. Doors are pinned closed by the columns, so all positioning adjustments are done through the lowered window.

The 115" positioning is the minimum practical width.

I leave the columns at 132" and have reasonable access with the car slightly rear of centered. Mirrors are right at mid-column for reference. If I had another 3 anchors I would add another option on one side for 137" spacing. That would give full door open option, although the rear arm would still be a bit in the way. Duck under and stand between the extended arms for working in the footwell from outside.

Note that spacing numbers reference the method in the manual. Measured from the --outside-- of the mounting pads. The little tabs for the wheels extend out a couple inches beyond on each side.

GES supplied the extra anchors with my order for a few dollars each. I also bought the 6" lift pad extensions but have yet to use them.

MGW-Fla

ahhhhhhhhhh I want one of these soooooo baaaaaad!!!

Where's Santa when ya need em???

TheoJ

I tested with a small (euro) compact and arms rather extended so that I can use the lift with these. Next put the 928 in and noticed the arms to be extended almost half way. That leaves some manouvering (easier, no need to put the car precisely in the middle) and still a bit of margin for a wider car. Be aware, you need the flexibility to adjust the arms and not keep moving the car back and forth until it is perfectly lined up.
I'm totally satisfied with teh Maxjax lift. Simply great for a low ceiling garage !!!

dr bob

Theo--

Martin's question was about the minimum width for the columns due to his limited space.

The 132" spacing on mine has the arms about mid-extension, maybe a tiny bit more. The Max Jax manual shows smaller typical spacings for sport compacts, but the 928 isn't that narrow and the jack points are pretty far out laterally from the centerline of the car. The EPA size rating on the car says sub-compact based on interior space, but it has about the same floor shadow as my early 4dr Explorer SUV did, but that was lifted from the frame almost a foot inside the door edge. FWIW, I can lift Karen's 4Runner with the columns narrower than I have to use for the 928. Who would have guessed that?

TheoJ

Hello Dr Bob,
ah, sorry, I missed that bit. But my point remains that if you give up too much on adjusting room for the arms it gets difficult to get the car positioned correctly.
Mine is positioned at 3.20 meter so about 125 inch.

Regards

M. Requin

First and foremost many thanks! and a very Merry Christmas!! This was even more detail than I had hoped for and exactly what I needed. I brought the 928 into my VERY limited space, used a plumb bob and some spray paint to locate the lift points on the car, and learned a lot. What you pointed out about the footprint of the lift points is exactly right, and I would recommend anyone who is considering any kind of lift for a cramped space to pay close attention here!

I am still finalizing my plans, but these dimensions have narrowed my choices to two lifts, a Bendpak scissors lift and the MaxJax. It looks like I will probably eliminate the MaxJax tomorrow, just not enough room. The scissors lift is a compromise, but a more workable one I am thinking at this point.

Thanks again, and I'll keep you posted!