SciVette

I have a low-ceiling garage, so a real lift isn't an option, and I was growing weary of working on my back under jack-stands. Rarely did I even have enough room to use a creeper... So, I spent $1,340 on a new BL-5000SLX Quickjack partial lift. My first impressions are overall good. I'm really going to enjoy the extra room as I plan to pull my differential and perform other larger projects in the upcoming months. Below are my first good and bad impressions along with a few photos.

Good:
1. Lift was delivered about two weeks after I ordered. (I had heard that they were often back ordered, but no delay for me.)
2. Lift comes in three well marked and shrink-wrapped boxes.
3. Build quality seems solid. Pump and quick connects seem of quality with no leaks.
4. Lift took very little fiddling to get it up and working quickly. Operation is smooth, lift has two stop points, and car seems stable even at highest (20+") lift point.

Bad:
1. Instructions are not updated to match the model. Numerous photos and some steps didn't match.
2. Fittings were not separately boxed inside larger boxes. Half the baggies broke open and fittings were a bit banged up. (If the boxes hadn't been shrink-wrapped they may have been lost in transit.)
3. Very first bolt (installing pump to carrier plate) the aluminum threaded hole cracked and stripped out. I was able to **** the carrier plate and use another hole, but it was disappointing right out of the box and made me wonder about build quality...)
4. Price is a bit high, but if you can't fit a regular lift you don't have many options.

Alan 71

Hi SV,
I too found the instruction booklet a little confusing but after going through it a couple of times did o.k. with it.
I'm sure you were disappointed because of your your 'thread' problem.
Oddly, the pump and motor were already mounted on the carrier on the jack I received?!?
I hope you find your jack as useful as I find mine!
Regards,
Alan

cardo0

I like the design but just not quite enough lift for me and to expensive to just give it a try. But quite a space saver for a lift. There is a higher lift model but the price nearly doubled!

I guess I'm stuck with building 2x4 wood blocks for stands. Heck, Hobo Fake has framing nailers now for <$90 more like $70 on sale.��

speedreed8

Already told my wife that's what I want for my birthday in Dec.

Rayzrx12

Got mine in January. Bl5000xl. Work great first time. Second time would not lower. BAD CONTROLER. UP IN AIR FOR A WEEK. They sent me new one.

jim-81

Thanks for the review.

Tim Ware

I looked at this and the other manufacturer's version and did not buy for two reasons:
1. Not much more height than a floor jack & jack stands.
2. But the primary reason I did not buy it was there is no way to get under the car ( or remove stuff once disassembled ) from the side. You have to enter from the ends and it makes it pretty inconvenient in a standard home garage.

Just my opinion, Tim

reefrashralph

Duane4238

I was gonna go for the 7000 model so I could put my truck on it, but I don't think there's enough room to park the '72 underneath.
Duane

SciVette

Just to update my review. I started disassembling my Vette's rear to pull the differential and suspension. This is work I would NOT have felt comfortable doing on jack stands as I was always nervous about getting the stands up high enough to actually fit a creeper, etc. I have to say I am more pleased with the Quickjacks now than at purchase. They feel solid and the car hardly moves at all when I'm wrenching on bolts that have never been removed. I still place jack stands strategically for safety, but it's probably overkill.

I agree that the side access is an issue, but the ability to use a creeper, have actual ROOM under the car, and the confidence to tackle jobs I would have farmed out make up for that and the cost of the QJ for me.