Tilting Car LIft

[stux99]

Question. I have been looking at a couple of the above mentioned and would love to know if anyone has any knowledge of these. Planning on some sub-frame work front and rear when weather improves. Grateful for any input, good or bad. Stu

[Reckless Rat]

There are various types of car lifts available all of which cost between about £1500 and a few Grand; Just beware that there are always hidden extras in the adverts, in particular that delivery (on top of the sale price) involves an Artic lorry and it is up to YOU to get it off the trailer. You will need a fork lift.

On top of that, you need to ensure that the concrete base of your garage or workshop is strong enough (in the case of a 2 post lift) to withstand the stresses involved, as well as an electrical installation sufficiently powerful for the motor(s) and hydraulics.

A scissor type or tilter seem to be the cheapest, but they do have their particular disadvantages. Lack of height being the main one.

[stux99]

Thanks for your reply, it is the scissor type I am considering for small(ish) jobs. Height isnt a problem, just good to be higher than jacks and axle stands.

[Reckless Rat]

Just make sure that you've got enough clearance between your folded scissor lift and the underneath of your car so you can actually run it over it. Might not be a problem with a standard TF but if it's been lowered you might struggle. I've seen a scissor lift fitted inside a depression in the garage floor so it didn't stick up too much. Check on the fully folded height.

[cbjroms]

I considered one of these at the cheaper end of the market and concluded that it would be a pain to store and would not give much clearnace under the car.

[stux99]

I considered one of these at the cheaper end of the market and concluded that it would be a pain to store and would not give much clearnace under the car.

Thanks for reply, the lift I have in mind would just fit under TF and the 3. Lift height is around 585 mm which is enough for me, and of course tilt would make it better on front or rear as required. Agreed, storage is awkward but manageable. I intend to hang covered when not in use.

[Reckless Rat]

I looked at one of these a while back - ideal for my Austin Seven with its very narrow track, but I decided (actually the wife decided) that I didn't need it. I bought an extra low trolley jack with a 55cm lift instead. It does most jobs.

[Geoff.F]

Interesting.
A few years ago I did a nut and bolt restoration of Ann’s Sunbeam Stilleto (now in our garage). It included a complete body strip and replacement panels and re spray.
For this I bought a Rotisserie. Brackets on the front and rear bumper mounts, screw lifts and spin it 360 degrees.
This was replaced with a 4 post lift with 5 ft lift to the garage roof. We moved house but the new garages are not wide enough.We may convert it to the narrower version.
If you buy a lift platform, you do not need to digup the garage floor as height is no problem with old railway sleepers each side.
RR I am jealous of your Austin 7. Back when I was 17, 1 bought a 7, towed it home and gave it a full restoration and repainted it green with Brushing Belco, 7 coats with sanding down between each. Needed 3 engines to keep it on the road 2 are still in the garage.
My work required me to travel regularly from Warwick to Bristol so it had to go.
Geoff.F

[Rob Bell]

I think these are currently on offer at Costco if you have an account with them. Also toyed with this idea - not sure that they give enough height to lift the car off an assembled rear subframe and engine/transaxle, plus you need to store it somewhere (which is a bit of a problem for me)

Getting the car over a folded one shouldn't be too difficult - even if lowered - so long as you build some wooden ramps to enable the car to go up and over the lift.

If I could work out if I could store one, and if it gave the necessary height, I'd definitely get one.

[stux99]

Thanks Rob, already committed to Automomech. Seems a good bit of kit, we will see

[Rob Bell]

Let me know your impressions - and particularly, how large/heavy it is - I'd need to store it on its side next to a car in a very narrow garage (cars were a lot smaller in the 1920s...)