Advice Needed: Best lifting points for 2 post lift

[BrentF]

I plan on storing 3 cars in my 2 car garage. There isn't the ceiling height for a 4 post lift. so I went with a MaxJax 2 post lift that can lift a vehicle 44". This is enough height to allow me to raise my BMW (that will be stored width wise at the back of the garage) and allow the noses of the other two cars to situate beneath the raised BMW and be stored length wise.

I plan on using the MaxJax with the two posts at the front and rear of the car. I need to identify lifting points that are as close to the posts as possible.

On the front I plan on using the right and left pads on the front cross member, just rear of the tow hooks.

On the rear I plan on using the right and left pad on the swing arms of the rear cross member, since it is located closer to the rear of the car than other lifting points at the rear.

What do you think of these lifting points? Here are pictures.

Outdoor mock-up orientation of posts to car:

Front lift point:

Rear lift point (defined by location of rubber pad, lifting arm will have to be lengthened about 6" to reach):

Rear lift point:

[adawil2002]

As long as you can get the lifting points close to the wheels on the subframes without pinching anything. I'd be worried about side to side stability with a narrow front, back lift, get those pads as wide as possible. You'll need one long hydraulic hose too.

I went with a 4-post lift since I have the space.

[M3M3]

i would not lift from the trailing arms like you are proposing. they are just c-channel and are not designed to take a load there. it also transfers load to the weak connection at the trailing arm bushing in a direction it is not designed for.

lift it from the subframe.

[ClayW]

Can you not use the lifts from the side of the car?

You're going to want to jack at the subframes, the stock jackpoints or the forward framerails.

[BrentF]

Can you not use the lifts from the side of the car?

.

That was my original plan when I bought the lift, but doing so projects the car too far out from the rear wall of the garage and interferes with the two other cars whose noses (and windshields) have to clear the '02 on the lift. That could have been solved in other ways, but placing the lifts at the two ends provides the easier solution.

[BrentF]

Can you not use the lifts from the side of the car?

Thanks for posing that question. I had determined on paper that this set-up would project the car too far out from the back wall, but never did a mock-up with the actual lift/car. Your question prompted me to do that, and much to my pleasant surprise, this arrangement only projects the car out by an additional 2", so it will work. Thanks!

This way, I can lift the car with the conventional lifting points. Here are the photos, which reveal the car will extend no further than 78" from the back wall of the garage:

[TobyB]

Yep, much better!

t

[adawil2002]

Yep, much better!

+1

That's the way to do it.

You have to bolt those posts to the floor.

Do you have wheel dollies to easily turn the car 90 degrees?

Will you have to unbolt one side to get the car in and out?

Sure it's not a big deal since the '02 will spend 4-6 months stored.

Post pics of it installed.

[BrentF]

+1

That's the way to do it. Thanks

You have to bolt those posts to the floor. Yes, 5 bolts/floor anchors per post

Do you have wheel dollies to easily turn the car 90 degrees? Yes, I have 4 of the self-jacking type. They work great.

Will you have to unbolt one side to get the car in and out? Yes, but that's a once a year thing, and will take 5 minutes to perform, as the posts have their own wheels.

Sure it's not a big deal since the '02 will spend 4-6 months stored. Exactly

Post pics of it installed. Will do! Probably a week away from happening.

[Psymon]

Very interested in this. Please keep us posted with pictures when installed.

[jgerock]

Now that you have a lift - I see some old braided fuel line that is under there. Please replace all of it during the hibernation period.

[M3M3]

no need to wait.

lots of pix here, even an install video

http://www.maxjaxusa.com/

google maxjax. tons of links to installed pic, video's, sources. they even sell them at COSTCO.

[BrentF]

no need to wait.

The delay in getting the lift installed relates to the curing time for new concrete, that will be required to level the two posts. The garage floor has a slope to the center, where there is a drain. Presently the two posts are 1" from being level. I plan on cutting out and setting new concrete tomorrow.

[ClayW]

Can you not use the lifts from the side of the car?

Thanks for posing that question. I had determined on paper that this set-up would project the car too far out from the back wall, but never did a mock-up with the actual lift/car. Your question prompted me to do that, and much to my pleasant surprise, this arrangement only projects the car out by an additional 2", so it will work. Thanks!

I'm going on break.