Like most gear heads, I have always wanted a lift. I started looking seriously a few years ago for a nice used one. I finally found a nice one and made the deal. The seller was able to deliver it and I stored it away. The bottoms were rusted so I had some work to do there. Then last weekend my buddies came over and we got it set up. That was a nice feeling. Then I got the wiring and cables sorted out and up it went, and down too! No leaks! That was a great feeling! Now, which project to start on?
I am soooo jealous. Anyone use one of these? I am thinking of buying one. http://www.backyardbuddy.com/lift-accessories.html Mikey
It is a 2 post asymmetrical SPOA7 about 30 years old. It had a good life at a Toyota dealer and now gets to lift real cars, lol. I was worried about the age, but just like old cars, good ones tend to last! That's why I went with quality used vs a new cheap-o unit, too many bad stories about failed welds and bent columns! I am also very pleased with the parts availability and customer service from Rotary.
Congrats on the new lift, im sure you'll be wondering how you went on before hand. One day I'll get one.. Oh yes, it will be mine.. Yes you should!!
I also bought used. Mine dates back to the 80's. Its a Rotary also with a 7500 cap. Redid the seals ,hoses and installed new cables just for piece of mind. Never give it a second thought about being under it. Gonna get a 4 post this summer
We had ten Rotarys at our school. We were very happy with them, and we had a Rotary technician come out once a year to inspect/service them. With kids using the hoists, we could take no chances.
I went off the deep end when I built my three car garage 7 years ago and bought three lifts at the same time, a standard one, and SUV one (slighty higher and longer) and a custom height one of 7'- 2"(86") and even longer to clear the F 250 (6'- 8") and the 1929 Model A Huckster truck also 6'- 8" high. My ceiling is 12' and fluorescent lights take 6". Bought doors that hug the ceiling instead of normal garage doors. Bought my lifts from American Custom Lifts, www.aclifts.com, and paid more than Direct Lift but I wanted the choice of color in the garage and the round columns vs the square ones. They are sold out of California but made 15 miles from me here in Texas so I did not have to pay sales tax since it was a California sale. The sales tax money saved was used to pay the two guys to install them for me. Been very happy with them and use the extra height one more than the other two for maintenance and swapping cars in and out. Photos below only show the regular and SUV installed as we were waiting on the extra height one to be fabricated.
Yup, it was (and is) a great setup. In addition to the 10 Rotarys, we had an alignment rack and three non-lift bays. We also had a small machine shop, parts cleaning facilities, and a separate office. We were either the first or the second fully ASE certified vocational high school program in Massachusetts.
Well, finally got my wagon up on the lift. Had to go through adjusting the cables and bleeding the cylinders. Did my first oil change(Wow, that was easy!), added a rear sway bar(Wow, that was easy!), gonna put the fat front bar on tomorrow. So much better!
Did you buy your sway bar from a parts house or second hand from another GM car? Same question on fat front bar? Thanks
Rear bar is a hellwig 5800, OEM style. Came with grade 8 bolts, etc. Got it new from Streetsideauto.com, but please shop around. Chromoly Steel, 1 in. Went in perfect! Arms were already boxed OEM style with a kit. The front is a stock 80's Firebird ~ 1 1/4" from a junkyard. Very popular switch. Waiting on new Energy Suspensions poly bushings for the end links. Using Energy Suspension Brackets too.
