28 replies to this topic

[finch661]

I have been thinking about getting a car lift/ adjustable ramps, after struggling for room underneath the car.

 

This looks really good => http://www.carlift-ramp-mr1.com/ i like the concept of it, and looks a bit safer than axle stands. Has anyone got one on here? At £1k, is very expensive for what it is (though i appreciate the r&d costs, liability, promotion etc.), but it does look like something that can be made at home?

 

i have also seen these =>http://www.cjautos.e...duct_p/cr02.htm which look great, and would give a lot of room, especially if you buy 4

 

the best i have seen are these - http://www.clubcobra...50-00-look.html again i live the idea that these can be simply made, but i wouldnt want to be under a car supported by wood...

 

just wondering what other people are using - i have standard ramps and axle stands as well

 

thanks

 

 

[Dzmarc]

I was looking at a lot of these myself, but always thought it would be better to go for a full lift as I have some room at the side of the house, and i've seen some 2 post lifts for about £1600 brand new. 

 

I wouldn't discount wood to much though, it is a very solid material. I always put some on top of my axle stands, and you wouldnt see scaffolding and the like made from wood if it was that prone. Just need to buy the correct wood and ideally if you are not doing solid boxes, have the grain the opposite way to that of the car (if making hollow boxes).

 

Intrigued to see what other people use.

Edited by Dzmarc, 13 August 2015 - 07:25 AM.

[Guess-Works.com]

two posts are a lot cheaper than that...

 

I bought, had it delivered and installed including VAT for £1150 3 to 4 years ago... worth their weight in gold...

 

these guys..

 

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item35ea56e11b

[finch661]

Cheers for the replies. I would love a two post lift, but it would not fir in my wee garage, hence the appeal of the mk1 car lift. 

 

As for wood, you are totally right, i dont know why but it just seems wrong (too used to metal).  i have seen this as well - these look the business! would be tempted, but storage would be an issue and i would want to use it for my volvo v50 as well...(http://corvettec3.ca/ramps.htm)

[rally1380]

Errmmmm.....what is wrong with using wood?  Houses are made of the stuff and they weight a fair bit more than a 600Kg mini.  Made right, (even using softwood available from your local DIY place), a timber structure would easily support a car.  Thinking it has to be hardwood just shows a misunderstanding of the material....softwoods are bloody strong if used right.  The corvette one above is softwood and OSB sheet (not exactly cutting edge plywood either!) and does the job nicely.....metal is only as good as your welding too!!!....suppose wood is only as good as the joints, but either way timber 'wood' be ok if used right.

 

 

Anyway, back to the OP's suggestions....

 

The first ramp is really simple - but where the hell does £1000 come in?  You could make that for a couple of hundred quid (if that.) For a grand I want a hydraulic jack system to be included so you can pump away and level the car up without the need for a jack.

 

For the average hobby mechanic, a decent high lift trolley jack and 4 decent axel stands is all you need - easy to use, and easy to store away. Any large ramp system would just be a P.I.T.A to store and you'll end up 'not' using it 99% of the time.....waste of money.

[bob540]

How about a scissor type lift? http://m.ebay.co.uk/...8295?nav=SEARCH
You don't need to have a high ceiling and it'd be easier to move it if you needed too, even has a mini on it in the ad

[Lt-SilverDragon]

I seen a forum thread on a different car forum where the guy had like those adjustable ramps that you drove on but it was like a single car jack in the middle so it lifted up both wheels at the same time and then I think you could lock them as well. I've looked before but couldn't find them again.

[minisilverbullet]

You can't remove the wheels in any of the ramps you link, without the help of an additional Jack. To me that defeats the purpose of a lift. 9 times out of 10 I have a car in the air it is to do with something which needs the wheels taking off. 

 

how about something like this - http://www.ebay.co.u...=item43dfc6659a

[CityEPete]

This is mine, CJ autos tilting lift. Goes twice as high as it is in the picture, if you tilt it the rear wheels come to chest height! Bit tricky to get under, a pit that drops it into the floor would be good.

[Spider]

I have to say, there aren't too many jobs on a Mini that I feel really warrant a lift, I have the opportunity to have one, but from past workshop experience, I just found them too slow and less convenient that working off stands, sure for something like exhausts, they are the bee's knee's but there,s little else under (right under) a Mini that you need to get at. Working off the workshop floor, you have a handy place to put your tools and parts (the floor!) as well as a handy place to put a jack if you need to lift something (eg, lift a top arm so you can get the top ball joint pin out, or lift a subframe in to position etc). I did try ramps a few times, but found 95% of the time, the ramp itself was in the way. Most jobs that I seem to do that need the vehicle to be elevated are suspension, steering (to a lesser degree) and/or brakes, just about all the bits you need to get at are on the corners of the car, but not really 'under'.

 

Anyway, that's just my views, based on my own experience.

 

In regards to lifts though, I wouldn't even look at a 4 poster, the 2 posters are the go as more than 99% of the under vehicle is left clear.

Edited by Moke Spider, 12 August 2015 - 08:40 PM.

[Guess-Works.com]

There's very little I do to a mini without using the lift. Even if I'm just doing a service, it's on the lift, simply because I'm getting old and there's nothing worse than sitting on a cold concrete floor.

[finch661]

Errmmmm.....what is wrong with using wood?  Houses are made of the stuff and they weight a fair bit more than a 600Kg mini.  Made right, (even using softwood available from your local DIY place), a timber structure would easily support a car.  Thinking it has to be hardwood just shows a misunderstanding of the material....softwoods are bloody strong if used right.  The corvette one above is softwood and OSB sheet (not exactly cutting edge plywood either!) and does the job nicely.....metal is only as good as your welding too!!!....suppose wood is only as good as the joints, but either way timber 'wood' be ok if used right.

 

 

Anyway, back to the OP's suggestions....

 

The first ramp is really simple - but where the hell does £1000 come in?  You could make that for a couple of hundred quid (if that.) For a grand I want a hydraulic jack system to be included so you can pump away and level the car up without the need for a jack.

 

For the average hobby mechanic, a decent high lift trolley jack and 4 decent axel stands is all you need - easy to use, and easy to store away. Any large ramp system would just be a P.I.T.A to store and you'll end up 'not' using it 99% of the time.....waste of money.

@Rally1380 haha, i know wood is fine, i know houses are built from it (in my timber framed house as we speak), i cant help but think of bendy wood lol. 

In terms of the first ramp, i would be tempted to build my own - it deosnt look to hard/difficult to design - yeah £1,000 seems quite a lot!  I have a trolley jack, axle stands and ramps, which has worked for the last few years on the mini, but seem to be doing more and more on my other car (volvo). its not as forgiving as the mini!

 

This is mine, CJ autos tilting lift. Goes twice as high as it is in the picture, if you tilt it the rear wheels come to chest height! Bit tricky to get under, a pit that drops it into the floor would be good.

That is epic - but again is it not about £1k? i like that deign, as you can get under the car easily enough and you are able to move the wheels etc.

 

There's very little I do to a mini without using the lift. Even if I'm just doing a service, it's on the lift, simply because I'm getting old and there's nothing worse than sitting on a cold concrete floor.

Yeah i agree about the concrete - and im not that old. The main thing for me is having enough room to remove bits from the underside (again not just the mini, volvo, i have an mg midget as well). hate having the car an inch from my face whilst trying to undo a bolt!

[finch661]

these look interesting  http://www.restorati...document&part=2 but they would be the size of my garage

[henryS]

I've seen the following here and thought they looked rather good...may have a go at making myself a set.  

 

 

EDIT: Darn you just beat me to it finch661!

Edited by henryS, 13 August 2015 - 08:45 AM.

[finch661]

I've seen the following here and thought they looked rather good...may have a go at making myself a set.  

 

 

EDIT: Darn you just beat me to it finch661!

haha great minds!

 

Problem with these is that they take up a huge space! ok for a workshop though! i think the guy wants £27 for the plans....