Temporary car lift needed

[Cuthy246]

Yet again I find myself cursing my lack of a 2 or 4 post car lift. Need to do brake lines, fuel lines, degreasing and painting/undercoated. Anyone have ideas or experience with a DIY car lift/elevated platform? Need to lift it at least 1m off the ground (1.5 would be a dream) to give enough working room. Car has no front suspension or rear axle so wheel based lifting not an option. Have been looking at builders trestles as they look ideal but only rated for 450kg per pair at 1.2m centres. Heavy duty ones rated for 1 ton a piece are possibly an option but a bit spendy for something temporary. Another thought was scaffold or could go old school with cribbage but that's a bit bulky. Any suggestions welcome

 

[gaz1]

posted on the forums you can spin it

Mini spit……

Trawling through here last night I found a thread from way back from a user who seems no longer here. https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/my-wifes-mini-on-homemade-rotisserie.30514/ His spit was made following this site...

www.mig-welding.co.uk

 

[mr haynes]

Old mattress, tyres and a clothes pole

Wheely lie on bed thingy not an option?
Done lots under vehicles on stands that way including having a nap.....

 

[MetalMonkey]

Before I had a lift, if I needed the car up high I would crib it up a couple of foot on concrete blocks (proper ones not the mickey mouse thermalite stuff) with a block of wood on the top.
Don't think I would trust anything that could have any chance of folding up, no matter what the load rating is.

 

[Rrobson]

Scaffold would be plenty strong enough if you know what you’re doing. I’ve got a load of work to do underneath one of mine and that may be the route I take also.
I find the most difficult part of this type of activity is actually getting the vehicle up in the air safely and supporting it whilst you build / install whatever structure beneath. The only issue with smaller lifts and the likes is they restrict most of the centre of the vehicle. A scissor lift may be an option and you could always sell it once your finished.

I have manufactured trestles in the past for supporting a body when repairing the chassis of my 4x4, but that was far from ideal, and if I wasn’t confident of my welding skills or have decent material I’d have needed to find another way because it was a little sketchy even for me!

 

[eddie49]

I have a Hauberg Autolift that I keep going on about... some pictures here:

Hauberg Autolift Hydraulic Car Lift Hoist Ramp Portable Versatile Rare Item

motorcycledirtbike.com

It is a 1m scissor lift but it tilts as well, so one end of the car can be at head height ( especially if the other end has no wheels ). They do pop up on eBay at about £850.
This mobile lift presently on sale looks very well-engineered:

mobile car lift ramp | eBay

<p>mobile car lift / ramp. Mobilift, with the benefit of single phase electric lift, very quiet in operation, old but excellent build quality, designed to last with grease nipples on all pivot points, been stored 20 years, safety locks at 4 different heights. Adjustable deck width and 4 wheel...

www.ebay.co.uk

This one is solid but still looks scary to me:

240v 13a Portable car ramp lift 2 ton full height movable portable | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 240v 13a Portable car ramp lift 2 ton full height movable portable at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Erie Fred]

My friend has a portable 2 post, looks like a pair of heavy hand trucks.

https://www.northerntool.com/products/maxjax-two-post-lift-capacity-7000lb-max-rise-42ft-1-hp-model-5175548-5782620

 

[frank horton]

does this count....? n before u say anything I have 4 very tall adjustable axle stands........
Hoffman 2 poster still in storage......

Cuthy,,,,plenty of used 2 poster lift around.....this wont be ur only job....even if u have to move house to get one in....
the scissor types are for young dudes with no back probs......
if I cant stand under the job I wont do it now......
just had to pay a garage to replace my T4 clutch.....that hurt......hahaha.....

 

[Keithmac]

I used chassis trollies for mine and a home made lifting jig (throgh bumper fixings).

Not a meter high though!.

 

[Cuthy246]

posted on the forums you can spin it

Mini spit……

Trawling through here last night I found a thread from way back from a user who seems no longer here. https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/my-wifes-mini-on-homemade-rotisserie.30514/ His spit was made following this site...

www.mig-welding.co.uk

Thanks Gaz, had followed that thread unfortunately the way the frame of the car goes at the back there is not much to attach a spit to so this won't work

 

[Cuthy246]

Old mattress, tyres and a clothes pole

Wheely lie on bed thingy not an option?
Done lots under vehicles on stands that way including having a nap.....

Have a car creeper which is fine for general maintenance but given how much needs doing it will go much easier with a bit more access. Also planning on pressure washing the underside which might get a bit soggy on stands and a creeper

 

[Cuthy246]

Before I had a lift, if I needed the car up high I would crib it up a couple of foot on concrete blocks (proper ones not the mickey mouse thermalite stuff) with a block of wood on the top.
Don't think I would trust anything that could have any chance of folding up, no matter what the load rating is.

Concrete blocks you are a braver man than me. Would crib with wood but never concrete

 

[Cuthy246]

Scaffold would be plenty strong enough if you know what you’re doing. I’ve got a load of work to do underneath one of mine and that may be the route I take also.
I find the most difficult part of this type of activity is actually getting the vehicle up in the air safely and supporting it whilst you build / install whatever structure beneath. The only issue with smaller lifts and the likes is they restrict most of the centre of the vehicle. A scissor lift may be an option and you could always sell it once your finished.

I have manufactured trestles in the past for supporting a body when repairing the chassis of my 4x4, but that was far from ideal, and if I wasn’t confident of my welding skills or have decent material I’d have needed to find another way because it was a little sketchy even for me!

Thankfully lifting should be the easy part, a friend up the road has a nice big gantry with chain hoist I can borrow. Have looked at the scissor lift type car lifts (nearly bought one last christmas) but they would block too much access

 

[Cuthy246]

This mobile lift presently on sale looks very well-engineered:

mobile car lift ramp | eBay

<p>mobile car lift / ramp. Mobilift, with the benefit of single phase electric lift, very quiet in operation, old but excellent build quality, designed to last with grease nipples on all pivot points, been stored 20 years, safety locks at 4 different heights. Adjustable deck width and 4 wheel...

www.ebay.co.uk

That Hauberg looks pretty good but looks like it blocks a fair bit in the centre? Also that mobile lift contraption looks absolutely terrifying sure it is fine but I just don't like the look of it. looks like a gentle breeze would blow it over

 

[Cuthy246]

does this count....? n before u say anything I have 4 very tall adjustable axle stands........
Hoffman 2 poster still in storage......
View attachment 414297

Cuthy,,,,plenty of used 2 poster lift around.....this wont be ur only job....even if u have to move house to get one in....
the scissor types are for young dudes with no back probs......
if I cant stand under the job I wont do it now......
just had to pay a garage to replace my T4 clutch.....that hurt......hahaha.....

A big forklift would be handy, don't think the Mrs would approve of one sitting on the driveway though . I could in theory put a 2 poster in but it would involve removing the blockwork driveway and having a concrete slab poured which is time consuming and £££ I don't have for what is essentially a luxury item for me

 

[Cuthy246]

I used chassis trollies for mine and a home made lifting jig (throgh bumper fixings).

Not a meter high though!.View attachment 414302View attachment 414303View attachment 414304

They look quite handy do they do a taller version?

 

[slim_boy_fat]

My friend has a portable 2 post, looks like a pair of heavy hand trucks.

https://www.northerntool.com/products/maxjax-two-post-lift-capacity-7000lb-max-rise-42ft-1-hp-model-5175548-5782620

42ft? That I doubt.

 

[Cuthy246]

42ft? That I doubt.

didn't even notice that. Would need a BIG ladder to work on your car at max height

 

[slim_boy_fat]

didn't even notice that.

"Pay attention at the back, boy!"

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I have a pair of 12 ton axle stands which are around 36" at highest position.
You can get new "railway sleepers" from DIY stores etc which are far better then concrete blocks.