Car lift
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Posted: February 16 2007 03:20 PM
 
Denny Finch (aka 5WCoupe) [ View ] [ dfinch2@neo.rr.com ] [ Car Ads ] [ Blogs ]
Atwater, Ohio
(330) 935-2601
 
I have been a member for 3 years or so but normally lurk and add a bit of insight when I can. This time though, I am seeking input from my fellow enthusists about car lifts. As I am contemplating dropping the tranny on the Coupe and I am thinking now would be a good time to make the jump to a lift. I have limited space and 8 foot ceilings so I'm looking for something that would put me up high enough to work comfortably. Last months issue of Streetrodder had an add about Kwiklift that sounded like what I may be interested in. I'm not looking to spend thousands of dollars but this thing is about a grand and it may be within the budget. Do any of you guys have experience with the Kwiklift? You can take a look at it on their web site, Kwiklift.com. Also, I may be interested in buying a used one. Thanks for any input you'all may be able to provide.
 
 
Comments
 
Posted by bigdude  -  02/16/2007 04:16 PM
Do a search on our site its been talked about alot.
resident know it all [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Three Rivers, Michigan Charter Member since January 2004
 
Posted by da34guy  -  02/16/2007 04:32 PM
With a Quiklift your only raising the car about 18 inches, still workin on your back. Had 1 in my bodyshop for years and only ever used it for colorsanding and buffing, beyond that they're useless. Maybe changing oil they'er o.k. With an 8 ft ceiling your kinda limited, but I have seen some small lifts that may work, just don't know who make them. Good luck.
Don [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Prescott, Arizona Charter Member since October 2001
 
Posted by PHATN40  -  02/16/2007 04:51 PM
I have a 2-post lift and a 9 foot ceiling. I have a small box made that I scoot around on and can do minor repairs on my street rods, 55, and Chevelle. I can stand up enough under my Vette to do most work but it isn't very comfortable. Even with all these drawbacks it is far safer and better than jack stands. I have a friend with a Quiklift and like da34guy said, he only uses it to change oil. Good luck.
PHATN40 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Quincy, Illinois Charter Member since July 2004
 
Posted by BigAlBre  -  08/06/2007 10:37 AM
Check out Backyard Buddy on this site... tell em we sent ya!!
Big Al sittin back pickin & grinning in paradise. [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Saint Petersburg Beach, Florida Charter Member since June 1999
 
Posted by 5WCoupe  -  02/17/2007 10:43 AM
Some of you guys are missing the point. The Backyard Buddy is a 4 Post lift, costs 3 times what a Kwiklift costs, requires 4 reinforced concrete pads, is hard to store when not using it, and is designed for high ceilings allowing you to stand under the vehicle. As I mentioned, I only have 8 foot ceilings. I am not looking for a full heigth lift and I am not too old or fat to use a creeper. I am looking for something better and safer than jack stands. True, with 8 foot ceilings, the 4 post lift would put the vehicle a little higher but what's the use? it would be harder working with the vehicle 4 feet off the ground (on your knees) than it would be working on a creeper. I have read several posts where guys have used the Kwiklift to drop tranny's, oil pans and easily do exhaust work. And with the optional Center Bridge, it seems very easy to raise the vehicle to remove the wheels.
5WCoupe [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Atwater, Ohio
 
Posted by tlp1968  -  02/17/2007 11:40 AM
I would like to hear more about the safety issues with moveable lifts like that, Seems like folks go with the 4 post type for safety as much as space and convenience. However, our shop is also height challenged and this is probably a solution for folks working with shorter shops. I will contact a few companies and see if they want to join our discussion and give us the facts and features ....you know we are always interested in the very best solutions for ALL of you.
StreetRodding.com Marketing Director [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Springfield, Illinois Charter Member since August 2003
 
Posted by robymarks  -  02/17/2007 07:50 PM
I have a Kwiklift. With 8' ceilings to say you are limited is an understatment. This lift will raise the car about 2 feet to the bottom of the tires. You can move from one end to the other with no resrictions. There is nothing in your way. It is so much safer than Jack Stands. It is great for a Tranny or even a motor pull. Mine is on the optional rollers. You can put the car up and move it around the garage and could even slide it against a wall if you so desired and had the room. Laying on a creeper with an adjustable headrest makes it a comfortable reach for oil pans, starters, oil change, drive shaft. rear end, etc. The optional bridge (which I can't see as optional) allows you to remove the wheels and makes brake and wheel work at a great height. They are available in the raw or your choice of colors in powder coat. Contact Danny at Kwiklift. Great Guy who can answer any other concerns. He may even have a used one. If you buy any Kwiklift and later have the room for a regular lift, you can trade it or sell it back to Kwiklift. They sell full size lifts,although right now I can't remember which one, it is the better American made lift. Good Luck
robymarks [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Houston, Texas Charter Member since October 2005
 
Posted by mgrody  -  02/17/2007 12:23 PM
Ditto robymarks!


It's already been established that I'm an amateur without a clue, but here's my two cents: I used to have a shop with an old center post lift that needed to be up about 5 ft up to set the safety post. That's not a comfortable height to work from plus the post was always in the way. On a Kwiklift all the components (except the tires) are about 30 inches off the floor, which is about ideal for working from a creeper with a headrest. Off hand, I cant't think of anything that's done on a lift that can't be done just as easily on a Kwiklift.
mgrody [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Louisville, Kentucky
 
Posted by BigAlBre  -  02/17/2007 11:45 PM
My friend John T use to have a KwikLift in his shop with the rollers and the bridge... I for one thought it was great... the legs are at an angle so the weight of the car prevents them from folding... personally I think it's very safe... a couple of features... wheels to roll it around (optional) .... a bridge or two for bottle jacks to lift the car.... you can collapse it and park the car on it when not in use... and you can disassemble it and put it away if you want... I've ask Tammy to contact Danny at Kwiklift to get his input!! Rolling around under the lift is easy.... you clear the lift under the front and the sides...you can see from Danny's arms that he could reach anything under that MG...
Big Al sittin back pickin & grinning in paradise. [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Saint Petersburg Beach, Florida Charter Member since June 1999
 
Posted by 5WCoupe  -  02/17/2007 04:16 PM
Now were rolling. This thread is starting to take off. As the originator of the thread, I thank you guys for your input. The more I read, the more I am leaning toward the Kwiklift. Don't get me wrong, the 2 or 4 post lift is probably a much better choice for someone with a professional or semi professional shop. However, I am not one of those folks and never will be. I have one streetrod in it's own dedicated single car garage with 8 foot ceilings and I do not plan to build a bigger facility. I may work under the car 3 or 4 times a year doing such things as transmission, oil pan, drive line, exhaust, and detailing. I believe this lift was designed with rodders like me in mind. I think I'll take robymark's suggestion and contact Danny at KL. I never thought about him having a used one but that would be great. If not, maybe I can make a deal on a new one. Idealily, I would be able to find someone in my area that had one for sale. I would be willing to pick it up in the Tri State Area of PA, Ohio, West Virginia.
5WCoupe [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Atwater, Ohio
 
Posted by robymarks  -  02/17/2007 07:52 PM
Those pictures that Al posted are from the Kwiklift site I think. In fact that is Danny under the MG. I really think this is what your looking for 5WCoupe.
robymarks [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Houston, Texas Charter Member since October 2005
 
Posted by moon29  -  02/17/2007 10:50 PM
My 39 Chevy is on my KWIK LIFT now, been working under it all winter, installing an E BRAKE, etc. I can sit cross legged under it, hit my head on the driveshaft at times, but I also have 8 foot ceiling and felt the KWIK LIFT was the only one I could use. I got the powder coated one and total to get it to my house was $1600. $50.00 of that was for a rollback to bring it to my house. It comes on 2 skids fastened together and weighs 600 pounds. I had it shipped to a business first.
moon29 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Yorktown, Indiana
 
Posted by TxLumpy  -  02/17/2007 11:59 PM
Hey Robymarks, I hope you don't do much night driving.
Carl M. Johnson [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Conroe, Texas
 
Posted by 54ranchwagonguy  -  02/18/2007 12:47 AM
I have a KWIK LIFT and think its great for all the reasons already listed. Unfortunatly I didn't buy it until after my car fell on me, fortunatly I was still able to buy one-- if you know what I mean!! I'm a big guy and can roll under it with no problem. I have very little experiance working off a hydraulic lift but I didn't think everything was at the perfect heigth on that lift either. I'm sure it's what you get used to but space is a huge consideration. I leave it set up and park on it every day with the front legs up. I also have a couple of bridges which I agree really aren't an option. I move mine around on Harbor Fright furniture dolleys. If I was doing it again I would have bought it 30 years sooner (LOL) and I really think the extra money for the 7000 lb model would be worth it---- then I could put anything on it.
54ranchwagonguy [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Albuquerque, New Mexico
 
Posted by bohlsd  -  02/18/2007 01:27 AM
I also have a shop with an 8 ft. ceiling and have thought a lot about a KWIK LIFT. My main concern is how to easily get a non running car up on it. Do any of you with a KWIK LIFT have a clever or easy solution to this?
bohlsd [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Manchaca, Texas Charter Member since May 2005
 
Posted by 54ranchwagonguy  -  02/18/2007 08:28 AM
Years ago I had to deal with this problem just to get up the driveway. I have done it 3 different ways. All of them require a "VERY SOLID" anchor point to the floor at the front of thr garage. The first was a cable type come-along. The second was a hand wench like the type used on the front of boat trailers. The third is an electric wench. For insurance have someone in the car to apply the brake if there is a problem. The electric wench works great for the KWIK LIFT. Be careful.
54ranchwagonguy [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Albuquerque, New Mexico
 
Posted by robymarks  -  02/18/2007 09:56 AM
I guess I should have construction tape around the car! I do look forward to the day all is finished. Check this one out, No place to sit!
robymarks [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Houston, Texas Charter Member since October 2005
 
Posted by tlp1968  -  02/20/2007 11:34 AM
I think we have all had cars like that....I remember moving mine while sitting on a crate.
StreetRodding.com Marketing Director [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Springfield, Illinois Charter Member since August 2003
 
Posted by hotrodgene  -  07/02/2007 08:53 PM
I have a Kwik Lift and I use it all the time and by that I mean I park my car on it .When not needed for repairs I just lower the back end and drive my car on and off.Keep in mind most of us dont use our cars everday.If I had it to do over I would buy a Kwik Lift with limited space(ceiling)
Gene Riffe [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Saint Petersburg, Florida
 
Posted by RiverRat  -  07/02/2007 11:48 PM
I purchased a Kwik Lift from Danny at the Springfield, Mo. Nats. this year. I am very pleased with it. Sure beats those jack stands.
RiverRat [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Leadwood, Missouri
 
Posted by orphans2  -  07/03/2007 10:44 AM
One friend had a Kwik lift but got rid of it to get a heavy duty (12M#) two post lift. He liked the Kwik lift but his center bridge buckled when jacking his 50's lead sled. Another friend uses a hydraulic scissors type lift that gets his car up about 4 feet from the ground. He bought it for $500 from a guy who was closing his shop. I currenly don't have a lift, but may invest in a Kwik lift due to limited ceiling heiight. If I had to do it all over again, I would build a taller garage, with at least a 12 foot ceiling. I would like the option to stand under the vehicle without stooping.
orphans2 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Stewartstown, Pennsylvannia Charter Member since November 2001
 
Posted by dixie  -  07/03/2007 11:38 PM
I like the kl its easier to sleep underOrphan Billy has still got the old KL that ED had right,never heard any complaints about it.
jim grace [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] dade city, Florida Charter Member since January 2006
 
Posted by flyingb  -  07/04/2007 09:05 AM
Question was ask about getting a non running care on a quick lift.

Electric winch. I have been using a electric winch from Harbour freight for several years to put cars on my trailor that have on power. Price is under $60 and works great. In fact building my 51 Ford coupe I had to move the car on the trailer. Hooks up to trailer ball or studs. Has remote and is portable.
flyingb [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] harrogate, Tennessee
 
Posted by orphans2  -  07/04/2007 06:35 PM
Dixie, yeah Ed's Kwik Lift was pretty nice until he just had to have that 4 post behemoth he has now. He really didn't need it, although it does hold up Shawn's VW nicely. ;-)


And you are also right about being easy to sleep under. Sit the car just right and it is possible that the little woman may not even see you sleeping there. ;-)
orphans2 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Stewartstown, Pennsylvannia Charter Member since November 2001
 
Posted by okey4001  -  08/05/2007 06:06 PM
I have a friend that has a KL and since he uses it in the shop only, he went to harbor frieght and bought a 110 volt winch and made a quick connecton the lift so he can put it on and take itoff to get it out of the way. being attached to the lift, no anchor problem.
Bob [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Copan, Oklahoma Charter Member since April 2007
 
Posted by cutitup  -  08/06/2007 06:25 AM
i had a kl i had to buy a jack that would jack it up high enough to get the legs down after mkt dont jack high enough very hard to put togeather buy yourself very hard to get a car on if you cant drive on there find if you dont have to move it and the car runs there nothing to block the wheels just do your home work before you buy
cutitup [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] lincoln, Delaware
 
Posted by awsum34  -  08/06/2007 07:56 AM
Since it's still summer and most cites have car shows and cruise nights. Try going to some and ask some people with cars what they have and if you can come over and look at it. They can show you the pro's and con's.
awsum34 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Overland Park, Kansas
 
Posted by Eliot Ness  -  08/08/2007 12:43 PM
Their (Kwik Lift) web-site has a list of the shows they are attending and they usually offer a few $$$ off if you order one there. You'll need some way to get it from the freight facility in your area, but they say a pick up truck works fine. I've considered one of these for several years but just haven't bit the bullet on one yet.

I've gotten under a car with a creeper at a couple of shows and was pretty impressed with how well it worked. Sure, I'd much rather have a four post lift, but my garage ceiling at 8' makes that a non-issue.

Each time I'm looking at one there are some rodders walking by saying how glad they are they finally bought one........ one of these days I'll have to pull the trigger and place an order.
John [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Lexington, Kentucky
 
Posted by phil42650  -  08/08/2007 02:56 PM
I recently purchased an 8000 lb 4 post lift from Greg Smith. It cost about $1800 and will lift over 7 ft. Greg Smith actually identified someone who would assemble it and deliver it for $800 well worth it since it weighs over a ton and comes in a compressed 12 ft bundle and the trucking company required me to get it off their truck and assemble it. it has really made working on my vehicles much easier and changing transmissions and under carriage hardware a snap. Check them out at gregsmith.com.
phil [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Huddleston, Virginia
 
Posted by 30 A pickup  -  08/08/2007 03:04 PM
I purchased a 2 post lift from Greg Smith 2 years ago. I love it. Makes working on the hot rod much easier!


Lynn
30 A pickup [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Cowpens, South Carolina
 
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