Auto lift for low ceilings

82cruiser · 11-11-09, 08:31 AM

Hi - does anyone have any experience or opinions on this Danmar auto lift for garages with low ceilings? Danmar MaxJax Lift

KLF · 11-11-09, 10:36 AM

Hey Randy

Does the red car come with it?

Interesting idea, but I'm wondering about the maximum lift height of only 52". The frame on my pickup is already 23.5" above the floor, so in my case I'd only get about 28" of lift out of it before I'd be at the max height. That would be great for doing stuff like brakes and knuckle jobs, but not so much for working underneath, dropping a tranny, etc. Not sure it's worth the effort and expense.

82cruiser · 11-11-09, 12:25 PM

Heya Ken,

Regardless, I don't see you or me in a red 'vette

.

Good point on the lift height. It would be great for wheel swaps, brake work, tranny swaps, pulling body of frame, and getting under the rig on a rolling stool rather than a creeper. Might be worth it for someone that maintains multiple vehicles or is into a restoration.

firetruck41 · 11-12-09, 09:18 PM

There is a lot of info at The Garage Journal forums, the guys on there had a group buy of the first production run and a bunch of feedback.

zebrabeefj40 · 11-15-09, 11:38 PM

I'd save a grand and buy something like this lift:

Master Series XL-9BP Base Plate Two Post Lift - Greg Smith Equipment Sales, Inc

My uncle has a similar Rotary brand lift in his shop. Works well. Yes, the piece across the floor can sometimes be a PITA but we never let it stop us from getting stuff done. IMHO almost any lift is better than crawling around on the floor trying to work on a vehicle; even a 4 post drive on lift (my brother has one of those...).

Or buy a used Rotary, Mohawk, Bend Pack or other pro grade lift. There's usually several used lifts on Craigslist and Ebay...

Nick

LDowney · 11-16-09, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zebrabeefj40

I'd save a grand and buy something like this lift:

Master Series XL-9BP Base Plate Two Post Lift - Greg Smith Equipment Sales, Inc

My uncle has a similar Rotary brand lift in his shop. Works well. Yes, the piece across the floor can sometimes be a PITA but we never let it stop us from getting stuff done. IMHO almost any lift is better than crawling around on the floor trying to work on a vehicle; even a 4 post drive on lift (my brother has one of those...).

Or buy a used Rotary, Mohawk, Bend Pack or other pro grade lift. There's usually several used lifts on Craigslist and Ebay...

Nick

A friend just bought the PV10 model from Greg Smith
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-PV-10-p/tppro-pv10.htm
We installed it in his shop. This was bigger than what you are looking for, but they have prices marked down on all the models so the time may be right.

Also, self installation was not as big of a chore as you might think. Lifting the posts upright was the only real challenge (we used a winch rather than just should power as the instructions indicated).

Toyo FJ40 · 11-22-09, 07:30 AM

2X on Greg Smith Equipment. I got an Atlas Nine last year and I love it. Plus if you feel like a road trip to Delaware it will fit in a pickup and there is no sales tax in Delaware.

colangut · 11-29-09, 07:41 PM

Two ideas,

Get a 4 post lift with Casters. You can wheel it outside on nice days and use it inside as a low lift for days you can't work outside.

I used to have one and it was great.

2nd idea. Check out the AC jacks and jackstands that Pelican parts sell. Super high light jacks and very tall stands. Clearly not as convienent and not cheap, but cheaper than any lift.

steveyos · 12-06-09, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firetruck41

There is a lot of info at The Garage Journal forums, the guys on there had a group buy of the first production run and a bunch of feedback.

Thanks for the link to the The Garage forum

Waorani · 12-14-09, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDowney

A friend just bought the PV10 model from Greg Smith
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-PV-10-p/tppro-pv10.htm
We installed it in his shop. This was bigger than what you are looking for, but they have prices marked down on all the models so the time may be right.

I tentatively commited to pick up a PV10 next week at the Georgia store. They knocked off $100 for a cash sale (which covers most of sales tax). Any last minute negative comments before I pull the trigger on this?

Toyo FJ40 · 12-22-09, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waorani

I tentatively commited to pick up a PV10 next week at the Georgia store. They knocked off $100 for a cash sale (which covers most of sales tax). Any last minute negative comments before I pull the trigger on this?

Probably a little late on this but the only problem I had with my Atlas 9 was the directions. You level one side and bolt to the floor, then assemble the second post and cross member, plumb the second post and bolt to the floor. I bolted both posts to the floor first then assembled the cross member, it was 1/4 of an inch to close to fit so I had to elongate the holes on the crossbar to get it to fit.(they are already slots so I just made them longer)

LDowney · 12-22-09, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waorani

I tentatively commited to pick up a PV10 next week at the Georgia store. They knocked off $100 for a cash sale (which covers most of sales tax). Any last minute negative comments before I pull the trigger on this?

I am very late on spotting this and replying, but here goes ...

The lift went together very well. We printed the expanded installation instructions off the Greg Smith website and these were tremendous improvement over the instruction booklet. The only problem was the hose fitting in one hydraulic cylinder was cross-threaded. Greg Smith sent out a replacement cylinder that was delivered directly to my friend's home within 3 days. It was an inconvenience, but the support was great.

Sorry for the delay. I hope that you still find this useful.

vasellers · 12-30-09, 11:24 AM

Interested in the Atlas 9 but worried about having to get the thing out of the delivery truck, how difficult was this? I don't have a tractor and loader or forklift.

Toyo FJ40 · 12-30-09, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vasellers

Interested in the Atlas 9 but worried about having to get the thing out of the delivery truck, how difficult was this? I don't have a tractor and loader or forklift.

If you have a engine hoist you should be able to get it out. The engine hoist is good for helping you to stand up the posts too.

vasellers · 12-31-09, 06:24 AM

Oh great idea, why didn't I think of that!! I just want to get it out of the truck and on the ground, could take it apart and move the pieces. To stand up the posts, hook the hoist to the very end of the post and lift as far as possible?

Toyo FJ40 · 01-01-10, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vasellers

Oh great idea, why didn't I think of that!! I just want to get it out of the truck and on the ground, could take it apart and move the pieces. To stand up the posts, hook the hoist to the very end of the post and lift as far as possible?

You have to strap (so you don't scratch your new hoist) the hoist at about the balance point, then you can lift it while someone stands on the bottom till its close to upright. Chances are unless you have a ceiling lift your engine hoist won't be tall enough to lift it from the end.

vasellers · 01-06-10, 03:46 PM

How do you get the thing out of the delivery truck?

Toyo FJ40 · 01-08-10, 08:42 PM

I lifted one end with an engine hoist then dragged the lift out till the other end was on my tail gate. Dropped the back end then lift the end still in the truck and pull the truck out. Once you get them unbolted from the shipping frame the pieces aren't too bad to move around.