E-Force install
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,376
Likes: 1,118
Having hands on built my home back in 94 I was generous to myself with ample space in the garage area but back then I did not consider a install of a lift. I built a 38'L x 28'w 1 1/2 story a-frame attached garage and will have to modify it for the height of the lift. My plan is to increase the height for the lift on the drive-thru side by taking out the 2nd floor in that area. Installing the lift in the center of the 38' span will allow me enough room to park a car on either side of the lift when not in use. Here is a few pics when I modified 1/2 the garage into a large paint booth.
Here’s a couple of pics of my car on the lift, with it at the highest setting:
CF Community Team
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 14,056
Likes: 7,374
From: Pittsburgh
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Why not use a mid-lift like the JaxMax by Danmar? It’s even portable, although I’ve left mine in place, since I’m too lazy to mess with removing it and installing it when I need it. I had the same problem you have (actually even less ceiling height, I think), except that I had a 8” thick concrete slab for a ceiling and 4 storeys of building on top of my garage, so I had to find a solution. The Max Jax was the perfect height for me. With the MaxJax on the highest setting and some rolling creeper seats (picture below) that I bought from Summit, I can sit and roll under the car by slightly tilting my head back. I find that much more comfortable than standing under a full height lift or even lying on a creeper.
Here’s a couple of pics of my car on the lift, with it at the highest setting:
Here’s a couple of pics of my car on the lift, with it at the highest setting:
Thread Starter
XX
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 859
Likes: 40
From: Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '12
CI GS<<< Looks good!!! I though about the maxjax. I can install a full size lift up to 11' from my rear garage door to achieve the same height as the maxjax without having to take the 2nd floor out. Granted the columns would have to be between the 2nd floor joist, that would be a easy way for me to do it. On a side note bendpak is about to release some new lifts to compete with the maxjax. They also have some group buys setup if you search around.
http://www.bendpak.com/GrandPrix-Car...7-Two-Post.pdf
http://www.bendpak.com/GrandPrix-Car...7-Two-Post.pdf
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,376
Likes: 1,118
CI GS<<< Looks good!!! I though about the maxjax. I can install a full size lift up to 11' from my rear garage door to achieve the same height as the maxjax without having to take the 2nd floor out. Granted the columns would have to be between the 2nd floor joist, that would be a easy way for me to do it. On a side note bendpak is about to release some new lifts to compete with the maxjax. They also have some group buys setup if you search around.
http://www.bendpak.com/GrandPrix-Car...7-Two-Post.pdf
http://www.bendpak.com/GrandPrix-Car...7-Two-Post.pdf
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 24,035
Likes: 2,341
From: Gilbert AZ
I have a Max Jax. I had a full size two post. They don't compare. And saying Max Jax is portable is a stretch. It is movable to store but not portable per say. Now my quick jack is portable. Can use it anywhere. Even the track.
Thread Starter
XX
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 859
Likes: 40
From: Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '12
Yes top plates help reinforce the columns to some degree but the design is to also have the hydraulics and cables above for a clear floor span. Even though bendpak is about to release a 8'10" height lift I still fall short of using it, my ceiling height 8'6". My 2nd floor two room 14'6" x 28' space is what some call a man cave and so on. I will probably just cut it in half to reach full height of a lift.
Thread Starter
XX
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 859
Likes: 40
From: Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '12
I am sure if I went with maxjax it would not have been a portable setup on my end, I would have done the mod other have done. The quick jack is neat and portable as you stated.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,376
Likes: 1,118
I obviously wasn’t suggesting that the MaxJax is something you can lug around in a backpack. It’s advertised as being “portable”, but it’s better described as moveable, in that, if you want it out of the way, you can pull the bolts holding each column to the floor in a few minutes and wheel it away very easily (it has little wheels on the mounting flange). I don’t have anything to compare it to. I’m sure it’s not the top of the line, bigdickdaddy model when it comes to lifts, but it was reasonably priced ($2400) and has worked flawlessly for me. I looked at the quick jack and some other scissors type jacking system, but what I don’t like about those is that they’re under the car with you, taking up space, and most of them don’t have enough lift that you can sit upright under the car. I still haven’t come across another two post lift that can fit in the space that I have, including the lowest of those new bendpacks, and I have the option of removing it in minutes, if I need too. So, to each his own. The purpose of my post was merely to point out to the OP that instead of tearing out a ceiling or doing other major construction work, a mid-lift two post like the maxjax was an option.
Last edited by CI GS; Dec 7, 2017 at 11:46 PM.
Thread Starter
XX
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 859
Likes: 40
From: Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '12
I obviously wasn’t suggesting that the MaxJax is something you can lug around in a backpack for Christsakes. It’s advertised as being “portable” but it’s better described as moveable, in that, if you want it out of the way, you can pull the bolts holding each column to the floor in a few minutes and wheel it away very easily (it has little wheels on the mounting flange). I don’t have anything to compare it to. I’m sure it’s not the top of the line, bigdickdaddy model when it comes to lifts, but it was reasonably priced ($2400) and has worked flawlessly for me. I looked at the quick jack and some other scissors type jacking system, but what I don’t like about those is that they’re under the car with you, taking up space, and most of them don’t have enough lift that you can sit upright under the car. I still haven’t come across another two post lift that can fit in the space that I have, including the lowest of those new bendpacks, and I have the option of removing it in minutes, if I need too. So, to each his own. The purpose of my post was merely to point out to the OP that instead of tearing out a ceiling or doing other major construction work, a mid-lift two post like the maxjax was an option.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 942
Likes: 171
Why not use a mid-lift like the JaxMax by Danmar? It’s even portable, although I’ve left mine in place, since I’m too lazy to mess with removing it and installing it when I need it. I had the same problem you have (actually even less ceiling height, I think), except that I had a 8” thick concrete slab for a ceiling and 4 storeys of building on top of my garage, so I had to find a solution. The Max Jax was the perfect height for me. With the MaxJax on the highest setting and some rolling creeper seats (picture below) that I bought from Summit, I can sit and roll under the car by slightly tilting my head back. I find that much more comfortable than standing under a full height lift or even lying on a creeper.
Here’s a couple of pics of my car on the lift, with it at the highest setting:
Here’s a couple of pics of my car on the lift, with it at the highest setting:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,376
Likes: 1,118
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 24,035
Likes: 2,341
From: Gilbert AZ
Max Jaxs are great for limited height situations, but after having both, it isn't nearly as nice as a normal 2 post lift, that can also be had for $1400 or so. If you don't need to move it, and can fit a full size, do it. They are faster, safer, more capacity.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2022
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
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From: Erlanger, Kentucky