Need to build a small lift

[Rio_Grande]

I need to build a hydraulic lift capable of lifting the rear of a car about 3 feet in the air. I currently do this with a floor jack a cribbing. It can get a bit dicey as each vehicle is diffrent. I was thinking along the lines of a pair of scissors, well the cutting end at least. I need it to fold down to about4-6 inches when flat then open up to lift about 3 feet. I can make a gripping type pad to grab the under side of the body. The scisors would have to open wide end to the rear.

I have several ideas, but I figured any suggestions on this could only help me get it right the first time.

 

[Blagadan]

Floor jack and cribbing sounds good to me...

Unless you are very good at engineering, fabricating, welding, I would not go there. I would not trust a DIY car lift with my life.

Can you not buy something thats been certified? I'm sure Harbor freight or Northern tool or the likes have something you have described....

My 2c.

 

[toivo1037]

Watch the auctions around you. There are a lot of auto service stations going under/downsizing around us at least. We have seen the 2 post car lifts go for well under $1000 when the shop folds. May be an option for you.

If you still want ot design you own lift, maybe check out the atv listed in the Northern tool catalog.

 

[George2615]

Northern Tool has 2 air operated hydraulic jacks that will lift up to 33" and 35". One will lift 2500 lb. The other 3000 lb. Harbor Freight also sells one.

 

[patrick_g]

If I JUST HAD to have a DIY lift, I think I would make something to park the rear tires on with built in chocks. I would incorporate a hydraulic jack on the outside of each end of the apparatus. I could then jack each side alternately (unless I used an air operated jack) to get the height required. HF has long throw jacks that are air or lever operated. I would use a tripod arrangement to get stability.

I would definitely use jack stands under the axle on both sides as far outboard as they would fit.

Alternatively, if the work is to be done at the same location, so you don't need portability, I would consider ramps and or a pit. This would be way safer than jacking with a Rube Goldberg DIY arrangement. Concrete or steel ramps would not be very costly. Concrete would be trivial to build but not too portable. Steel could be trailered to a remote location if needed.

If you are not much of an engineer and or welder then you better opt for considerable overkill in the design to be on the safe side and consider bolt-up construction in place of welding if you aren't a good welder. If bolting, don't use the cheap "dead soft" bolts.

Pat

 

[TYMinColton]

I need to build a hydraulic lift capable of lifting the rear of a car about 3 feet in the air. I currently do this with a floor jack a cribbing. It can get a bit dicey as each vehicle is diffrent. I was thinking along the lines of a pair of scissors, well the cutting end at least. I need it to fold down to about4-6 inches when flat then open up to lift about 3 feet. I can make a gripping type pad to grab the under side of the body. The scisors would have to open wide end to the rear.

I have several ideas, but I figured any suggestions on this could only help me get it right the first time.

I've been thinking about coming up with something similar to help me split a tractor I've been working on, but I have to agree with the comments from these other fellas. Unless you really know what you're doing (i.e. welding, engineering, etc.), you're best to stick with old-fashioned floorjacks to lifet and large lumber cribbing to stabilize. Better safe than sorry. . .
Good luck!
Pete

 

[philbuilt]

I think my floor jack is just what you described. My father had this in his auto body shop.

This thing will lift the axle up about 3.5' it is an air cylinder with a built in rack lock. I don't know the brand but it's not home made.

 

[ray66v]

I think my floor jack is just what you described. My father had this in his auto body shop.
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This thing will lift the axle up about 3.5' it is an air cylinder with a built in rack lock. I don't know the brand but it's not home made.

They are called a mobile bay lift. Now obsolete, the most recent ones were made by Blackhawk. They are a very safe self locking jack. They will go higher than 3 1/2'. The newer ones will do almost 5'

They usually go $250-$500 used.

If you have 2, you can pick up both ends as long as the vehicle is not real heavy.

They work great with a straight axle. We stopped using them in the 80's because newer independent suspension systems do not work well with them.

I have the newer version, it has 2 cylinders and lifts a little higher.

 

[philbuilt]

I use it all the time and yes I feel safe. I made a cross arm with pads to lift from the frame. But I also chain to the frame as well.
Phil