4-post lift question...

[halfafish]

I am the happy owner of a new 4-post lift. When deciding to which way to go (2-post vs. 4-post) I had to weigh the pros and cons of each. A 2-post is better for working on the car but it is a permanent install and would have required cutting out and repouring stronger concrete in the shop floor. The 4-post needs no install (it is just sitting on the floor) and can be moved around if needed but it's not as easy for working under. I chose the 4-post but now that I'm using it I'm running into a problem. I feel like a dummy, but I can't figure out a good way to work on the wheels/tires/brakes. The issue is where to lift the car and how to get jack stands under it to do the brakes. There isn't enough room on the ramps to get a jack or jackstand under the frame, and for the front end the LCA's are far enough inside the ramps I can't get a stand under there to take the wheel off.

I made a platform to sit on top of the jack tray that will allow a jack or jackstqand but all mine are too tall - who makes a short jack?

Any input from those who have been down this road would be appreciated.

 

[512Stroker]

I am the happy owner of a new 4-post lift. When deciding to which way to go (2-post vs. 4-post) I had to weigh the pros and cons of each. A 2-post is better for working on the car but it is a permanent install and would have required cutting out and repouring stronger concrete in the shop floor. The 4-post needs no install (it is just sitting on the floor) and can be moved around if needed but it's not as easy for working under. I chose the 4-post but now that I'm using it I'm running into a problem. I feel like a dummy, but I can't figure out a good way to work on the wheels/tires/brakes. The issue is where to lift the car and how to get jack stands under it to do the brakes. There isn't enough room on the ramps to get a jack or jackstand under the frame, and for the front end the LCA's are far enough inside the ramps I can't get a stand under there to take the wheel off.

I made a platform to sit on top of the jack tray that will allow a jack or jackstqand but all mine are too tall - who makes a short jack?

Any input from those who have been down this road would be appreciated.

I use a 10 ton bottle jack

 

[RustyRatRod]

I am the happy owner of a new 4-post lift. When deciding to which way to go (2-post vs. 4-post) I had to weigh the pros and cons of each. A 2-post is better for working on the car but it is a permanent install and would have required cutting out and repouring stronger concrete in the shop floor. The 4-post needs no install (it is just sitting on the floor) and can be moved around if needed but it's not as easy for working under. I chose the 4-post but now that I'm using it I'm running into a problem. I feel like a dummy, but I can't figure out a good way to work on the wheels/tires/brakes. The issue is where to lift the car and how to get jack stands under it to do the brakes. There isn't enough room on the ramps to get a jack or jackstand under the frame, and for the front end the LCA's are far enough inside the ramps I can't get a stand under there to take the wheel off.

I made a platform to sit on top of the jack tray that will allow a jack or jackstqand but all mine are too tall - who makes a short jack?

Any input from those who have been down this road would be appreciated.

What kind and model is your lift? Lots of them come with optional rolling jacks that go in between the ramps. Some are pricey, but they are very nice.

 

[halfafish]

It's an Atlas 8000. It does have a jack tray but the problem I'm having is access for the jack while I have the platform in place for the jack stands.

 

[jaws]

I use a pair of three ton scissor jacks, and small jack stands.

 

[RustyRatRod]

It's an Atlas 8000. It does have a jack tray but the problem I'm having is access for the jack while I have the platform in place for the jack stands.

With the jack I am speaking of, you don't use jack stands. The jack has automatic locks on several levels.

 

[Tooljunkie]

I built a jack tray,and used bottle
Jacks. Because the tray is so much lower i can lift low cars too.

I traded some work for a rolling air/hydraulic jack so now i dont need it.
Hoist came with 2 jack trays, and i still use small bottle jacks when i need to.