Garage scissor lift. Advice please!

[Lawts0908]

I’m fed up using trolley jacks and axle stands now. And I’m also fed up crawling under my cars in the minimal space underneath.

My garage has a max ceiling height of 10’9” which I believe is insufficient for a two post lift set up. Also I find these fairly frustrating opening doors etc.

I like the look of the new ‘scissor’ lifts available (Strongman, E4G (garage equipment.com). So, if anyone out there has knowledge of these, or can recommend anything on the market, especially if they use theirs lifting a Gaydon Vantage, then that would be great. I’d especially like to know if any are best suited regarding ground clearance, length etc.

Many thanks in advance!

[john ryan]

I have a Strongman Clifton -half height scissor lift with a substantial baseplate. It works for wheel free access on V8V, but you may need to lengthen the on/off ramps with some simple wooden extensions, because of the low ground clearance and, in my case, front mud flaps. Doesn't meet every requirement, so I also use a pit occasionally.

[MCSV8]

I have the same. It's excellent. It's flexible enough for not only my Aston, but my Jaguar XJR, Triumph Stag and Fiesta too.

This is an old pic. It now sits in a recess in the floor with steel plates to cover it when not in use. Much tidier and solves the ground clearance problem.

Edited by MCSV8 on Wednesday 10th March 19:48

[Lawts0908]

That’s excellent news. May I ask if there are any problems with ground clearance driving onto the ramps? (Obviously when not installed into the floor) My Aston is a V12V, so I’ll be concerned about the sills scraping....

[Ralph S3]

Hi,

I have the Quickjack 5000 which I use with 4 custom lifting pads. Fits my V8 Vantage perfectly. The best thing is when I am not using them I simply push them together and leave them under the car.

I got them for just over £900 from Costco.

Ralph

[BlackV8]

Hello, I am using a QuickJack System and works like a treat since years. Storage below the V8V after using is no problem. Very happy with it ...
https://www.quickjacklift.co.uk/car-lift-systems/b...

Cheers

[ReformedPistonhead]

BlackV8 said:

Hello, I am using a QuickJack System and works like a treat since years. Storage below the V8V after using is no problem. Very happy with it ...
https://www.quickjacklift.co.uk/car-lift-systems/b...

Cheers

I am in the same situation, getting old and bored of lying under cars, need something which will lift the V12VS and maybe other stuff (although I am struggling to see how it will lift my Morgan 3 Wheeler ;-)

Question:

Do you feel comfortable going underneath that or do you only use it to get access to wheel wells etc?

[ReformedPistonhead]

I also like this: https://strongmanlifts.co.uk/product/full-rise-car... It lifts 1.85m in the air.

But not sure how brave I would feel underneath it with 2.5 tonnes of Range Rover on top (somehow the Aston falling on me is not so scary). I am thinking about a plank across the back to support the rear of the Morgan.

But no point in buying it unless you have the bravery to work underneath.....

[dig123]

I have just got Quickjack and pleased with them. The main advantage I found was that I could move the out of the way when not in use as they can be man handled and don’t take up much space. For me some of the other lifts would just take up space as the car is stored in an airchamber and not enough space for both.

I have seen others do a lot of work under them I have only use for sorting out the rear subframe.

What they don’t tell you but then I guess other jacks or lifts don’t tell you either is but is a US product so may be over cautious.

1. Don’t remove heavy part of the car as this may make them unstable, I guess taking the engine out would do this but probably the same as other makes.
2. Once jacked up put on axle stands, not really possible as I used them to Jack the car up!
3. Photos show them being used out side but the manual says not to be used outside but then gives users comments on what they did to use outside.

Still pleased with the them. They are a lot stronger than they appear in the photos if that makes sense.

Edited by dig123 on Wednesday 10th March 20:58

[ReformedPistonhead]

Based on what you say the it is a jack, needing axle stands once up.

Sounds ok but if I have to use axle stands then I may as well spend 2 minutes with a trolley jack to lift the car instead.

Hmm will keep thinking thank you!

[BlackV8]

ReformedPistonhead said:

BlackV8 said:

Hello, I am using a QuickJack System and works like a treat since years. Storage below the V8V after using is no problem. Very happy with it ...
https://www.quickjacklift.co.uk/car-lift-systems/b...

Cheers

I am in the same situation, getting old and bored of lying under cars, need something which will lift the V12VS and maybe other stuff (although I am struggling to see how it will lift my Morgan 3 Wheeler ;-)

Question:

Do you feel comfortable going underneath that or do you only use it to get access to wheel wells etc?

Each jack is locked in the up position which looks safe in my opinion. You can put some standard jacks between the scissor if you feel safer. You have to lift the car close to 2“ with the hydraulic pump again to release the locks and put it on the ground. Had the V8V lifted for 3 month, done some work below as well without problems. There is no recommendation how to lift a 3 wheeler ?
Hope that helped ...

[paulrog1]

If your garage concrete floor is strong enough you could buy a 2 post vehicle ramp from ebay, but convert the electric from 3 phase to single phase.

Depends on the height also.

This might be a better solution -

https://www.maxjax.com/

[AstonV]

I have the quick jack and it works well. Very safe. I store against the garage wall on hooks. It is heavy and takes a bit of effort to position under the car, so that sucks. You will want to get rubber jack pads that fit in the jacking points. I like the fact to car is open underneath were the scissor jack isn't.

Going to look into the Max Jack, it looks a little nicer than the quick jack.

[Cold]

I got mine from Automech. It's a platform base type so although potentially mobile you can, and I have, bolt it to the floor. It has height locks so no need for axle stands etc. It's a 3T lift so no problem for my Range Rover, least of all the Aston. I've no qualms about getting underneath it with either car loaded.
Very useful for doing brakes, suspension maintenance or swapping over to winter wheels etc. Even attending to things like a window mech is made more comfortable with the car lifted to a working height.

A set of the PH recommended Aston specific hockey pucks is probably the best way to support the car on the lift. (Someone will post up the link to the thread, I'm sure)

I've used Automech a couple of times now, for the scissor lift and their shorty four poster. Both times have been easy and straightforward. https://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-7...

[AM4884]

I like my MAXJACK two post lift. Only goes 48", which is perfect for my 8' height garage.

[ReformedPistonhead]

Cold said:

I got mine from Automech. It's a platform base type so although potentially mobile you can, and I have, bolt it to the floor. It has height locks so no need for axle stands etc. It's a 3T lift so no problem for my Range Rover, least of all the Aston. I've no qualms about getting underneath it with either car loaded.
Very useful for doing brakes, suspension maintenance or swapping over to winter wheels etc. Even attending to things like a window mech is made more comfortable with the car lifted to a working height.

A set of the PH recommended Aston specific hockey pucks is probably the best way to support the car on the lift. (Someone will post up the link to the thread, I'm sure)

I've used Automech a couple of times now, for the scissor lift and their shorty four poster. Both times have been easy and straightforward. https://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/as-7...

Thanks they have a good range. Looks promising. I have a set of pucks already.

Just need to think about positioning and get the big SDS drill out I guess!

[Lawts0908]

Many thanks all. I think that a scissor lift is the way forward for me. The E4G (garage equipment) scissor lift is moveable on detachable wheels which would be a nice option for working outside (shot blasting weld areas springs to mind )
I’m nicely reassured that the Aston will ‘fit ‘ on one of these which is great. I guess if ground clearance is an issue, then E4G also do special ‘on ramp’ accessories for low sports vehicles, but the main ramp fully lowered is only about 110mm so it may be ok.
Another attractive option is that I perhaps could use one of the ramps for my motorbike and the other raised ramp as a tool bench to work on them. Certainly they seem very versatile and yes, if I had the Morgan conundrum, then a suitable beam spanning the ramps to support the rear would probably work well.

Is the Strongman British made?? I think the E4G is Chinese, but monitored and inspected for safety.

[vetrof]

Twin-Busch do a 2-post lift that has a height of only 2.32m.

https://twinbusch.co.uk/product_info.php?products_...

[GG33]

Another quickjacks user here. Got them for my Vanquish. Very sturdy but maneuverable. I tend to use additional axle stands when working under the car just for peace of mind. Got a deal from Costco, about £900-ish. The problem with scissor lifts is they have all the gubbins in the middle which prevents easy ingress beneath the car, plus very heavy.

GG

[s3dave]

Mine was lIfttech. I think they are all very similar. Probably not the right reason for choice, but they were the only ones who would deliver down to my garage. Most were going to dump it on the drive by the road. As have a 50m long steep drive with a right angle turn the prospect of assembling it at the top and moving it down on the small detachable wheels (and no brakes) was not appealing. One of the best investments I have made. The Liftech delivery team used a forklift straight into the garage.