QuickJack

[Sundayjumper]

I've been looking / longing / debating getting a lift of some kind but nothing quite ticked the boxes until I stumbled across these the other day:

www.quickjacklift.co.uk

Not a replacement for a full-size lift, obviously, but looks ideal for anything I'm likely to do at home, stores easily either under the car or up against the wall, and because it's in two parts it's fairly portable, so could even get taken to events. Running off 12V means you could use it in the middle of a field if necessary.

I think this might be my Christmas pressie to myself.

[JonMad]

Looks ace. But *ker-ching!* I assume each price is for a pair?

[integrale_evo]

Look handy, but it's getting on for proper two post lift costs.

At around £400 they'd make a lot more sense ( and I'd probably have one )

[Mito Man]

Only lifts 50cm too which is the same as a standard jack - I reckon I could go raise a car with a jack and stands in the same time it takes to put the unload the quick jack thing and put it together.

[Sundayjumper]

Look handy, but it's getting on for proper two post lift costs.

Sadly my garage is not getting on for proper two post lift size If it was, I'd already have one.

I've seen other low-rise scissor lifts but they're normally in one piece somehow, which makes them rather large and heavy. This one is unusual in being two completely separate units, so it's easier to move & store, and allows access all along the centre of the car.

They're based not too far from here so I might see if I can go and see one in action.

[V8Granite]

Only lifts 50cm too which is the same as a standard jack - I reckon I could go raise a car with a jack and stands in the same time it takes to put the unload the quick jack thing and put it together.

The problem is unless lots of cars are an utter pain to lift on anything but the main lift points.

The TT needs driving up onto wood, a piece of wood put under the diff cradle and then you can lift and seat it on axle stands. My jack is at full extension to get the stands under those points and during the lift isn’t exactly firm and stable.

I looked at the Quickjack but they are heavy, cover up all down the sill which is a pain for some lines and also make doing exhaust work a faff as you have to crawl under each end to get anywhere in the middle of the car.



This is the best I’ve found. I have 2 jacks to lift the front or rear up pretty equally, means you lift and support on the lifting points and gives you access everywhere under the car. Also when not in use they are easy to store and take up little space.

I’ve still not bought them mind you as they worked out quite expensive with customs etc.

Dave!

[Foz]

we got a 2 poster int he barn and whilst its a faff to get the really low stuff up in the air- scaffold boards etc once, up there its great, also its a storage device, for the money of these and the hydraulic lifts I would keep my eyes on gumtree and ebay etc and pick up a used one.

[Sundayjumper]

This is the best I’ve found.

Ghetto version:

[ste]

This is the best I’ve found. I have 2 jacks to lift the front or rear up pretty equally, means you lift and support on the lifting points and gives you access everywhere under the car. Also when not in use they are easy to store and take up little space.

I like that lots. Having faffed with all sorts of combinations of wood and axle stands getting cars up in the air with all 4 wheels off the ground, including dropping a few occasionally, that would be infinitely better.

Its obvious flaw is how high you need the car to be to get the saddle and that thing underneath though. I think you could make a custom one though for a specific car with the top mount built into the main support bridge rather than being an additional piece on top.

Anyone read the 'noisymini' blog? I like his set up and will hopefully aim towards something similar. If you're lifting cars that aren't too tall, like an Elise you don't need *that* much height above to be able to oget underneath and work.

http://www.noisymini.com/installing-the-car-lift/

[integrale_evo]

I keep meaning to make something. I like the look of the metal ramps which have a platform with a bottle jack at the end so once driven up you can lift it further. I would like to make something like that but have the ramp section removeable because like Dave said earlier, not being able to slide in from the side is a pain.

I did make some wooden blocks out of some offcuts with ramps most of our cars can get up without catching. They're high enough that I can crawl under for a quick look, and are wider and more stable than our generic metal ramps so once the back end is on the platforms I can jack the front up without worrying about it toppling off.

[Sundayjumper]

Took me ages to find them again, but these are a posher version of the same principle Dave! posted:

www.jackpointjackstands.com

[integrale_evo]

These are what I was going to make

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2836099869

Look to have enough lift for most tasks, but run into the usual problems of planks of wood or bumper removal to get low cars onto them. I decided it would be cheaper to buy a pair and modify them to make the ramp part removeable than to make from scratch myself.

[_andy]

I've had one for a year or two and it's bloody fantastic.

[Sundayjumper]

I've had one for a year or two and it's bloody fantastic.

Cool !

Is it the 12V powered version ? What do you use as the power source ? Videos seem to show it being run of the car's own battery but I can see that leading to a flat battery pretty quickly.

My only concern on the lift itself is how you need a certain amount of space horizontally between the wheel and the jacking point to allow for the length of the upright when it's not upright. Is that a problem in reality ? It's by the front wheels in your vid.

[Sundayjumper]

Update - their UK warehouse is in Alton, about half an hour form here. I've arranged to go down there for a demo next week.

I'm 99% sure I'm going to buy one, the real purpose of the visit is to see if I can get a discount for collecting in person

[_andy]

I've had one for a year or two and it's bloody fantastic.

Cool !

Is it the 12V powered version ? What do you use as the power source ? Videos seem to show it being run of the car's own battery but I can see that leading to a flat battery pretty quickly.

My only concern on the lift itself is how you need a certain amount of space horizontally between the wheel and the jacking point to allow for the length of the upright when it's not upright. Is that a problem in reality ? It's by the front wheels in your vid.

Yep, mine is the 12v version, I think that was the only one they sold in the UK at the time but that may have changed now. I think it's probably the best option as it gives more flexibility. I just use the car battery, it doesn't seem to have too much effect on it as it only runs the pump for about 30 seconds or so.

There is a limitation on wheel base, I can't use it on the Smart car for example. Most cars jacking points are far enough inboard of the wheel that its not likely to be a problem.