Most liked posts in thread: New "accessory" for the MINI!

OK guys, the lift arrived today! Several pics below.

It came packed in two boxes that weighed about 60 pounds each. The boxes probably weighed 50 pounds each after all the enormous tire busting staples were removed.

Once we opened up the boxes, the lift parts were all shrink-wrapped. One all that was peeled off, we had all the parts freed up.

Assembly was straightforward and simple. Just bolt on the low clearance wheel kit and the crossbars.

If you have room, you just roll it under the car and lift. If you're like me and space challenged, you slide the lift over so you straddle one of the lifting arms and drive over the crossbars. The low clearance wheel kit allows you to drive over the crossbars without causing any damage. This is an upgrade worth getting.

I tried lifting the Honda (beater) first because it needed an oil change anyway. They are NOT kidding about needing a high quality drill to lift a car. I have an Old Milwaukee 3/8" drill that was given to me about 20 years ago. It couldn't cut the mustard. Tomorrow, I'm getting a 1/2" Old Milwaukee Magnum Holeshooter. If you get one of these, DO NOT get cheap on the drill. I really like my shop, and I've got some cool stuff in it, but it's pitifully small and cramped. If you're space constrained, this lift is really cool. I wish I'd bought this years ago.

One of the pics shows a comparison of how much higher this is than jack stands.

Rawhyde gives this two thumbs up!

 

More pix

 

A few more...

 

The instructions warn you not to use an impact wrench. There are two precision gearboxes and long acme threaded drive screws. Impact wrenches will damage those really fast. You need power, but smooth continuous rotation to make it work. A powerful drill with an extra handle would make this a lot easier to use.

 

Thanks for putting up an answer to his question so quickly! I've been working a lot of overtime and probably would have taken a few more days to get to it.

I'm glad this thread got brought back to life. The EZ Car Lift ain't the world's ultimate lift since it lifts to only 26", but for those of us with a small shop; they're great.

I use mine all the time for oil changes, brake jobs, etc. I have also rebuilt the suspension on my MINI and replaced all of the HVAC on my beater Honda.

The advantage of this type lift is that it breaks into 4 parts in <5 minutes, and it's easy to haul to another location. The MINI can carry it just fine. It also stores away easily when it's not needed.

Being an engineer with a DIY mentality, I really like it that you're buying from the actual inventor. Unlike a lot of things we buy, the guy who "thunk it up" actually gets to cash in. (I hope something similar happens to me one day...)

I used my shop for many years without electricity. Just a drop cord running from the house. Once I wired it, I started doing other improvements... I added good lighting, central compressed air lines with overhead reel, forced air gas heat, a roll up door, air conditioning, and the lift. It took several years to do all that work, but the improvements I've made have been money well spent. I don't regret any of it.

If you get one, let us know what you think!

 

Thanks Firebro! I've really enjoyed my MINI. It's a little bit brash looking, but it's a lot of fun.

I'm going out to my shop to straighten up a bit. According to Fed Ex, the lift has made it to the City of Industry, and it's on its way to Georgia!

If I can get it halfway presentable, I'll snap some pix. I'm afraid I'll have to start a Packrat's Lair thread rather than add to the Garage Thread!

 

I gave $2037 for it with the low clearance wheels, hockey pucks, and an extra bottle of lube. Don't forget to factor in about $150 for an INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH drill.