I like this. I don't have room for a full size lift. I don't know what it's called; so I can research it.
What Is This Lift Called?
- Thread starter SpeedThrills
- Start date
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Scissor lift, mobile and work quite well, the have many styles these days, but they came out over 20 years ago
Scissor lift, now I remember. Got CRS! Thanks, I'm gonna check it out.
gzig5
Well-Known Member
Mid-rise scissor lift. Usually rated for 6,000 lbs. I have one and it works very nicely. I usually get the car up in the air and then bring it down onto wheel cribs made from dimensional lumber. It's pretty solid on its own, but I don't trust anything when I'm underneath it. If the wheels have to be off, there are extended jack stands for use with lifts. They are mobile, but they weigh over 1000 pounds so it isn't like you just throw them around. Moving takes planning and hopefully a smooth and level floor.
abdywgn
dismantler
Quickjack is another type
https://www.quickjack.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoo9Hvc1e9AR2FgbWNTPMy5Vu6mCyJz7fnqvsB_1HrHwC7iQwEm6
https://www.quickjack.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoo9Hvc1e9AR2FgbWNTPMy5Vu6mCyJz7fnqvsB_1HrHwC7iQwEm6
I know it wasn't the question but I've wondered why people are interested in these. They aren't cheap (cost 2/3rds the price of a 2 post or 4 post lift) and have limited use. You can't store a car under it, work in the middle of the car, work underneath (at least easily) and how often do you need both ends of the car up in the air? They also take up a garage space. Even with my 4 post lift I sometimes just slide a floor jack under one end or one corner to do tires or get underneath for a small job. I would look at one of those pneumatic/hydraulic floor jacks as an option or perhaps the Maxjax portable 2 post lift. Perhaps check our www.garagejournal.com to see what people say about these.
I agree. Tires, brakes, oil changes and the like. May be drop a rear mounted gas tank. Probably no 8 3/4 gear changes. No exhaust or transmission work. All hoists have their own advantages and disadvantages. The twin post asymmetrical are probably the best. Just watch the "heavy on one end" applications.
missing linc
Loose nut behind the wheel
I have the MaxJax two post lift and have been very happy with it for about 12 years now. I am able to do virtually anything that I can imagine with a vehicle on it. Have done transmission swaps, (I have a transmission jack that fits underneath), dropped out fuel tanks, dozens of brake jobs, wheel swaps, engine swaps, exhaust work, front end work, the thing is fantastic. I would love to have a full lift hoist but I don't have the room for one, and at 6 ft 7 inches tall, there are very few lifts that I can really walk under anyway. Price wise I think they are fairly close to the scissors style and can easily be moved to make room if needed. I take mine 'down' every fall since I don't have heat in my garage and I typically want the maximum amount of space to put 4 vehicles in the garage over winter.
The scissors lift doesn't require as much ceiling height. I had one for several years before I built a new shop that allowed me to get a 2-post lift.
I went through this process of deciding what I wanted in 2008 when I was getting into "restorations". I looked at the mid-rise and still think they have the place especially when room is tight. I do like the fact the MJ (MaxJax) can be unbolted and rolled out of the way. I have two maxjax systems and one extra column. I have three places I can use them. That is another drawback having to drill holes in the concrete. The width I have mine mjs mounted are 118" from outside to outside. It's just the darned versatility of the MJs are super. I see used ones pop up on FB market place now n then.
dne'
ps: I guess another drawback is most the time you cannot open a door fully, and the larger the car, the worse it may become. Perhaps if I had widened the columns, it might have eliminated that.
notice the low tall jack stands, I feel are a must to have, plus I can remove the maxjax posts.
and notice here the added pad extensions, 6 + 3" here.
dne'
ps: I guess another drawback is most the time you cannot open a door fully, and the larger the car, the worse it may become. Perhaps if I had widened the columns, it might have eliminated that.
notice the low tall jack stands, I feel are a must to have, plus I can remove the maxjax posts.
and notice here the added pad extensions, 6 + 3" here.
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Great work and setup!
I went through this process of deciding what I wanted in 2008 when I was getting into "restorations". I looked at the mid-rise and still think they have the place especially when room is tight. I do like the fact the MJ (MaxJax) can be unbolted and rolled out of the way. I have two maxjax systems and one extra column. I have three places I can use them. That is another drawback having to drill holes in the concrete. The width I have mine mjs mounted are 118" from outside to outside. It's just the darned versatility of the MJs are super. I see used ones pop up on FB market place now n then.
dne'
notice the low tall jack stands, I feel are a must to have, plus I can remove the maxjax posts.
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omg yes, prices are crazy! at least keep an eye out for used lifts. Never know a good deal may pop up 
I have an old (1986) weaver 2 post.... Pretty new for Weaver as rotary bought them out in 1989 and squashed the brand.
Built like a brick **** house. Huge floor plates under the columns and THICK columns. It has no cross plate across the top but has the floor plate which contrary that others may say has never been in the way or prevented me from doing anything I've ever wanted to do on it. A lift with the floor plate works better with lower ceilings. You might not be able to use the full extension but still tons better than a floor jack and stands ... I got it at a steal off of CL about 13 years ago.
The ONLY new lift still made that comes close to being as stout as what mine is, is a Mohawk which was $7k new back when that cheap place in Indy wanted $1200 for an import 8000# 2 post..... and that was 2012 when I got this one.
Built like a brick **** house. Huge floor plates under the columns and THICK columns. It has no cross plate across the top but has the floor plate which contrary that others may say has never been in the way or prevented me from doing anything I've ever wanted to do on it. A lift with the floor plate works better with lower ceilings. You might not be able to use the full extension but still tons better than a floor jack and stands ... I got it at a steal off of CL about 13 years ago.
The ONLY new lift still made that comes close to being as stout as what mine is, is a Mohawk which was $7k new back when that cheap place in Indy wanted $1200 for an import 8000# 2 post..... and that was 2012 when I got this one.
gzig5
Well-Known Member
I don’t have the side clearance in my two car garage to fit a two or for post lift and still have my wife’s car fit. The mid-rise stays completely under the car. Yes it is a compromise, but in my case it provides a solution to my lack of floor space. I looked at putting an addition on the garage but it would have been nearly $50k and in the end the city wouldn’t give me a waiver for the drainage easement on that side of the house. I picked mine up used for $1200 and it’s done everything I’ve needed so far.
Yes a 2 or 4 post lift takes a big bite out of your floor space. My 4 post lift is 10 feet wide. Somedays I wish it wasn't there (or I had a bigger garage).
Mine only cost me $450 back when I got it.
I was afraid of losing out in the time I hung up the phone and got there with the cash....
I had to take it down where I bought it and re put it up here.
In between buying it and putting it back up my son was working at a place that did powder coating and sandblasted and powder coated the entire thing. 318 blue columns and foot pads, hemi orange arms. That wasn't free but much reduced since he worked there and actually did the job. He did the powder coating as (I forgot which) Christmas present or for my birthday present or father's day that year.... So that part didn't cost "me" anything...
I was afraid of losing out in the time I hung up the phone and got there with the cash....
I had to take it down where I bought it and re put it up here.
In between buying it and putting it back up my son was working at a place that did powder coating and sandblasted and powder coated the entire thing. 318 blue columns and foot pads, hemi orange arms. That wasn't free but much reduced since he worked there and actually did the job. He did the powder coating as (I forgot which) Christmas present or for my birthday present or father's day that year.... So that part didn't cost "me" anything...
but, I can see how this could be a very useful lift for sure~ I hope he finds one at a reasonable price.
missing linc
Loose nut behind the wheel
Sometimes they come up for sale used or at dispersal auctions. My brother has picked up 2 or 3 used ones in the last few years.
I can just imagine myself somehow gettin caught in a scissors lift on the way down.
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