Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi all anyboby got or has used a scissor lift they look ok but not sure about accsess to exhaust

George

Don't think it will help as not available in the UK but I expect to purchase:
http://www.bendpak.com/Shop-Equipment/Q ... 000XL.aspx

Some point in the near future. Won't cover the exhaust in anyway, should be able to lift all my cars, can be moved out of the way to use garage and can move it out to the drive way. A little cheaper than a lot of scissor lifts too.

It does depend on which / who's scissor lift you get. I recently had a browse of a scissor lift next to a 2-post lift while my Plus 2 was on a rolling road.

Thoughts from the proprietor were that the scissor lifts could be set into the ground, effectively unseen and giving nothing to drive over. Great for GT3 cars with low spoilers / splitters.
Downside was access to underneath - the type I saw had a scissor each side - slightly restricted access due to the cross brace at front and rear, couldn't walk under from the sides and could 't weld sills, etc (less of an issue in a Elan though !).

His conclusion was horses for courses, and he had both and used the lift which was most appropriate For the task in hand.

For me, while I loved the 'disappearing' nature of the scissor lift, on balance I would get a 2-post as I see it as more flexible.
Peter

After a lot of thought I opted for a two post lift , I have tried my Porsche and Escort on it no problem, as you can see I don't have a lot of head room but it's better than all that messing about with trolley jacks and stands

Jon.ford wrote:After a lot of thought I opted for a two post lift , I have tried my Porsche and Escort on it no problem, as you can see I don't have a lot of head room but it's better than all that messing about with trolley jacks and stands

Hi Jon
Would you mind posting some pics of where you place the pads to pick up the car with the two post hoist please. I am considering a hoist but leaning to a 4 post as the Elan seems so tricky to pick up, a two post would take up less room though.

Cheers JB

I place the arms at the end of the sills as it happens my roll bar is above the floor on both ends. I did think about making some long plywood packers to spread the weight but it all worked okay without and my chassis didn't fall off the body.
If you search the forum you will find a a very long thread on lifts in tools section I think.

Thanks Jon - will take a look

JB,
I went through the same thought process as you and wasn't totally convinced about a two post lift. Luckily I have loads of space in the garage so purchased a 4 post hydraulic lift - from a local garage actually that was closing. In addition the ramp has a rolling two arm trolley jack (called a Yankee I think) that runs on rails between the two ramp platforms so that gives me the option of lifting any corner off the ground whilst at least two wheel remain on the ramp.

Given that you have space, go with what you will be happy with.

Cheers

Martin B

Cheers Martin,

I think I'll go 4 post when I buy too. The type of hoist you describe with the rolling cross bar jacks is the other type I have been considering too as that will,also suit the Elise.

Cheers JB