Safest cheapest way to get a car in the air?

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Bulldog78@reddit

Quickjack is pretty inexpensive. It doesn’t lift the car too terribly high, 2’ or just over, but it’s much faster than a rolling jack and jack stands.

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jules083@reddit (OP)

Seems reasonable, I'm not against it. Might have to look into them some more, thanks for the tip.

They looked kind of sketchy at first glance and I dismissed them to be honest.

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They do have lockers at height intervals like a true lift. You may still want something other than gravel under them, depending on how thick the gravel is laid you could dig up a couple of strips and lay down 16x16 paver rows.

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jules083@reddit (OP)

Yeah, I was just thinking about the base requirement for them. I'm sure I could come up with something.

Maybe even concrete. Pouring a base for a lift is a concrete truck job, but a pad for this would just be a truckload of bags I think.

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Bibliophage007@reddit

Even strapping 3/4" plywood to the bases would give you a solid base for lifting, as long as the gravel isn't REALLY loose.

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jules083@reddit (OP)

I'm going to look at one of these used on marketplace Friday. I think this is the right move, should be way more stable since it's all one piece. They're asking $1600

https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/low-rise-scissor-lifts/lr-60/

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Bibliophage007@reddit

If it's in good shape, that's a fair price. I really want one as well, but I haven't been able to justify the dosh, but I'm getting closer and closer. I now need to maintain three cars, and I'm getting tired of the shops ignoring problems because it's not their speciality. (Like my wife getting an alignment twice, and they never bothered telling her that the tie rod end boot was ruptured completely, and the back of the brake caliper was covered in grease. I get them not DOING anything, but say something. I found out when I was changing the brakes on two cars on Sunday)

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jules083@reddit (OP)

I get that for sure. I rarely go to shops anymore, seems like every time I do I end up in the garage anyways fixing something they messed up or missed.

I'm up to 6 cars to maintain. All older stuff. I'm getting just about sick of floor jacks and jackstands.

The killer job for me is undercoating though. Every fall I'm underneath everything spraying fluid film. It sucks. My truck is easy, just lay under it and go, but everything else is terrible. Especially the Miata

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Bibliophage007@reddit

I'm lucky there. The only salt we have to generally worry about is from the Gulf of Mexico. (when you drive towards Galveston or Corpus). Check Mustie1 on YT - he has some 'homemade' stuff he uses like fluid film that works well, he's in NH and manages to keep his vehicles from looking like cheese.

Anyway, with 6, I'd be wanting a 2 post as well. You might not need pads, I'd bet there are ones you can cast into footings.

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foolproofphilosophy@reddit

I see them on FB all the time. I’ve considered buying them. There are multiple versions from different manufacturers. I’ve heard them referred to generically as Wheel and Brake lifts (or something like that). I think that the two piece ones generally weigh less than 100 lbs per section so not difficult to move.

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thewheelsgoround@reddit

We have them at work. Really handy. Gotta make sure you’re using them properly (lift to the locking points, engage the locks…). As long as you do, they’re rock solid.

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nadanutcase@reddit

First of all you're on the right path thinking that a two post lift would give you the best access.

I have both a 2 post and a 4 post.

Secondly while a solid concrete floor is the best, you COULD install 2 post using a couple well designed footings. They'd have to be much larger than the posts and deep, but that would be a smaller project than pouring the whole floor.

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jules083@reddit (OP)

I think I'm reasonably set on getting this thing.

A 2 post would be awesome. There's probably one in my future someday, I just don't think that day is now. I think long term I'd be better off holding off on the lift until I can afford to concrete that whole side of the garage and doing it right.

Plus the damn thing would be very much in my way with where it would need to be. There are 2 bays in my garage. One side has my camper squeezed in over every winter, the other side is very piled full of stuff. I was standing in my garage last night and the only good way to do it would be put the lift where the camper is currently sitting. Hate to leave that thing sit outside if I can help it, everyone I know who left their campers sit out have gotten terrible water damage after about 8 years or so when the roof gets a leak over winter without anyone noticing.

I think the scissor lift is a good compromise. My other bay will fit my jeep and Miata end to end, jeep goes in first, and it looks like I can just park the jeep over the scissor lift. Summer time isn't as bad, I don't mind if the jeep is outside sometimes, but in the winter I try to get everything inside except my work beater.

https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/low-rise-scissor-lifts/lr-60/

I need to go through the garage and make a scrap run and put some stuff on marketplace to get rid of it. Honestly my biggest killer is the damn camper. I really want to put a carport up for it. Can't do it. I've tried. My dad is my neighbor and the carport would have to be on his side, he said no because it'll 'look trashy'. Whatever, it's his yard so it's his decision. Anywhere I put it in my yard would be a nightmare getting it in and out of. I made a pretty big mistake when I built my house, it's on the edge of my lot with poor access to the other side. Should have put the house about 200' towards the other side. I've had the camper over there where it would need to be, only way to get it there is to pull it with my tractor and hope it's not muddy. Didn't think about a camper at the time because I didn't own one. Lol

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nadanutcase@reddit

A couple more things. I understand the kind of limitations you're dealing with juggling multiple vehicles. I live out in the country too and have a utility tractor & a truck I use to haul stuff and plow snow with (for personal use not a business). I had one general purpose building that served initially as a place to live after I bought this land plus as a workshop and garage. It was always pretty full/busy. Later I built a house but "the shop" stayed pretty full & busy, I'd long done a majority of the routine work needed for my vehicles and as I got closer to retirement I got serious about hobby cars so I built a dedicated hobby garage.... BUT - here's a key point - I DIDN'T PLAN ON A LIFT, so there's not enough overhead clearance to use one. I really couldn't given the way I built it (attached to the side of the shop), but after enough dealing with dropping transmissions etc while laying on the floor, I really wanted one. SO I put the 2 post in my shop. Even there overhead clearance is limited so that I can't lift a pickup all the way without hitting a rafter. Better than nothing, but still a compromise. I used the 2 post a couple times to store a smaller hobby car during the off season which really helped with winter storage space. Later I built a new, larger & separate dedicated workshop with enough overhead clearance. I considered moving the 2 post into it, but ultimately bought a 4 post to use both for working on cars and winter storage. It's great for storage but only so-so for underside work and really not convenient for things like working on brakes.

My 4 post is one from Bend Pak. I think it's well made and their assembly instructions are pretty well written. Another interesting difference is that a 2 post definitely requires dedicated, stout footings, a 4 post doesn't have to be bolted down. You can even get an add-on wheel kit that allows you to move it. I built mine in the middle of the new shop then pushed it into place. But I wouldn't count on doing that a lot.

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jules083@reddit (OP)

Thanks for the reply, it's appreciated.

I think this scissor lift will work good for now.

Ideally in the long term I think the goal would be to have a 4 post in the large bay and still have this scissor lift for suspension work and whatever.

I'd love to have a 30x40 dedicated heated shop with about a 12' ceiling. Maybe someday when finances allow

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bynummustang@reddit

Quick Jacks - the only concern I'd Have with them is how flat your gravel is. I'd put down some like 3/4" plywood or something to get a more stable base. My QJ have a tiny rock because my garage slab isn't flat.

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jules083@reddit (OP)

Wondering about that.

Just saw one of these used on marketplace for 1600, guy said it's available, might try to grab it instead

https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/low-rise-scissor-lifts/lr-60p/

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bynummustang@reddit

I think both would have same vulnerability

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jules083@reddit (OP)

I don't know, I'm sure I'll find out. With this one being all tied together in one unit it might be a bit better.

The gravel in the garage is reasonably flat. I'm thinking I'll screw 2 treated 2x12's to the bottom of the lift to spread the load. I'm moving everything around Sunday I think, I'll see how it goes.

If I absolutely have to I have a small garage with concrete. I just really don't want to put this in there, it would create just as many problems as it would solutions. Lol

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alanbdee@reddit

I don’t see why a 2 point lift wouldn’t work. Sure, you have to also pour footings but you should have that anyway.

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jules083@reddit (OP)

It would work. If I had concrete.

Buying concrete takes away my lift budget. Lol

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onplanetbullshit-@reddit

It's just footings. Maybe a few yards?

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jules083@reddit (OP)

I was imagining needing a pad with rebar all tying it together.

Just picturing the whole damn thing falling over and crushing me under my truck

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illthrowawaysomeday@reddit

As long as the 2 post has a top bar connecting it footings are just fine. Although the recommended pad is 4x4, might as well connect them if they're like 5ft apart

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itsjakerobb@reddit

A sheet of plywood cut into squares to distribute load safely over the gravel, plus a floor jack and a set of jack stands.

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refuz04@reddit

Send it!

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jfcat200@reddit

Drive up ramp. We used them in the military (mainly at the wash racks). I looked into them once for work years ago and price wasn't bad, under $10k.

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jules083@reddit (OP)

I feel like you and I have dramatically different ideas about the pricing of such thing. I don't even own a $10k car to put on these things. Lmao

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jfcat200@reddit

And you're talking about pouring a pad and installing a lift? For under $10k?

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jules083@reddit (OP)

No. I'm talking about buying a scissor type lift that doesn't involve a pad trying not to spend 10k

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TimboFor76@reddit

I have the Bendpak 6000lb scissor lift. I wouldn’t dare put that thing in gravel. The contact points are small and it’s going to sink, and or plow through the dirt when it moves. The front remains stationary and the back rolls on two 4” wide rolllers. One thing to note, it’s 5” tall all the way down and half my cars require laying down lumber to get over it. Yesterday I had a scion XA in it and requires the boards. My Kia soul, also boards. My Taurus SHO, two layers of 2x8. It goes 42” high, but heavier vehicles it will be a struggle to get to its maximum lift.

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jules083@reddit (OP)

The one I'm looking at doesn't have the wheels, it's a different design. I know the one you have and I agree, wouldn't work at all in gravel.

I'm already expecting to have boards for the Miata. No biggie

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TimboFor76@reddit

I bet if you did quick jacks or something similar on some super fine stone chip or DG that stays put and compacts well, you’d be happy with the results. My neighbor up the street did a 3’ pad that’s the width needed for a lift and put it in his back yard behind the garage. Been using for at least 15 years with no problem. He mainly does full size trucks.

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OlYeller01@reddit

I guess they’re still around…Race Ramps made raised wheel cradles in varying heights. You still have to go through the pain of jacking up the car but once they’re on there, it’s much, much safer than jack stands.

Obviously these are only good if you’re leaving the wheels on/suspension loaded.

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Personal_Chicken_598@reddit

Build ramps out of wood.

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twdpuller@reddit

Yep get some old railroad ties to drive up onto. Old farm tech

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Icy_Tip_6101@reddit

Miata as a winter car?

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jules083@reddit (OP)

They come with heat now.

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Toygaggo@reddit

Small concrete pad may not be a bad solution. It need to be think than an average floor anyways so if you ever finish off the rest of the floor it can be at a normal thinness. Tie it in with rebar and done. 2 post lift that is safe and no messing around with something that may or may not work

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yodas_sidekick@reddit

If you just want to get it in the air. Go really fast at a raised railroad track. Works every time, start at 60mph and increase at 5mph for desired height

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howardewing@reddit

Check for trains, tho

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Graflex01867@reddit

It will still be airborne, just sideways. And maybe a little dented.

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yodas_sidekick@reddit

True. OP did say safest.

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VW-MB-AMC@reddit

Speedbumps also work. Or asphalt knockers as we call them where I live.

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Bibliophage007@reddit

How much concrete do you suggest they put in the trunk?

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XDiskDriveX@reddit

Those Duke boys are at it agin...

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cbelt3@reddit

Trebuchet ?

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deysg@reddit

Find an old washednput bridge, install a horn that plays Dixie and hold on tonypur hat

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english_mike69@reddit

À jack and jack stands that are capable of lifting and holding more weight than the vehicle you want to lift and keep in the air.

Some things in life can be had for cheaper - being under a cheap with cheaper isn’t something I’d ever recommend.

As for ramps and Miata’s, you can get ramps like Race Ramps that have “helper” sections for even the lowest of cars. They’re add on sections that are placed in front of the regular ramp section and help avoid scraping the bottom of the bumper. Race Ramps are spendy but they are good.

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Bibliophage007@reddit

How high do you need? They make 'portable' car lifts that are basically paired motorcycle jacks. The bases are wide, and you can always put a chunk of 3/4 plywood under them (or fasten to them) to spread the weight. An example would be the QuickJack 6000TL. There are dozens of types out there.

Those are good as long as you don't need to get more than 30 inches or so into the air.

As for the jack stands - Many cars have centerpoints for jacking at the front and back. That made it easy for me to lift up my old car to pull off the wheels. One lift at the front, then place the stands. One lift at the back, place the stands. No need to readjust the stands to compensate for the swaying. (The REAL reason people get hurt by jack stands. Not that the stands are bad, but if you extend the stand out and then tilt it sideways, of COURSE it's going to collapse)

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jules083@reddit (OP)

https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/low-rise-scissor-lifts/lr-60/

I found one of these used on marketplace for 1600, going to look at it Friday. I think it'll work out for me

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AbsurdSolutionsInc@reddit

Trebuchet!

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buildyourown@reddit

Pour footers for a 2 post lift. If / when you pour the whole slab the footers can remain. They need to be deeper anyways.

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fast_farmer4u@reddit

Buy the lift. Pour 2 big footers of concrete, many lifts want a big block of concrete under each post. Then work in the gravel till you can afford the whole floor. Just puor the footers on finish grade for when you do concrete. I have seen lifts in a dirt floor shop before

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lunchbox651@reddit

What about something like QuickJacks? Not gunna be great on gravel but better than a slap in the face with a wet fish.

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jules083@reddit (OP)

thinking harder about them. I initially dismissed them as being cheap and flimsy

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jrileyy229@reddit

This is your answer... I can't speak to the knockoff Temu brands that have popped up, but I've had my QJ for 5 years now... It's certainly not cheap and flimsy, it's actually annoyingly heavy duty if you move it around often. For what seems like a permanent solution for you that will stay in one spot, bingo.

Go to tractor supply, buy a small sheet of 3/4" thick rubber horse stall mat for $20. Cut it up into 4 strips, put those inside the QJ as your landing pads... Drive the car in, when you feel it pop up onto the mats, you know you're in the right spot and you've also gained 3/4" clearance to get the arms and picks under the pinch weld

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jules083@reddit (OP)

I'm looking at the knockoff brands right now too. Likely go with the QJ but the vevor one looks decent for about 500 less too.

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jrileyy229@reddit

Sure... As long as it has a similar locking mechanism, I can't imagine the vevor would be dangerous in any way.

I've bought some of their stuff on Amazon, fairly decent quality

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jules083@reddit (OP)

Kind of what I'm thinking, I have some of their stuff too.

Killer now as I look closer is these things are halfway to the cost of a 4 post lift. Would require a lot of garage reorganizing but could work. I would think that a 4 post lift sitting on 4 little concrete pads would be fine.

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jrileyy229@reddit

Well, you may need to investigate that further. When I looked at them years ago, the free shipping was to a depot hub a few hours away.

I was on my own from there... So basically needed an open deck trailer, fork lift, that kind of stuff. Or for more money, they will hire someone to do that stuff.

So 3k was going to actually be 4k and then still required me assembling it, which is fine... But also a 4post lift is more of a storage device and less of a "working on the car" device. Might be fine for just doing undercoatings I guess.

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jules083@reddit (OP)

Trailer and forklift isn't a problem.

Just talked to a guy on marketplace selling one of these for $1600. Hopefully going to look at it on Friday. I think it'll work fine for my uses. I'm curious if it'll work on my truck. Capacity is there, just would need some sort of spacers to catch the frame.

https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/low-rise-scissor-lifts/lr-60p/

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shorerider69@reddit

My buddy has a set of quick jacks. They works perfectly in his garage. He fully restored his 69 Camaro in his garage on them. He built 2x4 cribbing to put under the tires when he needed to work in the middle to get the jacks out of the way. They have locks set at multiple heights for safety. If you don’t want to go to the hassle of a full 2 or 4 post I’d be looking at those.

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jules083@reddit (OP)

Good to know, thanks for the reply. Think I might order a set. 2x4 cribbing under the tires sounds perfect too.

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lunchbox651@reddit

I haven't used them personally but I've heard good things about them

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Ok_Two_2604@reddit

There are longer ramps that may work. Or make your own out of wood.

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Longjumping-Log1591@reddit

Thicc sheet of plywood at each corner

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prairie-man@reddit

purchase a 4 post lift.

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jabber5646@reddit

Open door, throw a brick on accelerator and let it go off a cliff. Sorry had too

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GoodolBen@reddit

Just pour a small pad. It'll be worth it.

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Tool_junkie_1972@reddit

Are you talking loose gravel or compacted? I’d be leery of lifting anything on loose gravel. Even with a scissor lift.

I’m sure other companies have it as well, but Harbor freight has a beam attachment for their jacks that is adjustable. You out the jack in the middle and extend the arms to the lift points and can jack up the entire end of the car at once. Not sure how the ground clearance on a Miata is- you might need to build a set of ramps out of 2x10 or 12s stacked so the jack can fit under it. With those ramps you can design them however long they need to be to clear the bumper, you can even make them as tall as you need. Several YouTube videos with great details on how to.

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jules083@reddit (OP)

It's not ideal but the gravel is pretty solid.

If finances allow I'm hoping to get concrete poured on my back porch this summer and hopefully pour a small pad in front of my garage with the leftover in the truck.

Miata ground clearance is terrible. Lol

Biggest issue with a floor jack on gravel is it can't roll forward while it goes up and tries to pull the car back and off the other jackstands. So it's basically one click at a time going up then resetting the jack.

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Odd-Concept-6505@reddit

If your gravel came be smoothed to reasonably flat .. 4 pieces of 4x8 plywood ...1/2" or 3/4"... will make a good base/floor. Minimum 7/16" I recommend. I will admit that since the approach to my garage door is not flat....and I like to back my RWD pickup in....the plywood tends to move around just while backing in, on my smooth concrete floor.

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jules083@reddit (OP)

I have a tractor and a rear blade, I can get it as smooth as I need to. No worries there.

Thought about plywood for sure. I was picturing doubling up 3/4".

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Tool_junkie_1972@reddit

Gotcha. If Ramps would work, I’d seriously look at building a set of the wooden ones then. I have a Dodge Journey and a Chrysler Sebring in our “fleet” and both of them won’t go up on traditional ramps without damaging the front bumpers. I currently use a couple 2x8 boards as a lead up to my ramps so they clear…when I get time I’ll make a set of race style wooden ramps.

Sounds like a quick jack may be the best overall solution for you.

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jules083@reddit (OP)

Thought about that too.

Once a year I undercoat everything. 3 cars and a pickup truck. I spend more time screwing with jacks that day than I do actually doing the work. It's aggravating.

Ideally getting front and back up at the same time so I can get under it and do what needs done.

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CommuterType@reddit

Undercoating a Miata? Huh

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jules083@reddit (OP)

What's confusing about that?

Rust belt problems. Either undercoat them or watch them slowly rot away.

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largos7289@reddit

LOL i took this the wrong way... i came here to say well you want your car in the air quick and fast? trebuchet. Just got to get one of those punkin chunkers to get a hold of it.

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AFinanacialAdvisor@reddit

take the rear wing off an audi TT

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jolsiphur@reddit

I know this is probably not the ideal solution, but you might be able to see if there's a DIY garage in your area. There's one in my town with very reasonable fees. You bring your car and tools in and you get a bay with a full lift to use for your allotted time. There is often a licensed technician on site as well.

The DIY garage in my town charges about $40/hr to use the bay and lift, $25 if you just need a bay and work space.

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Sweatyfatmess@reddit

Everyone does car repair in an Autozone parking lot.

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chuck-u-farley-@reddit

All we use here are jacks and stands….. but we definately don’t lift one corner at a time…. Even the heavyweights

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_synik@reddit

Install two filters in the ground and attach a two post lift to them. You still get to suffer on the gravel, but you can do it under a vehicle

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Ossmo02@reddit

This might be of interest, or may be more than concrete, not sure https://www.portablecarhoist.com/hoist-models/pch-76

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Senzualdip@reddit

I’d personally just pour a concrete pad for the lift. Even those drive on lifts like you are talking about need to be bolted on concrete and leveled. Unless you are talking those cheap portable one.

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Sparetire46@reddit

Concrete isnt going to get cheaper.

Pour half now Insulation Put pipes in for heating You don't have to hook them up but at least get them installed

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thetrivialstuff@reddit

Do you need the weight off the wheels? If not, the easiest way might be to dig a big hole slightly narrower than the car and park over it. (The sides of the hole should be braced/reinforced to make sure it won't collapse of course.)

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MrAmusedDouche@reddit

Here I was thinking you wanted to make a flying car.

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Stoltzy624@reddit

Quickjacks should work.

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AmazingAsian@reddit

Alternating corners? There should be center points to jack from and place the stands at the corners. Usually its the front subframe and the rear diff.

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jules083@reddit (OP)

Yeah, there is, but same fiddling. Jackstands on corners.

Still has to be a better way. Call it a roughly $2k budget right now.

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therealjohnsmith@reddit

You can buy a lift for home use. I think. Pretty sure I’ve seen some YouTube videos where a random dude has a decent home set up.

Otherwise, the commenter you are replying to is correct. 45 minutes time is going to improve even keeping it very deliberate & safe. It’s a lot less work to jack the center of each end rather than each corner.

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CommissarCiaphisCain@reddit

When I put my Miata on ramps, I use a jack to lift it high enough to tuck the ramps under the tires.

But your real issue is a platform to lift from. In the past, I’ve used a plank of solid 2x6 lumber to sit the jack on. It needs to be long enough to spread the weight out over the gravel, not just a small piece.

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jules083@reddit (OP)

I have 4 2x10's with an angled cut. Get the tires on those then I can start the jacking process.

I've never yet put my Miata on ramps, just jackstands.

My jackstands are sketchy at first, until I can get the big ones with a chunk of wood under them to fit.