Thinking about getting a two post lift

[Dean E]

Everyone, I have been thinking about a MaxJax portable two post lift for the garage and shop. This would be a big help in car maintenance and I could then move it to the main shop for doing car restoration work. It gets bolted to the floor and when not in use or I need to move it I can remove the bolts and wheel the posts out of the way. The floor is 6 inch, minimum 3000lb grade with fiberglass mesh in the mix. My concern is the latest MaxJax rating is 7000lbs. Here is what I find from the web for basic empty weight on the 2500 LMM crew cab with the 6.5 ft bed.

5,742 to 6,169 lbs

I did at one time get a load of gravel and weighed in before getting the gravel and I remember with me in it (26 gallon tank back then) 3/4 tank of fuel was about 6200 lbs, that was with the gooseneck hitch installed, I weighed about 300 lbs back then. The mods on the truck now are the S&B 62 gallon tank, and a lift pump. The tank full is about 430 lbs. So I'm thinking the max weight would be around 6600 lbs. Now I don't plan on lifting this truck very high. About a foot is all that I would go for tire rotation, brake and oil changes. No yanking trannies or anything major like that. The cars and project vehicles will all be much less of any concern. Am I asking too much of a 7000 two post lift for what I am wanting to do? Thanks, Dean

 

[TheBac]

Figure 7200# for a typical pre-2011 CC/SB 4x4 truck. Id use a 9000# lift at a minimum.

 

[Dean E]

Figure 7200# for a typical pre-2011 CC/SB 4x4 truck. Id use a 9000# lift at a minimum.

Everything I see for a Z71 2500 4x4 crew cab with the diesel and the 6.5 ft bed is just under 6000 lbs. Where are you getting 7200 lbs? D

 

[gmduramax]

Figure 7200# for a typical pre-2011 CC/SB 4x4 truck. Id use a 9000# lift at a minimum.

X2 especially since these newer lifts are flimsy we have an old 9k at the house and it’s solid.

 

[2004LB7]

Everything I see for a Z71 2500 4x4 crew cab with the diesel and the 6.5 ft bed is just under 6000 lbs. Where are you getting 7200 lbs? D

My 05 RCLB came in at a few lbs shy of 6k lbs. So I'd bet a crew cab would weigh a bit more

My 08 CCLB dually is about 8k.

Tom's recommendation for a 9k is solid advice. You never want to run them at their max all the time

 

[TheBac]

Everything I see for a Z71 2500 4x4 crew cab with the diesel and the 6.5 ft bed is just under 6000 lbs. Where are you getting 7200 lbs? D

Um, because Ive owned one for 20 years, and have actually scaled it more than once. Stripped for drag racing, I was able to get it down to 6400#.

 

[Chevy1925]

It will probably lift it. Where I’d be worried is stability. I have a 9k rotary lift and we use 12k’s at work. There is a NOTICABLE difference in sway and stability putting a truck on one of the 12k vs my 9k. Specially when you can’t reach the front spring hanger with the lift arm but need to go under the frame. Your truck will be borderline if that lift will catch the spring hanger (I don’t know how long the lifting arms are but they vary on mfg and capacity). My wife’s 2020 cc/lb Dmax is 8500lbs and that lift knows it. Ass end get a screw jack under any time I’m doing more than an oil change

In the event you need to do some thing that requires generous influencing (stuck parts) and that lift does in fact lift your truck, I’d invest in some screw jacks like these. One under the front and rear just as stability support.

https://www.amazon.com/Sunex-6811-Short-Underhoist-Stand/dp/B0BTB1Q4NG/ref=asc_df_B0BTB1Q4NG?mcid=c73f17263eff3e879629808aa2645687&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693401379483&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12235619079215966581&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1013452&hvtargid=pla-2014185859320&psc=1

Depending on how much you unbolt those posts, I’d really check the threads in the ground and on the bolt after a few times of install/removal when you are using the lift at its max for that truck.

 

[lutzjk913]

My crew cab long bed is north of 7k if I recall. It’s been a minute though

 

[PureHybrid]

It's not just total weight, most cheaper lifts do not recommend lifting a diesel truck from the extra weight up front. It will overload one pair of arms even though the overall weight is under max.

 

[Dean E]

My 05 RCLB came in at a few lbs shy of 6k lbs. So I'd bet a crew cab would weigh a bit more

My 08 CCLB dually is about 8k.

Tom's recommendation for a 9k is solid advice. You never want to run them at their max all the time

It would rare for me. Like I stated on original thread. This is more for the other vehicles and project cars but I would look at putting the truck on it for tire rotations or brake work. So maybe once a year and then only about a foot off of the ground when I would lift it. D

 

[Dean E]

It's not just total weight, most cheaper lifts do not recommend lifting a diesel truck from the extra weight up front. It will overload one pair of arms even though the overall weight is under max.

Understood, from what I have been reading about the second support or a slight be forward from that on the side runners would be fairly balanced for this truck. D

 

[Dean E]

I see that there is a public weighing station just off of the interstate on the Iowa side from where I live. I think I'll call them tomorrow and see if I can get my truck weight so I know for certain. Dean

 

[Chevy1925]

I see that there is a public weighing station just off of the interstate on the Iowa side from where I live. I think I'll call them tomorrow and see if I can get my truck weight so I know for certain. Dean

Most love’s fuel stations have certified CAT scales you can jump on.

 

[2004LB7]

Many metal recycling places have scalea as does landfills.

 

[JoshH]

There is no way that 7000 lb 2 post lift will safely lift your truck. If you have other vehicles that are the primary use for the lift, great, but don't buy it expecting to use it for your truck.

 

[Bdsankey]

I understand you want to save money but is it really worth risking your life and property? I wouldn't personally buy anything smaller than a 9k symmetric 2 post lift. Is it overkill for swapping tires on a Toyota Camry? Absolutely, but you will NOT be limited and you will be happy when you feel safe working underneath a pickup.

We have a 9k asymmetric lift and 12k symmetric lift at our shop in terms of 2 post lifts. We've had a diesel on our 9k but it is NOT something I would like to do again. That lift has been essentially dedicated to long term jobs or mainly it's used to pick up cabs on HG/engine swap jobs.....

Our symmetric 12k lift has been an absoulte TANK since we opened the doors in 2006 at this location. It's a BendPak commercial duty unit and has paid for itself many many times over. If I recall, the most we've had to do to it was replace main cables and lock cables.

 

[036.6turbo]

I went with a 10k BendPak. My 2015 CCSB is over 7,700#. My kids and grandkids are always in the shop with me. It's just not worth going anywhere close to the limit.

 

[Bdsankey]

I went with a 10k BendPak. My 2015 CCSB is over 7,700#. My kids and grandkids are always in the shop with me. It's just not worth going anywhere close to the limit.

Especially when the cost isn't lightyears different.

 

[Dean E]

Well I will get the truck weighed this afternoon. Does anyone a manufacturer that does a 10K two post lift with cables that run above that fits in a 10.5 ft ceiling? I can find that in setup that has the cables running on the floor but I really want an open floor so I can lift bodies off of car projects and roll them away without having to fight that hump on the floor. Dean

 

[Dean E]

Um, because Ive owned one for 20 years, and have actually scaled it more than once. Stripped for drag racing, I was able to get it down to 6400#.

Well I got the truck to the scales over lunch today and you were spot on! Zero fuel and removing my weight from the scale came out to 7214 lbs. With a full load of fuel (62 gallon S&B tank) that raises it up to 7650 lbs. There is about a 1200 lbs difference between the front and rear axle so CG should be between the front of the front door handle and the side mirrors. Basically just forward of the second support for the factory step rail.

I truly appreciate everyone's input on all of this! Been in aircraft maintenance for 36 years now, actually run my own maintenance department. I still practically learn something new every week and this week was no exception! This is why I do a bunch of research on stuff like this before pulling the trigger.

Now looking at 10K two post lifts. Floor to ceiling is about 11ft 2 inches. I would love to find a 10 k lift with the cables and routing on the top but having no luck with that. Considering a AplusLift. I have one of their motorcycle platform lifts and love the quality and reliability of it. I just don't want the hump on the floor between the posts. It will suck when I lift the bodies off of the frame for car restoration work. I can roll the frame and suspension out easy enough but a rolling stand with the body on it will be a pain. Dean