Questions for 4-post Lift Users/Owners

[DCVING 6]

Awsome to see some progress so soon.

 

[turbojimmy]

Awsome to see some progress so soon.

I have to do it quick before I chicken out. It's a lotta dough.

Jim

 

[turbojimmy]

Here is a link to the opener.. Jackshaft operators, Residential jackshaft door openers, Model 3800

I finished installing this opener today. It's AWESOME. In addition to your recommendation, the installer recommended it too. The way the installer put up the torsion bar I only had about 7 3/8" from the end of the bar to the wall on the left and even less on the right. I told him that I had a 3800 opener and he did the best he could with the space - leaving 1" of bar sticking out on the left side. But....the instructions say you need 8" of clearance and they're right. The installer said the only way to install it would be to loosen up the torsion bar, slide it to the right, put the motor up, and slide the bar back. I said I'd do it myself. He said whatever - see you in a few days when you realize you can't do it yourself.

So, I was determined to do it myself. Long story short installation was easy as I was able to swing the motor in by shaving down the drywall a little bit. The 200W light, backlit wall control, deadbolt and quiet operation are all awesome features of this thing.

Jim

 

[Chrisk]

Looks Great Jimmy. The deadbolt is a nice touch on the opener. Not to mention how quiet it is and how it increases and decreases speed as it opens and closes..

 

[turbojimmy]

It begins.....

Jim

 

[2QUIK6]

Good luck, you'll be sooo happy once its together and wondering why you didn't do that years ago. Not to mention all your car friends will be wanting to come over and use it. This w/e in fact a buddy came over and we put a cat back system on his Charger SRT8..took about 1.5 hours taking our time to remove everything and install the new cat back...and no sore knees from crawling under it

 

[turbojimmy]

Good luck, you'll be sooo happy once its together and wondering why you didn't do that years ago. Not to mention all your car friends will be wanting to come over and use it. This w/e in fact a buddy came over and we put a cat back system on his Charger SRT8..took about 1.5 hours taking our time to remove everything and install the new cat back...and no sore knees from crawling under it

I can't wait 'til it's done.

This thing kicked my a$$ today. My brother was working so he couldn't help. I unloaded the thing off the truck myself. It weighs 2,000 lbs., about half of which is the ramps. I got the skid down to just the ramps and used blocks, 3" PVC pipe and a floor jack to aim it down the ramp on the back of the u-haul. It was frightening at a couple of points but I got it done and returned the truck.

A friend of mine stopped by for a couple of hours and helped out with the heavy lifting but some of the stuff is really too big for even 2 people to move. My friend had one of the column caps slam down and pinch the skin between his thumb and first finger on both hands. He was pretty much done after that. I felt kind of bad.....

I got it to the point where I've bolted the left ramp up which is the hardest because it has the hydraulics and the cable installed in it. The right ramp should have been easy but the forklift operator boogered up the bolts that hold the wooden skids on so they need cut off. When I noticed that problem I packed it in for the night. I'm going to be sore tomorrow but it shouldn't be more than another hour or two of work. Then I can put the Buick back inside. It's sitting outside in the sleet/freezing rain for the first time since I've owned it.

The imperfections in the floor become pretty obvious when you stand 7-foot tall columns up. 3 of the 4 posts are pretty good, but one will probably need shimmed. Once I get that right-side ramp in place I'll know exactly how that column will sit.

Jim

 

[turbojimmy]

Okay - I got it working. Some of the bolt holes for the ramps were off so I had to do some customization. I shoved things around for hours trying to get them to line up before coming to the realization that the problem had to be with the manufacturing not my installation. It didn't make any sense that 3 of 4 bolts would line up but the 4th needed 'clearanced' with a Dremel. Of the 16 bolts, 2 were like this. I got 15 of 16 bolts installed. I screwed one up so I have to go to Lowes to find another like it.

It seems pretty flimsy with no weight on it but once the car is on it it's rock solid. I need to install a shim and anchor kit before I'll feel comfortable parking underneath it. One of the columns has a lean to it. Also, I couldn't get the ramps level per their instructions. When I follow their instructions on adjusting the cables the lift won't lock in the top locks (won't travel high enough). I need to look at a diagram to see where I can compensate. Once I got it to lock in the top locks with no load, it wouldn't lock with the car on it (just in the top). I guess the cables stretch a bit with some weight on it.

Anyway, I need to clean up and call the Rotary rep to get a shim/anchor kit. I'm psyched, though - it fit nice and my measurements were good (both cars will fit).

Pic:

Jim

 

[turbojimmy]

Mission accomplished:

Every muscle in my body aches, including that one that has to do with personal finances. But I'm pretty much done.

Jim

 

[DCVING 6]

Sweet!

Next time the Caddy is out from underneath, if you have time, can you try snapping a pic or two from underneath. I'm wondering how accessable stuff is from underneath. (ie changing exhaust, dropping trans, etc)

 

[Buicksx2]

Jim,

Congrats it looks great.......having a lift in my garage also it is the best money I ever spent you will not regret it.

Best of luck with it.

 

[turbojimmy]

Sweet!

Next time the Caddy is out from underneath, if you have time, can you try snapping a pic or two from underneath. I'm wondering how accessable stuff is from underneath. (ie changing exhaust, dropping trans, etc)

It all looks pretty accessible. I got the guy to throw in the jack tray which will help with stuff where I have to take the tires off. I'll snap some pics in the morning. It's going to be tough to sleep knowing the GN is stacked above the Caddy. It doesn't seem right.....

Jim,

Congrats it looks great.......having a lift in my garage also it is the best money I ever spent you will not regret it.

Best of luck with it.

Thanks Rich. I really needed the space but because I've got a small piece of property I need to go vertical. So the lift helps with storage and for working on the car. As I recall you have the dream garage....plenty of room vertical and horizontal! I appreciate the compliment.

Jim

 

[turbojimmy]

Here are a couple of underneath pics:

Seems to be plenty of clearance to do just about anything.

Jim

 

[TTA197]

Jim, do you remember what your ceiling height is? Pictures look great.

 

[turbojimmy]

Jim, do you remember what your ceiling height is? Pictures look great.

Thanks,

Yes, ceiling height is 127" measured in the middle. It would be slightly more toward the doors and slightly less toward the back because of the slope of the floor (about 1/8" per foot slope). The GN is 55" tall and the Caddy is 57" tall. The max lift on this model is 63" but you have to be careful with that - you might not get all 63" out of it. I'm getting a little under 62" in the top lock by the time I level it because of the slope in the floor. The good thing is that it's not physically possible to jam the Buick into the ceiling. The hydraulics run out of travel at around 64".

I'm still really nervous around it. It just doesn't seem right to have the car up there. I'd like to think that if it were going to fail that it would give me some sort of warning anyway. I'll feel better once I get it bolted down. The Rotary dealer keeps telling me there's no need but I'd feel better with it anchored to the floor.

Jim

 

[turbojimmy]

Okay - one last pic....where's the Buick?

Jim

 

[TurboDave]

Here are a couple of underneath pics:

Seems to be plenty of clearance to do just about anything.

Jim

How's your WBO2 location working out? Looks like it's pointing at the torque converter area. Where did you feed the cable into the cabin?

 

[DCVING 6]

How's your WBO2 location working out? Looks like it's pointing at the torque converter area. Where did you feed the cable into the cabin?

I did mine in a similar location. I ran the cable for the Innovative (LC1) through the hole that the shift linkage comes into the car. The LC1 box was tucked under the carpet under the center counsel. Hidden and protected from water.

 

[Top Speed]

Jim, that looks great. I want to do the same thing!

 

[TurboDave]

I did mine in a similar location. I ran the cable for the Innovative (LC1) through the hole that the shift linkage comes into the car. The LC1 box was tucked under the carpet under the center counsel. Hidden and protected from water.

How in the world did you get at that grommet??? Remove the console??