Hi, all - been lurking for a bit as I'm helping an older friend of mine with a tractor project and been getting info we need. However, I'm trying to figure out how best to accomplish something and would like materials advice.
Recently, I came into possession of a mid-rise lift. Specifically this one:
While it has the weight capacity for the vehicles I want to lift with it, the lifting surfaces are too short for a couple vehicles to be lifted safely. Specifically, the lift deck is 53 inches long, while the car has jacking hardpoints that are 77 inches apart and there are no other closer points at which it can be lifted or supported without damaging it. These hard points have hard pads with locating pins that stick down below the rest of the vehicle; the pins are such that they will fit in a 1" hole. The car weighs about 4500 pounds.
What I want to do is make a pair of bars from square tube to place under the car longitudinally, such that the car can be safely lifted by the hoist's lifting surfaces. Something similar to these, which are made by liftbars.com for Porsches (they won't make custom stuff):
I propose to make them out of 2"x2" or 2"x3" (longer side parallel to the lifting surface) square steel tubing, but I'm uncertain what wall thickness to use to safely support the weight of the car without coming into contact outside of the four hardpoints. I have had some people tell me 1/4" wall tube is best, but I have had some people tell me 1/8" wall tube will work just fine in this application. Any opinions would be appreciated.
