scissor lifts, how useful are they really? Options

[Brett W]

I also would like to see picks of the under engine clearance on the scissor lifts. Might not be a bad option. My 40x23 shop has a 10ft ceiling with room to extend the ceiling decking up another two feet over the lift legs. I can park 4 cars in the shop and still have plenty of room to work, but a 2 post lift would kill that. Yeah it would let me stack two cars, but I would lose the rest of the space. The buried scissor lift keeps the floor open and clear. That is pretty nice.

[race914]

I did my evaluations and ended up with a mid-rise lift from Greg Smith Quipment:

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?s=&...st&p=974120

Still have no regrets or issues with it.

[Elliot Cannon]

How about some pics of the underside of a 914 on these different lifts so the unlifted among us can see how the lift fits on the car, and what things you can get at, and what things you can't.

We were thinking of building the garagemahal this spring, but plans are on hold as the city if re-doing our street, and adding sidewalks on our side of the street, and we need to see how/where that all ends up so we can check setbacks and see where a detached garage can fit on the property. I was thinking 2 post with storage for another car below. If we don't build it, I'd like to put something in our attached 2 car garage, so something scissor and possible set into the floor would be better. That garage is tight already with our "stuff" and has a low ceiling, flat roof, so the extra height is a wasted feature.

If I want to work on the engine I position the car a little further aft on the lift. If I want to work on the front I'll position it further forward. To work under the engine I can position the car so the firewall is directly over the aft edge of the lift. You can position the arms further back if you worried about the car falling off. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
Raised to the full up postion, the wheels and suspension are about waiste high.

[URY914]

I guess it just depends.

[toon1]

This is like a 4 vs. 6 or carb vs FI thread.

*Some* 4 post lifts don't have enough room between the rails to drop a motor on a 914 (the tin is too wide to fit between the rails). Like mine.

Some do. The more expensive lifts have movable runners. Like Ferg's.

Anyone considering such a purchase should do their homework. 4 posts are so much easier to use. Just drive up on it, lift and go to work. Depends on your intended use though, just like computer OS's and carbs vs. 6 motors.

There's a carb vs. F.I. thread!!?? WOW!! where is it? I've been looking all over the place for one! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif)

[Valy]

So,

How useful are the 5-6 foot scissor lifts versus the standard 2 post lifts.?

I am about to buy a new one...they are the exact same price.
The two poster does add , well, two posts to my shop...good or bad has yet to be determined.

What are you views?

Rich

Looking into that myself right now (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
The scissors is just a bit portable (1000lbs) and has a ground clearance problem. You need to raise the car a bit to fit over the lift. You can see in most pictures that people installed rails to solve the clearance issue. I intend to have the lift in my normal parking spot so parking on the rails every day or moving the lift to the side might be difficult.

On the other side, the scissors are much more stable than 2 poles, especially the "portable 2 poles" like they sell at Costco for $2000. Just imagine how the center of gravity moves forward when you remove the engine. I'm a bit afraid that this miss-ballance may cause the poles and car to tilt forward and maybe fall off.

[scotty b]

2/4 post better for maintenance.

A scissor is probably the best way to even out a rusty and folding 914 ( or other ) chassis. The load of the car is spread out on the pads of the lift not the wheels which allows the ar to go back into it's natural relaxed state.

post lift provides more room for storing cars indoors

scissor loft is better for brake suspension and wheel work

Scissor lift is a bitch to roll dead cars over by yourself if they have a drivetrain in them. I know I do it almost daily. At home you can recess it as others have done

post lift requires a high ceiling

either will get a car high enough to mount on a rotisserie, but once mounted the scissor is still in the way


50/50

[scotty b]

My scissor lift mod. Makes the underside and engine bay completely accessible and car is uber stable.

[FlatIV]

My scissor lift mod. Makes the underside and engine bay completely accessible and car is uber stable.

Damn. Those are some rusty ass brakes. Whoever owns that car should be ashamed...

[scotty b]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[mepstein]

I did my evaluations and ended up with a mid-rise lift from Greg Smith Quipment:

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?s=&...st&p=974120

Still have no regrets or issues with it.

Their Delaware location is `10 miles from my house.
Total equipment lust!

[Mark Henry]

I did my evaluations and ended up with a mid-rise lift from Greg Smith Quipment:

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?s=&...st&p=974120

Still have no regrets or issues with it.

Their Delaware location is `10 miles from my house.
Total equipment lust!

If you have equipment lust that's OK but do I have to know this (IMG:style_emoticons/default/theexperience_hud.gif)

Maybe you should get the Doc to fix your tranny (IMG:style_emoticons/default/new_shocked.gif)

I know....(IMG:style_emoticons/default/clown2.gif)

[Series9]

I like my two-post:

[Dr Evil]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPhMTdQwiao


Scissoring leaves no real job for the man (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[rick 918-S]

Thought I posted in this thread... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif)

This is the one I need. Leaves the whole side open so I can roll my Celette under the car for mounting. This is the only kind I can use in my shop. A two post doesn't even work for me. I have in floor heat and can't drill holes for bolting a lift down.

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Master-S...tp-xl-spl-6.htm

[mgphoto]

I decided on the EZcarlift (see photo below), I have limited space in my garage and only work on my own cars. I need the portability. I considered the BendPak but moving it around would be difficult and delivery would be a nightmare, (requires a forklift).





Plenty of room between the lift supports.




Only difficulty I see is the 4 cyl motor mount bar needs to be removed before dropping the engine, (see image below).

[william1764]

I decided on the EZcarlift (see photo below), I have limited space in my garage and only work on my own cars. I need the portability. I considered the BendPak but moving it around would be difficult and delivery would be a nightmare, (requires a forklift).





Plenty of room between the lift supports.




Only difficulty I see is the 4 cyl motor mount bar needs to be removed before dropping the engine, (see image below).

i really like this - who makes it?

[rfuerst911sc]

Here's my recently installed scissor. One of the best tools I've ever purchased.

[ConeDodger]

I have a scissors lift which I got from Paul Sayegh and after me it will be going to McMark. It is great and while it is 'portable' portable means something different in a 2 car garage than it does in McMark's bigger shop... I will be going to a two post lift in the garage of our new house as I want to maximize space... The new garage is 40 feet deep on one side while the other is a normal garage space. With the two post, I can park one car under the other and still have space for the family truckster and my motorcycle and daily driver.

Meanwhile, McMark will merrily lift away at his shop and move it out of the way when he needs the floor space.

[Krieger]

I decided on the EZcarlift (see photo below), I have limited space in my garage and only work on my own cars. I need the portability. I considered the BendPak but moving it around would be difficult and delivery would be a nightmare, (requires a forklift).





Plenty of room between the lift supports.




Only difficulty I see is the 4 cyl motor mount bar needs to be removed before dropping the engine, (see image below).

I have the same lift for my 914. I use it turned 90* and roll it in from the side. That's how Boytchu Manov (not quite how to spell his name) reccomended it. No problem with engine removal this way. Check ezcarlift.com to find the product.