Using A A Garage Lift?

s2per · January 30, 2008

I'm getting ready to buy and install a 8000# rated 2-post lift in my garage. I'll mostly use it for my 2 cars, but I wondered if anyone has one that they're using with their 1500 extended cab pickup.

Is balancing easily done? A 4,800# truck is over twice the weight of my old 911, so does the truck seem stable when up in the air? Is it worth even getting the truck off the ground for oil changes (which I do now without a jack)? Thanks, any input is appreciated.

pm26 · January 30, 2008

If your lift is rated for at least 5k lbs, then the weight of your truck will not be an issue. The bigger issue will be centering the truck properly on the lift so you avoid excessive moment on the posts. When you lift these trucks by the frame, there is a large overhang in both front and rear, so placement of the lift pads in proper locations on the frame is important to minimize the moment net difference on the lift posts.

c4cruiser · January 30, 2008

Automotive shop equipment vendors have screw jacks that can be used at the rear of the truck to stabilize it.

In our shop we lift large pickups (such as 3/4 ton crew cabs with 8 foot beds) using a 2-post lift (although a higher capacity) and then the service tech places a screw jack on the rear crossmember at the bumper or on a trailer hitch. That keep sthe truck from rocking for and aft. These jacks are not too expensive and are easily stored out of the way when not in use.

Zembonez · January 30, 2008

We lift crewcabs all the time with our two post lifts doing suspension lifts, etc... Very safe and sound too. They key is balance (and of course a lift rated for the weight which you already have covered).

Keeping in mind that a lot more weight is up front, you'll be able to set the truck up so that it is very stable. Might take a few tries but you'll be able to tell when it is centered correctly. If you have too much truck up front, you can probably lift the rear off of the pads by hand!

sillyazz · January 30, 2008

Automotive shop equipment vendors have screw jacks that can be used at the rear of the truck to stabilize it.

In our shop we lift large pickups (such as 3/4 ton crew cabs with 8 foot beds) using a 2-post lift (although a higher capacity) and then the service tech places a screw jack on the rear crossmember at the bumper or on a trailer hitch. That keep sthe truck from rocking for and aft. These jacks are not too expensive and are easily stored out of the way when not in use.

Same here.