Lift for my G70

[pulsar]

Ok, so I splurged some. Some will say it’s an overkill, but for those while truly like to get under their car and do your own work, installing my own lift made sense for me. I have two cars plus the wife’s and two college aged kids driving seems I’m always working on something. Oil changes are really nice. No longer dragging out the jack, jack stands or ramps. My garage ceiling limits how high I can lift, but 30+ inches is plenty for me. I can get my Miata up to 36 inches or so. Removing mower blades for sharpening the riding mower is a snap too. This pic only has my G70 about 20 inches up which allowed me to get the oil drain canister rolled in place. Was still doing some testing and monitoring bolt torq on the concrete inserts holding the columns in place. Taking some of this slow just to be cautious and double check everything since it’s my axx under the vehicle.

 

[Slip_Angle]

Ok, so I splurged some. Some will say it’s an overkill, but for those while truly like to get under their car and do your own work, installing my own lift made sense for me. I have two cars plus the wife’s and two college aged kids driving seems I’m always working on something. Oil changes are really nice. No longer dragging out the jack, jack stands or ramps. My garage ceiling limits how high I can lift, but 30+ inches is plenty for me. I can get my Miata up to 36 inches or so. Removing mower blades for sharpening the riding mower is a snap too. This pic only has my G70 about 20 inches up which allowed me to get the oil drain canister rolled in place. Was still doing some testing and monitoring bolt torq on the concrete inserts holding the columns in place. Taking some of this slow just to be cautious and double check everything since it’s my axx under the vehicle.

Awesome. I've always wanted something like this.. How much did those post lifts cost? I was looking at some portable scissor lifts a few months ago...

 

[pulsar]

Got um on sale about $2200. Bendpak owns the company who makes these and they have been involved in lifts for many years. Some lifts can be a little cheaper, but these have wheels on the back edge of the post so in less than 5 minutes I can unbolt and move a column up against my garage wall if it’s in my way. 6000 pound capacity will do everything I need. These are made for low ceiling applications. If you have 10ft+ or so ceilings there are plenty of choices out there. You need to be sure your concrete is better than 4 inches thick for proper attachment of mounting hardware. I drilled down 4 1/2 inches to mount my anchor sleeves and did not hit dirt so figured I was good. There are enough you tube videos out there with lift accidents to scare the hell out of you.

 

[Husky]

Congrats, you'll love it! About fifteen years ago I built a large heated two car detached garage with a high ceiling and thick floor for the express purpose of satisfying a dream and getting a lift (and car storage and workshop). But then I felt maybe it was a bit extravagant and questioned whether or not I could justify it, so I put it off a couple of years. After finally installing a 9000lb rated Bendpak lift, it didn't take long before I wished that I had done it sooner. I've done so many oil changes, brake jobs, ball joint repairs, suspension mods, exhaust work, inspections, short shifter installs, etc... for myself, family and friends it's paid for itself many times over.
Like you said, just be careful. BTW, the lift has been flawless, never had an issue in over ten years.

 

[tarhoosier]

I have a neighbor with two antique English sports cars and he put one in his garage. He had the door company install a gear drive for the door that mounts at the wall closest to the door opening. This allows removal of the overhead operation. Then they added track and re-routed door tracks to pull door up much closer to the ceiling. He can put one car up high enough to work on wheels/brakes while standing. He parks one of his babies under the other. There are movable drip trays under the top rack to protect the lower car. New electric service was necessary for this. No anchoring in the garage floor for him. With four lift posts properly positioned and floor level and solid the weight of the machinery prevents any movement or twisting. His has physical locks, rods to place in the lift posts in case of slipping so that upper cannot drop unexpectedly. His garage looks like an auto parts store.

 

[rmod]

Ok, so I splurged some. Some will say it’s an overkill, but for those while truly like to get under their car and do your own work, installing my own lift made sense for me. I have two cars plus the wife’s and two college aged kids driving seems I’m always working on something. Oil changes are really nice. No longer dragging out the jack, jack stands or ramps. My garage ceiling limits how high I can lift, but 30+ inches is plenty for me. I can get my Miata up to 36 inches or so. Removing mower blades for sharpening the riding mower is a snap too. This pic only has my G70 about 20 inches up which allowed me to get the oil drain canister rolled in place. Was still doing some testing and monitoring bolt torq on the concrete inserts holding the columns in place. Taking some of this slow just to be cautious and double check everything since it’s my axx under the vehicle.

Congratulations! That looks good.
I bought QuickJack when it was on sale in Costco.

 

[joschneider]

so cool!

 

[canucklehead604]

freaking sweet. i'd give my left lug nut for a lift. it'd make a lot of things not only less painful, but actually enjoyable. i'd be throwing the G70 up on the lift just for shiggles and gits.

 

[canucklehead604]

Congratulations! That looks good.
I bought QuickJack when it was on sale in Costco.

^ which quickjack model did you go with? the 5000SLX or EXT? i've been thinking of going that route. simple setup, no need for fixed anchorage into concrete so nothing is in the way when you don't need the lift.

edit: just noticed the QuickJack 7000SLX on sale at Costco.ca for $1299 CAD including blocking accessories. pretty good deal for an overkill lift.

https://www.costco.ca/quickjack-bl-7000slx-3182-kg-(7000-lb.)-portable-car-lifting-system.product.100485193.html

 

[sethsquire]

Very nice! When I actually have a garage one day I'd love to put a lift in, not just for tinkering but (assuming the ceiling is high enough) so that I can fit an extra car in there. I have a vision where I can store my fantasy porsche on top of or underneath my daily driver.

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[rmod]

^ which quickjack model did you go with? the 5000SLX or EXT? i've been thinking of going that route. simple setup, no need for fixed anchorage into concrete so nothing is in the way when you don't need the lift.

edit: just noticed the QuickJack 7000SLX on sale at Costco.ca for $1299 CAD including blocking accessories. pretty good deal for an overkill lift.

https://www.costco.ca/quickjack-bl-7000slx-3182-kg-(7000-lb.)-portable-car-lifting-system.product.100485193.html

That is exactly what I picked up (7000SLX) at the same price as you mentioned.
I was scoping out a 5000SLX, but this one from Costco was cheaper and delivered free to the door. So I went with it.
The jacks are a little heavy compared to the 5000 but I figured that they will come in handy if I get a heavier vehicle in the future.

The SLX falls short by about 1.5 to 2 inches from the jack points on either side on the G70, but fits perfect on our other smaller car.

This is anyday better than jacking up each side to place jackstands and wondering if the twist will cause any damage. Tire rotations are also a breeze.

 

[scottdk]

Nice setup! I have a 4 post lift for my car work and storage in the winter, no more laying on my back!

 

[tarhoosier]

This is quite similar to the setup in the garage of my neighbor I mentioned above.

 

[pulsar]

Very nice! When I actually have a garage one day I'd love to put a lift in, not just for tinkering but (assuming the ceiling is high enough) so that I can fit an extra car in there. I have a vision where I can store my fantasy porsche on top of or underneath my daily driver.

Had I thought far enough ahead when I had my house built I would have had the garage redesigned to maybe give up some attic space but push the ceiling up another 5ft on one bay for having a 4 post system that can do double duty you can store a car on would have been really sweet. Would not have figured I’d fill up a 3 car garage as easily as I did, but I managed to.

 

[sethsquire]

Had I thought far enough ahead when I had my house built I would have had the garage redesigned to maybe give up some attic space but push the ceiling up another 5ft on one bay for having a 4 post system that can do double duty you can store a car on would have been really sweet. Would not have figured I’d fill up a 3 car garage as easily as I did, but I managed to.

Wow I really need to move out of the city one day, so many possibilities...

 

[TO Genesis]

Wow I really need to move out of the city one day, so many possibilities...

I hear you. My single car garage is full of "stuff" and my cars live in the driveway. People lived smaller 70 years ago when the house was built.

 

[sethsquire]

I hear you. My single car garage is full of "stuff" and my cars live in the driveway. People lived smaller 70 years ago when the house was built.

Breaks my heart when I see garages full of stuff and not cars.

 

[Slip_Angle]

Ok, so I splurged some. Some will say it’s an overkill, but for those while truly like to get under their car and do your own work, installing my own lift made sense for me. I have two cars plus the wife’s and two college aged kids driving seems I’m always working on something. Oil changes are really nice. No longer dragging out the jack, jack stands or ramps. My garage ceiling limits how high I can lift, but 30+ inches is plenty for me. I can get my Miata up to 36 inches or so. Removing mower blades for sharpening the riding mower is a snap too. This pic only has my G70 about 20 inches up which allowed me to get the oil drain canister rolled in place. Was still doing some testing and monitoring bolt torq on the concrete inserts holding the columns in place. Taking some of this slow just to be cautious and double check everything since it’s my axx under the vehicle.

Now that you've had it for awhile, can you provide some feedback?

 

[pulsar]

Now that you've had it for awhile, can you provide some feedback?

I’ve used it on all four cars in my household. A Civic, Miata, CX9 and the G70. Also my zero turn mower to replace blades. Makes that a snap. No issues whatsoever with functionality. With the lift arms opened up fully does not interfere with normal usage of my garage. Since the post are made for easy moving, I could unbolt and wheel a post out of the way in 5 minutes. This lift is made for the DIY person so installation was pretty straightforward. Making sure you miss any rebar or post tension cables in the foundation is the main thing. Anyone who thinks about getting the Maxjax I can certainly provide some installation pointers too.

 

[Slip_Angle]

I’ve used it on all four cars in my household. A Civic, Miata, CX9 and the G70. Also my zero turn mower to replace blades. Makes that a snap. No issues whatsoever with functionality. With the lift arms opened up fully does not interfere with normal usage of my garage. Since the post are made for easy moving, I could unbolt and wheel a post out of the way in 5 minutes. This lift is made for the DIY person so installation was pretty straightforward. Making sure you miss any rebar or post tension cables in the foundation is the main thing. Anyone who thinks about getting the Maxjax I can certainly provide some installation pointers too.

Does it require 4" thick concrete? I have no idea how thick mine is but I'm guessing it's less than 4...