Member Since: 24 Nov 2012
Location: Essex
Posts: 74
Maxjax portable 2 post lift for body removal
Hi all,
I’m not sure about everyone else, but I’m getting very tired of working on my discos (2005 HSE & 2007 S) and dreaming of lifting the body instead of dropping tools and battering my hands. I plan to keep our discos until death do us part, and I’m putting off jobs now that would be a doddle with a lift.
It seems the same as the ‘maxjax’ which is all over YouTube.
The attraction for me is my double garage has a low ceiling height so having it inside is out of the question, I’ve read the various threads on here about required clearance to roll the chassis out etc, and I think this lift with 1200mm -odd would do the job, but would need to be fitted outside.
The wife would not be amused with a lift permanently fixed down the side of the house, but removable? Now you’re talking!
Has anyone experienced these things in person? The price is £1800 inc VAT with some wiring and groundwork required, which to me sounds pretty reasonable.
Any thoughts? My plan would be to raise body, roll chassis into garage for whatever work is required and drop the body back down on the lift to normal road height so it isn’t too noticeable to the nosy neighbours.
Stu
Edit: included pic to show the garage/area I’m working with
[/img]2006 D3 Zambezi silver, TDV6 Auto
2007 D3 Java Black, TDV6 Auto
2007 D3 Bonatti Grey, TDV6 Auto
10th Aug 2021 5:47 pm
motorworks
Member Since: 14 Nov 2019
Location: Usk
Posts: 412
No experience of the product in question. Maybe ideal for light to medium size cars, under 2 tonnes.
I would be apprehensive about portable /temporary fixing for a vehicle very close to the maximum rated capacity of the lift.
Perhaps you could see one lifting a Disco, before seriously considering purchase.
I use a Dunlop lift securely fixed to the floor and rated at 4 tonnes. I am still wary that these are very heavy vehicles and I have checked axle weights to set the arms for balanced lift.Chris
10th Aug 2021 6:26 pm
KevinD3
Member Since: 05 Aug 2020
Location: Sutton Coldfield
Posts: 1240
I think for what you want to use it for it’ll do the job . Motorworks is right, I wouldn’t trust a 2.7t capacity lift to lift a D3 (there’s a reason we all buy 6 or 8 tonne jacks) but to do body off work you’d have to check but the lifted weight couldn’t be more than 1.5t, if that, the weight is in the chassis.2008 HSE Stornoway Grey
My Wife thinks the D3 is a hobby, The D3 thinks the wife is 💕
10th Aug 2021 6:38 pm
Stu_rs
Member Since: 24 Nov 2012
Location: Essex
Posts: 74
Good point - but my logic was that the body would bring it safely under the danger scales. I wonder what the weight of the body is, and if it’s more than some small cars complete.2006 D3 Zambezi silver, TDV6 Auto
2007 D3 Java Black, TDV6 Auto
2007 D3 Bonatti Grey, TDV6 Auto
10th Aug 2021 6:49 pm
motorworks
Member Since: 14 Nov 2019
Location: Usk
Posts: 412
If you use it only to lift the body, which is around 1200kg, you would be well under capacity. However, there is another consideration.
A D3 or D4 body is very tail heavy. I recorded the weights somewhere. I use sill ends for body lift, which works fine but I know the balance point is some way rear of the lift posts.
Body only weight 1189kg
Front 443kg_____ 37%
Rear 746kg______63%Chris
Last edited by motorworks on 10th Aug 2021 7:10 pm. Edited 1 time in total
10th Aug 2021 6:58 pm
ds23man
Member Since: 19 Jan 2013
Location: Ainum
Posts: 227
This will not work if you want to roll the chassis under the body, not enough clearance.Citroen DS23IE
Audi A6 2.4 V6 Avant Quatro (1998)
Audi 80 2.6 v6 Cabriolet (1996)
John Deere 4240S
McCormick 323
10th Aug 2021 7:05 pm
Stu_rs
Member Since: 24 Nov 2012
Location: Essex
Posts: 74
Thanks Motorworks, great knowledge.
Ds23man, I’ve just gone back to the thread I was looking at (https://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic188121...ift+height) and it was actually Motorworks that said that it’s theoretically possible with 100cm clearance. But I’d hate to buy the lift, do the associated work and find out the chassis won’t come out, so interested to discuss your experience of clearance requirements.
Member Since: 14 Nov 2019
Location: Usk
Posts: 412
already foundChris
10th Aug 2021 9:16 pm
charlietortoise
Member Since: 29 Oct 2011
Location: Staffordshire
Posts: 502
Just a thought
What about putting the car on 19" wheels with no tyres. That should give you another 100mm or so?Discovery 4 3.0 HSE 2010 year. I like it a lot. Now with winch 😂
And if you put the Disco in off road height and use some blocks on the arms, you'd get more clearance still by dropping the chassis to the bumpstops to roll it clear..
Dean
====================================
2011 D4 XS - OBD port protection, RLD spare wheel protector, All LED interiors lights, Timed Climate enabled, iiD tool paired.
2011 D4 Landmark - Stolen from same dealer before I paid for it
2011 D4 GS - Stolen whilst at dealer ... All LED interiors lights, DRLs, Spare Wheel protector.
1996 300Tdi - Eaten by tin worms
11th Aug 2021 4:15 pm
ds23man
Member Since: 19 Jan 2013
Location: Ainum
Posts: 227
The heigher you put the disco, the less effective clearence you will have on the post. Don't forget the chassis will raise if you take the body off.....Citroen DS23IE
Audi A6 2.4 V6 Avant Quatro (1998)
Audi 80 2.6 v6 Cabriolet (1996)
John Deere 4240S
McCormick 323
if you let the air out of the suspension, it should drop.
11th Aug 2021 4:32 pm
motorworks
Member Since: 14 Nov 2019
Location: Usk
Posts: 412
There is a way to effectively increase the lift height by a small amount, say 10cm. This would require a packing beam under each sill, preferably fastened to the lift legs or sills. I do not recommend this, but it might make the project viable.
Lowering the chassis would allow clearance for wheeling out, but for refitting I would try to keep some ground clearance to line up the mounting points. This is easier if the chassis is raised a bit.
Another point to consider ...
Fixed lifts require sound concrete base /floor and high tensile anchor bolts. Your outside preparation may be far more involved than you expect.Chris
Last edited by motorworks on 16th Aug 2021 3:24 pm. Edited 1 time in total
11th Aug 2021 8:55 pm
Stu_rs
Member Since: 24 Nov 2012
Location: Essex
Posts: 74
I’m leaning towards a traditional 2 post lift to avoid faffing about with clearance issues, but more importantly stability. Motorworks - your point about the body being tail heavy has struck a cord and has me a little worried.
I’m not overly concerned about ground prep - I’m comfortable with dropping in reinforced concrete. The area is already solid concrete slab (the previous owner of the house had a thing for tracked military vehicles apparently; yes, really) but I’d depth test and replace accordingly anyway.
Here’s the area beside the garage, excuse the lawnmower - ramp would go roughly where the Jaguar s type is (yes it’s a 2.7 TDV6 :
2006 D3 Zambezi silver, TDV6 Auto
2007 D3 Java Black, TDV6 Auto
2007 D3 Bonatti Grey, TDV6 Auto
16th Aug 2021 10:04 am
IanMarsh
Member Since: 21 Jul 2020
Location: Newmarket
Posts: 55
motorworks wrote:
If you use it only to lift the body, which is around 1200kg, you would be well under capacity. However, there is another consideration.
A D3 or D4 body is very tail heavy. I recorded the weights somewhere. I use sill ends for body lift, which works fine but I know the balance point is some way rear of the lift posts.
Body only weight 1189kg
Front 443kg_____ 37%
Rear 746kg______63%
Definitely worth considering however I wouldn't think twice about lifting something like a VW Golf on a lift like this and they weigh a little more than a Disco body and they have a 60/40 weight distribution. My 2 pennies worth!
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... All LED interiors lights, DRLs, Spare Wheel protector.
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