Garage Vehicle lift

[Mace Canute]

Nope. Just pointing out a downside to a scissor lift (or a pit): you can't use it for work that requires removing the wheels. Tires, brakes, and a few other things are just not an option with something that lifts from the rubber rather than the chassis.

Bull! You can easily do all of those. Want to work on the rear end of a RWD? Put a jackstand under the differential and lower the whole hoist. The front? Use a small jack to raise the control arm. If you think it can't be done, perhaps you should inform a friend of mine who uses one in his garage to do all the "impossible" things you mentioned, I'm sure he would be tickled to know he is doing what can't be done!

 

[ecruzin]

I would concentrate on being able to lift the Silverado. Anything you choose will be able to lift the cars. If the truck is an extended cab or dually, it may not fit on a four post or scissors lift. An asymetrical is a better choice for the truck because of the lift arm lengths and weight distribution. The bulk of the weight is on the front of the truck, which would be closer to the lift posts when raised.
On a symetrical lift, the truck is unstable because the majority of the weight is forward of the posts.
I had a Rotary 10,000lb asymetrical installed last year. If I remember correctly, the floor had to be 4 inches thick minimum and no cracks in the floor within 18 inches of the mounting plates.
If a 4 post or scissors type fits your needs, I would look at a lift that has rolling jacks in the center. That way you can easily raise the vehicle off the ramps and remove the wheels.
Check out Tire Tools, Supplies and Changers from Myers Tire Supply and scroll down to the lift section to get some ideas of what is available.
Do you have 220 volt electrical service available? If not, that may limit you options also.

 

[johnecash]

Bull! You can easily do all of those. Want to work on the rear end of a RWD? Put a jackstand under the differential and lower the whole hoist. The front? Use a small jack to raise the control arm. If you think it can't be done, perhaps you should inform a friend of mine who uses one in his garage to do all the "impossible" things you mentioned, I'm sure he would be tickled to know he is doing what can't be done!

I thought that buying and installing a lift was to get away from having to use a jack:confused2:

-J.C.

 

[two_bit_score]

I thought that buying and installing a lift was to get away from having to use a jack:confused2:

-J.C.

He must not realize that while it can be done it may not be the best way.

 

[Mace Canute]

The stability of driving on the lift far out weights having it hanging in the air on four little pads that the vehicle might slip off of. Do a search for cars falling off hoists and you will find lots that have fallen off the two post lifts. The only time they could fall off a drive on ramp (scissors lift) is if the driver missed the ramp totally when driving on initially...and that's not really falling off!

I get the feeling those who argue against a scissors lift have never seen one used, let alone used one themselves. A vehicle on them is extremely stable, a not inconsequential attribute, and you never have to worry about getting a pad in the exact correct lift point. That's not an inconsequential point either.

 

[LetsRoll]

The stability of driving on the lift far out weights having it hanging in the air on four little pads that the vehicle might slip off of. Do a search for cars falling off hoists and you will find lots that have fallen off the two post lifts. The only time they could fall off a drive on ramp (scissors lift) is if the driver missed the ramp totally when driving on initially...and that's not really falling off!

I get the feeling those who argue against a scissors lift have never seen one used, let alone used one themselves. A vehicle on them is extremely stable, a not inconsequential attribute, and you never have to worry about getting a pad in the exact correct lift point. That's not an inconsequential point either.

You must be a scissor lift salesman????

 

[LetsRoll]

Most dealerships in the automotive industry have the two post lifts. And for fluid changes, they have drive on lift. Just try getting insurance for a scissor lift. You might be able to get insurance for a scissor lift, but it is going to cost allot of money. My two post lift is covered under my home owners policy unless I start going commercial. Commercial meaning doing mechanic work on other peoples vehicles.

 

[slowzuki]

There are a few Canadian lift manufacturers, I can't think of the names right off but a relative has one made in Ontario.

Scissor lifts often have a couple of sliding lift pots to lift the front or rear for brake work or front end work. Many big shops have both types, the alignment guys work on the scissor lifts. They are a bit of a pain though.

Re slab thickness, it is really easy to cut the floor and excavate a patch to install thicker footings. If you have no infloor heat you can just diamond saw it, knock the chunk out and get to work. With infloor you have to chip it out slowly with a small electric jackhammer unless you very carefully documented the tube locations.

 

[Mace Canute]

You must be a scissor lift salesman????

No, just offered what I consider a better hoist consideration and the reasons I believe it is.

Most dealerships in the automotive industry have the two post lifts. And for fluid changes, they have drive on lift. Just try getting insurance for a scissor lift. You might be able to get insurance for a scissor lift, but it is going to cost allot of money. My two post lift is covered under my home owners policy unless I start going commercial. Commercial meaning doing mechanic work on other peoples vehicles.

Why would insurance for a scissors lift cost more or be hard to get compared to a two post lift?

 

[timswi]

I used an alignment rack at the car dealer a few times for general repairs ...It was a drive on type with 4 hydro point lifts built in for easy wheel removal..A nice feature, it did eat up a ton of real estate though.

Virtually every shop I've been to around here uses 2 post lifts..There are some floor lifts still in use (grandfathered at this point I believe.)