PeterH Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 Getting older the prospect of lying on a cold garage floor gets less attractive. Does anyone have any experience of the various lifts/ stands etc to raise a car up higher than normal ramps - there are several diffent sorts listed on the internet. I can't afford a full 4-post garage lift and don't want to dig a pit in the floor. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 I got a set of 4 wheel pod s 5frt ramps and removeable centre bridge from these guys, seriously strong stuff. doesnt look like its avaiilable now but there.s a whole load of ramp idea's http://www.cjautosheywood.co.uk/ Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jondhm Posted August 23, 2014 Report Share Posted August 23, 2014 Peter, Where do you live? For the last few years I have used Pitstart Garage which is in Park Royal, North West London (NW10). They rent out their facilities so you can rent a 4 post lift by the hour. Not cheap, £30 per hour, but it includes the use of any of their tools etc you may require. I normally put my GT6 on one of their lifts each year so I can have a really good look underneath, check the gearbox and diff oil levels, and change fluids. I didn't use them when I changed the prop shaft because I was concerned I might get stuck or need something, and the hire charges are running. But I have found the other guys working there are happy to lend a hand. Most of them seem to be working on middle aged Mercs, which might say a lot about Mercs and their reliability, or about the people who live in NW10! Happy to give you more information if you wish. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterH Posted August 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 Thanks John Sounds like a good idea - unfortunately I live in Devon Pete I'd been looking at CJautos website when I posted my original enquiry. They certainly do have a range of lifts - I will probably go for the extending ramps - they seem reasonably priced and give the extra height. I'd like their hydraulic lift but difficult to justify £1500 for the use it would get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 had the full length CJ ramps/bridges for about ten years , certainly made from titanic specs, although makes them heavy to store ,they stand up in the garage if the length is reduced ( they exten to suit all wheel bases ) the height is the limiting factor in all these things wish mine 12 " ramps were 6 " higher. doing wax oil in vari focals at close quarters is a challenge. like a pit if too shallow you cant look up if too deep you cant reach , 4 posts are great but mechanicals are a bit laborious and if inside you need loads of head room or a lifting garage roof !!! the advantage of any ramp with a long lead (mine have a 5 ft lead in) is you get any car up easily no shunting the ramps along or having them shoot out . or spoiler fouling. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unkel Kunkel Posted August 24, 2014 Report Share Posted August 24, 2014 CJ Autos hydraulic ramps are excellent! Don't take up much storage space Easy drive on ( folded down height is very small - will clear spoilers etc) Pump up hydraulics, then lock hydraulic rams Much more access possible than ordinary( precarious) drive on ramps Above all feel reassuringly strong, stable secure and safe. Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mishmosh Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 If you have access to three phase, you can get some bargains on ebay. I am seriously tempted .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinR Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 Beware of Ebay "bargains". Often, they are anything but a bargain. Lots of the 4 post lifts on ebay are worn out and need lots of expensive new parts to make them serviceable again. They have usually being disposed of from garages, having been condemmed by the Insurance Inspector. It's usually cheaper for the garage to buy new than repair to the standard necessay to meet the inspection requirements. You wouldnt want one collapsing on you would you ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterH Posted August 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 I've found another company that has some interesting products. Their 'Portable Tilting Lift' looks identical to CJ's but £75 less. http://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-09011-portable-tilting-lift/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinR Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 I'm not convinced that the "Tilting Lift" is safe, or OK to use on a small chassis triumph. If I was in the market for a lift then first preference would be a four post lift, followed by one of the scissor lifts like this one http://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-5500-2-5-tonne-scissor-lift/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilJ1962 Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 There are plenty of lift option available online. I have a 3000Kg single phase two post lift which works for me. They are not expensive. www.equipment4garages.com BUT, apart from the obvious do I have space for one (height and width) remember you need to be able to get round the posts once they are installed, you will need a 30amp supply just to power a single phase lift, and a suitable concrete base (mine is 15cm thick reinforced - is was laid with a lift in mind as was the whole 7mx4m workshop. Personally, and having had the lift for 4 months now. I wouldn't be without one. It has made tasks such as swapping out a steering rack, replacing suspension bushes, and replacing front springs on a GT6 so easy. It also makes checking the underside and gearbox/diff fluid levels so an easy quick task. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mishmosh Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Great lift .price ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilJ1962 Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 £1800. I fitted the lift myself using a suitable sds drill borrowed from my local friendly builder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mishmosh Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 Sorely tempted. Time to convince the management. Whats its swl? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mishmosh Posted August 30, 2014 Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 Oops just reread. 3000 kg. may go for a four post as a two wont work on small tractors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterH Posted November 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2014 As an update. I've just bought a tilting scissor lift. I've had to go for the adjustable width version as as well as the Spitfire I have a classic Mini. I've not used it yet but it looks well made - the width adjustment is rather involved as it entails removing and bolting in different cross members and drive shaft connecting the two screw jacks. I bought from an e-bay trader as he had a good price and offered free carriage. I'm sure the unit is the same (probably far eastern) from all the suppliers. When I've actually tried it I will post further comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted December 17, 2017 Report Share Posted December 17, 2017 Old topic resurrection time again.... just bought a nice 2 -post lift for the garage; it looks the part and goes up and down very nicely EXCEPT the arms won't extend far enough to reach the chassis rails on the GT6 and I'm not risking lifting it on the outriggers. Moderns with jacking points, no problem, but the Triumphs are going to require a bit of head scratching. You don't realise how small they are until something like this happens.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveweblin Posted December 17, 2017 Report Share Posted December 17, 2017 We had a lift with swop-able arms at college - one set had sections that slide inside each other. Can you get different arms for your lift? Alternately some lifts have sets of shoes I think there are called that sit on the arms might that help? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted December 17, 2017 Report Share Posted December 17, 2017 The arms extend surprisingly far, but not to the points on the chassis which I want to use to lift the car - the front and rear outrigger mounting points, for example. The Herald chassis must be wider as I can reach suitable points which I'd be happy enough to use, but not the GT6 chassis. As I need to use the natural balance point of the car to spread the weight evenly it's closer to one set of arms than the other, so one pair is hardly extended whilst the others won't reach at all even on full extension. I'm going to look at making a form of C-section plate in heavy steel, that will fit across two of the lifting pads on opposite arms - it only needs to be about two feet wide at most, as it's C-section it won't slip off to the front or rear, and with suitably shaped hard rubber pads it will spread the load across the chassis and allow me to use slightly different lifting points. Off on the scrounge to the father-in-law's engineering works tomorrow I go.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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