Two post lift

[Flyin6]

I think I am needing a lift.

I am tired of putting things on jack stands and crawling around on a creeper.

And with the slow recovery from the recent surgery, it would be so much easier to just get a good lift where I can raise the vehicle off the ground.

In light of the approaching suspension change on my Jeep Gladiator, a lift would be a game changer

[Flyin6]

The heaviest thing I will have to lift that I know about is the 2011 D-Max HD truck.

I weighed it once and it came in a bone-crushing 8,700 lbs! Everything else is a lot lighter.

You'd think that a 9K lift would do it, but you'd be wrong

All things being equal and if the weight was evenly distributed, then the 9K lift would just squeak by. But in the case of that Chevy almost 65% of its total weight is resting on the front wheels.

The lift has a max of 4,500 lbs. on the front arms and 4,500 lbs on the rear arms. My truck has more than 4,500 on the front, so that's what is driving the 10K number. Heck I'd go for a 12K lift but the price spirals up quickly

[Flyin6]

So after doing some shopping I seem to be falling on the Forward model F10

https://www.garageappeal.com/forward-lift-f10-10-000lb-ali-certified-two-post-lift/?attribute=undefined

The price is in there too. Speaking with a company that sells and installs them, I can buy that lift, delivered and installed for $4650. I think that is a pretty good price.

I think if I can actually get it to fit, I'll pick it up and have it installed in my home garage. The floor in there is 4,000 concrete with steel and 6" thick. This particular lift requires 6" of #3,000 concrete with steel or fiber, so it seems that if the ceiling height allows it to fit, I'll be a good candidate.

[wilsonphil]

https://rotarylift.com/

Highly recommend this company. 

[Flyin6]

https://rotarylift.com/

Highly recommend this company. 

https://rotarylift.com/

Highly recommend this company. 

Just checked them out
and
guess what
The Forward brand is built by Rotary in the same CHINESE factory as the Rotary lifts are built.
Rotary costs a lot more
And
Had some time to check out this forward unit some more. Nothing but glowing comments for it. Seems like a no-brainer.

[stlaser]

My lifts are Bendpak, 2 post is 10K asymmetrical

[Flyin6]

The decision is made.

I met with Johnathan who owns MidWest supply. They are a part of a much larger industrial equipment supplier. He looked over my garage and felt the F10 would fit and work well in there. He said he buys these things by the container.

We agreed on a price and he is now arranging delivery and installation.

I will have to run a 10-2 cable to the approximate location for the post, but other than that, all I have to do, in the words of many of you, STROKE THE CHECK.

[Nate]

Why not a 4 post?

[stlaser]

Why not a 4 post?

2 post is more versatile for axle and suspension work. 4 post is for polishing your tool and doing oil changes or storing your tool.

[oklawall]

Sorry had connection problems yesterday so I'm late for the party. I would have suggested that you ask about a returned/repo lift. Many years ago I had a part time job at a supply house and they had several that got installed and shortly after they saw they needed a larger one or the shop couldn't pay for it/went out of business shortly after install. We sold them for about half price. They also had a bunch of other automotive /shop tools

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[Flyin6]

Why not a 4 post?

I would have to jack up the vehicle on the lift to pull the tires/suspension.

Next, you have to work all around those ramps which makes it difficult getting to things.

Now for storage or just doing transmission work or changing fluids, yes...

[Flyin6]

Sorry had connection problems yesterday so I'm late for the party. I would have suggested that you ask about a returned/repo lift. Many years ago I had a part time job at a supply house and they had several that got installed and shortly after they saw they needed a larger one or the shop couldn't pay for it/went out of business shortly after install. We sold them for about half price. They also had a bunch of other automotive /shop tools

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Never thought to ask, frankly...

Johnathan says he had a bunch of cheapo Chinese lifts but they were nothing but scrap metal. He told me about one customer who called him around Christmas. The guy owned a cheap Chinese copy. This person had raised his truck on the lift to change the oil, then on the way up, the pulleys tore off that top beam. Johnathan said the steel those pulleys were mounted to was only like 11 gage! He couldn't do anything, and eventually, they had to get a big forklift in to get the truck down. Those units are sold around here for around $3500 installed and do not last.

[Farmer Jon]

We got one of these. Pricy but each post lifts 12,000 lbs. Can get the attachments to take ford truck bodies off.  The smallest thing we had up there was the skid loader. bad thing is it picks up on the tire, so we had to get some massive jack stands if you need to take the tire off.

[Flyin6]

That's huge!

Mine will be pretty simple. Should be installed in a couple of days' time

[JR]

Think a 10k will do you fine. And I agree on a 2 post for the above reasons. Be sure to get a stand or 2 for support once up.

I got a used Rotary on FB, still was 2k. Long as you don't get cheap steel and have the upper crossover. Got a killer deal on a tranny jack for just $100 at a summit clearance sale. Guess I need a shop floor now.

[Flyin6]

Think a 10k will do you fine. And I agree on a 2 post for the above reasons. Be sure to get a stand or 2 for support once up.

I got a used Rotary on FB, still was 2k. Long as you don't get cheap steel and have the upper crossover. Got a killer deal on a tranny jack for just $100 at a summit clearance sale. Guess I need a shop floor now.

Yea, I'm going to be looking for some tall jack stands. (Do they call them jack stands when they are five feet tall?

[JR]

Not sure, but they are a huge safety item.

[Bigdave_185]

Funny you all say 10k lift

We have a two post 10k lift at the shop and it won’t lift anything larger then a 1/2ton pickup.  I tried to lift my 17’ with it and couldn’t even get the back tires off the ground, we have tired dodge Cummins, Ford powerstrokes.  No go on anything.

We use it to service our little run around people movers.  Equinox, carola, and some little mini van.  Otherwise it’s in the way and needs tossed

I’ll look what brand it is


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[JR]

What brand is it? Mybe the pump or bypass is bad?

[KensAuto]

You'd be surprised how much a 9k lift will raise.
I routinely have 12-14k service trucks on a no-name Chinese lift. They wobble a bit but no biggie. After 15+ years the plastic guides are worn or completely missing.

What's this safety jacks idea JR? Never heard of it

But seriously, I don't recommend using support jacks. Several scenarios where it's more dangerous to use them.

Oh, and pretty sure they're all China, just levels of quality very. Bendpac is one of the best cheaper lines imo.

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[JR]

Ken, I just see everyone using em. I understand why but no expert. Figure with all that stuff way out there, why not?

[Flyin6]

I'm talking about these:

[KensAuto]

Those are for supporting items you're working on, like transmission mounts, installing shocks, etc . Very useful, just not for supporting the vehicle, imo. That's what the safety locks are for.

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[JR]

Thought those were the supports? You not holding the vehicle up at all, just keeping the long hanging end (usually bed) from rocking.

You will need work jacks/supports too.

[Flyin6]

Had to postpone the installation, because something came up.

I'll get back to this in a while I hope...

[dave945]

That sounds ominous. I hope everything is okay , Chief


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[Flyin6]

That sounds ominous. I hope everything is okay , Chief


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Issues you may understand...nuff said

[dave945]

Gotcha, shout if you need anything


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