LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000) Discussion topics related to the 1990 - 2000 Lexus LS400

Car lift

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Old 05-24-11, 09:24 PM
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deanbrown
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Default Car lift

Greetings.

I just wanted to post up here what I use to lift my vehicles for servicing - I don't have room to install a proper 2 or 4 post lift but this certainly comes in handy all the time, even for oil changes. I've had it for 6 years now and use it quite a lot. It pulls out using the compressor trolley stand (and it weighs 1400 lb so that's no easy pull, and it might help if you weight > 200lb!)

It rolls away under a makeshift storage area so it doesn't waste valuable space in the garage. It cost me $1400 new. Plus it's made in America

I can only raise the LS's to 3 feet, but in theory it would lift another foot after that if you had room - you have to watch out that the roof doesn't mash into the garage door or opener. If I close the door, I can lift it fully (it's a double door so I would have to put the car over to one side or the other of the opener).

It's got safety latches (reminds me of a roller coaster ratcheting up the start ramp) so it's pretty safe.
Attached Thumbnails Car lift-p1020996.jpg   Car lift-p1030001.jpg   Car lift-p1030002.jpg   Car lift-p1030003.jpg   Car lift-p1030005.jpg  


Last edited by deanbrown; 05-24-11 at 09:31 PM.
Old 05-24-11, 09:25 PM
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deanbrown
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Some more pics - the wooden planks are to lift the vehicle slightly, otherwise the bottom of the exhaust system can hit the middle part of the lift, which is annoying, but that's the only pita.
Attached Thumbnails Car lift-p1030008.jpg   Car lift-p1030009.jpg   Car lift-p1030010.jpg   Car lift-p1030012.jpg   Car lift-p1030014.jpg  


Last edited by deanbrown; 05-24-11 at 09:29 PM.
Old 05-24-11, 09:26 PM
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deanbrown
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last few pics. Its a Bend Pak MD-6XP.
Attached Thumbnails Car lift-p1030018.jpg   Car lift-p1030020.jpg  

Last edited by deanbrown; 05-24-11 at 09:31 PM.
Old 05-24-11, 09:58 PM
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PureDrifter
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pretty cool

i've been considering picking one of these up for a while now, but if it scrapes on your stock height LS.....
Old 05-25-11, 07:32 AM
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acidfire52
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very cool. I'm with PD, no way I could fit that under my car. lol
Old 05-25-11, 09:47 AM
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deanshark
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Originally Posted by PureDrifter
pretty cool

i've been considering picking one of these up for a while now, but if it scrapes on your stock height LS.....
Another bad thing with lowering your car. It would fit under mine, with the factory air raised up. These things are nice, and well worth the price if ya work on cars alot. I almost bought one from a freind when I had my house with garage. Good thing I didn't or my X would have thrown that away also. What's the weight limit on yours? Best part about it is "Made in America"
Old 05-25-11, 11:31 AM
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Garage7RP
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That is really nice!
Old 05-25-11, 02:01 PM
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when i buy my first house (many years from now given my age and career goals) i'm def having a lift installed....
Old 05-25-11, 05:25 PM
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deanbrown
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The lift is 6000 lb max, though on the phone they tell me it can easily handle 12K, unofficially!

PD what you have to do when you buy your house is factor the lift price into the house price - in other words just get a slightly higher mortgage, it will only run you a few dollars extra a month that way (1.5K per year is $60, or $5/month at 4%). And it will pay for itself by you doing the servicing instead of some monkey out to destroy your car.
Old 05-25-11, 06:50 PM
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I should have gotten one of those years ago...

Have you thought of cutting your floor and pouring a new slab that's a few inches lower? Add a drain for water run off and a plywood door to cover it when it's not in use. Maybe a ramp/slope at the door end so you hook it to a chain if you need to pull it out for cleaning or service.
Old 05-25-11, 10:05 PM
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That is cool. Never seen one like that before.

How much do one of those go for?
Old 05-25-11, 10:28 PM
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deanbrown
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I just checked online and there are a bunch for a round $2K, though I payed 1400 for it 6 years ago. Even amazon sells it:

http://www.amazon.com/BendPak-MD-6XP.../dp/B003HFEA0G

And you get to say cool things to yer buddies - things like "yeah bring it over and we'll put it up on the lift and take a look"
Old 05-26-11, 08:22 AM
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This must be the best part: "yeah bring it over and we'll put it up on the lift and take a look". You must seem like a god to your mechanic friends. I like how ya got the carpet and chairs, it's like being in your living room of your house. I was wondering about how you moved it, now that I see, wow that must take some effort. But I'm sure it's worth it.
Old 05-27-11, 08:26 PM
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Originally Posted by deanbrown3
I just checked online and there are a bunch for a round $2K, though I payed 1400 for it 6 years ago. Even amazon sells it:
Ebay has it for $1900 shipped

http://cgi.ebay.com/BendPak-MD-6XP-6...f#ht_500wt_717

There's a smaller type for $1500

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BEND-...#ht_7186wt_754

There's a lot of Bend Pak stuff on eBay. Everything from rubber pads to a three tier parking lift. They do have smaller units that lift one side of the vehicle and some bike lifts.
Old 06-23-11, 07:47 PM
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deanbrown
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I'm selling this for $1200 if anyone is interested. I will upgrade to a full lift if I can sell this one.

Central NJ, close to Princeton (or Trenton).


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