Building a Garage Pit

[EddieWalker]

What do you guys use your lift for? I change my oil myself about twice a year on my truck, once a year on each of my tractors. I've never thought twice about laying a piece of cardboard down to lay on while draining the oil, then I'm done. What else do you do with your vehicles that you need to buy a lift?

 

[Parkanzky]

What do you guys use your lift for? I change my oil myself about twice a year on my truck, once a year on each of my tractors. I've never thought twice about laying a piece of cardboard down to lay on while draining the oil, then I'm done. What else do you do with your vehicles that you need to buy a lift?

I can't speak for anyone else, but the biggest advantage is that it allows me to park one more car in my garage in the winter.

However, any time you change fluids (oil/filter, gearbox, differential, coolant, blinker, etc) is way easier when you can walk under the car. Especially since more than half our cars have an undertray that covers the entire bottom and has to be removed to do any service. It comes in even handier when you do more significant work, like dropping a transmission or similar.

 

[oliver1555]

What do you guys use your lift for? I change my oil myself about twice a year on my truck, once a year on each of my tractors. I've never thought twice about laying a piece of cardboard down to lay on while draining the oil, then I'm done. What else do you do with your vehicles that you need to buy a lift?

I'm building a new shop and installing a lift. Although I have gotten by pretty well without one, I can think of many reasons to have one so I don't have to roll around on a creeper:
Rotating tires
Working on brakes
Oil changes
Painting frame - some people never do, but I hate to see a rusty frame, drive train, etc.
Installing/maintaining wiring to trailers
Clutch/drive line work
Basically, any reason to get under my vehicles. I enjoy this kind of work. Others, not so much.

 

[LD1]

No question a lift is nice. Especially when working on older stuff or exhaust work. Wrestling things around under there and constantly getting dirt/rust knocked all over you isnt fun. And doing exhaust work that requires welding....I'd rather be standing and welding over my head than laying on by back and welding overhead.

What do you guys use your lift for? I change my oil myself about twice a year on my truck, once a year on each of my tractors. I've never thought twice about laying a piece of cardboard down to lay on while draining the oil, then I'm done. What else do you do with your vehicles that you need to buy a lift?

You need to invest in a creeper:thumbsup: Light-years ahead of a piece of cardboard.

 

[EddieWalker]

I have 2 creepers, I just like the cardboard better. ☺

 

[Citydude]

I like the cardboard as well. My knees appreciate the cushion.

 

[jerrybob]

I use my buddy's lift often.....but you still need to be careful and make sure all is secure.

car falling off lift video - Bing video

 

[bdog]

I have four post lift and use it all the time. Makes everything easier from oil changes, to greasing, to welding on exhaust, running wires, etc. I put my trucks, skid steer, UTV's, etc on it and I have a rolling 20 gallon air powered oil drain can. Oil changes are a breeze.

 

[George2615]

What do you guys use your lift for? I change my oil myself about twice a year on my truck, once a year on each of my tractors. I've never thought twice about laying a piece of cardboard down to lay on while draining the oil, then I'm done. What else do you do with your vehicles that you need to buy a lift?

Pits are not permitted even in my rural area. I have a lift and use it regular. Oil changes on 5 vehicles, brake jobs, replacing shocks, tires (I have a tire changer and balancer), Transmissions, exhaust systems, suspension work, gas tank replacement, undercoating, etc. Mostly the same work that a regular shop does. I also do side work on vehicles for other people. As I got older I found it more and more difficult to work under a vehicle whether on cardboard or a creeper. A lift may not be something everyone needs but I have been a car guy all my life and enjoy working in my garage. It also saves me money by doing my own work over what a dealers garage would charge. Now that I've retired I spend most of my day in the garage.
For the OP I'd also recommend the low rise lift mentioned and the dangers of a pit also mentioned.

 

[newbury]

Has anyone "built" a raised platform for their vehicle using pallet racking?

I've got a lot of pallet racking with 8.5 foot beams that have capacities of 6,000 lbs. I can get beams with capacities of 12,000 lbs. I was thinking of using 2 or 3 sets (2 uprights and three pairs of beams) plus support to go between racks with a ramp to drive up/winch up a vehicle so it was about 4 or 5 feet off the ground and I could easily sit on a rolling stool or chair and work overhead.