Never trust the salesman

Dusty · Dec 16, 2006

I finally finished the assembly of my 4 post lift and once I got the stubborn nut problem resolved, it all went well. The lift works great, but there is only one problem. I told the salesman that the car had a 144.5 inch wheelbase and he said that it would fit fine. When I put the car on the lift, with the front tires touching the stops, the rear wheels are still holding the ramps from dropping down to create the rear safety stops. In other words, it is a few inches too short. I know that it will do no good to complain to the company, because I should have researched this on my own, rather than trusting the salesman. I am willing to take a loss on it, since it won't accommodate my vehicle. Anyone in New England want a great deal on a new 9000 pound 4 post lift? 45 minutes drive from Hartford CT or Providence RI.
Dusty

DieselPower · Dec 16, 2006

Having only ever owned 2 post above ground, 2 post in ground lifts and a 4 independant movable column type heavy truck lift I'm not sure I understand what's happening with your 4 post lift. Could you by chance take a picture of what's causing the problem. Might be able to figure out a way to make it work if I could see what the problem is. It sucks your having problems with your new toy. Like most thing's in life, some salesman are good, some arn't. Looks like you got one that didn't know the spec's of the lift he sold you.

jpm · Dec 16, 2006

I'd make a phone call monday after things settle down and you can talk calmly
even though you would love to !@%$ to the salesman

Dusty · Dec 16, 2006

This is the second one that I purchased from the salesman. I purchased one that was supposed to be the wide version, but upon starting to put it together, I realized that it was wrong. I returned it to there warehouse and they then ordered the correct wide one for me from the manufacturer. This is the one that I received. It is my own fault for not checking the specifications closer myself, but I figured that if the wheel base was 144.5 inches and the runways were 164 inches, that it gave me 20 inches to spare. I forgot to take into consideration the diameter of the tires. I have no one to blame but my self for not checking, and I know that they will not take this one back, so I just have to take the loss and find someone else that can use it. When it comes to 4 post lifts, if it weren't for bad luck, I wouldn't have any luck at all.

Dusty

DieselPower · Dec 16, 2006

I'm even more lost now. Wheel base is measured from center to center of the front and rear axles/ground contact area. If your lift's runways are 164" why doesn't your 144.5" car fit on it? The diameter of the tire has no effect on wheel base, only the heigth of the vehicle. If you stuck 100 inch tall tires (stretching the imagination a little) on your car the wheel base would still be the same. It would only make it set higher off the ground. If your car has a tire contact distance of 144.5" then you should have room to spare.

RonMar · Dec 16, 2006

Perhaps you can extend the front runway bumpstop to allow you to clear the rear ramps when they tilt up. Or you could make the rear ramps removeable and add a hand installed rear bump stop that will keep the vehicle from rolling off the back. You might also be able to shorten the top of the drive up ramps so they clear your tires and still function as rear stops as designed.

Seems a shame to have to modify it, but you have invested a lot of your time in getting it twice and assembling it, with so much already invested in it, modification might be the most cost effective way to deal with it. You did ask the saleseman and he said yes it would accomidate a 144" wheelbase. He probably looked at the specs and didnt realize 164" length and being able to fit a 144' wheelbase are not the same thing. That is his mistake not yours. A descent company would take it back, but it is still a lot of effort to return it and only moderate effort to modify it safely to fit your world, provided all the other parameters meet your need.

Good Luck.

DieselPower · Dec 16, 2006

I think this is starting to make a little more sense now. Your problem isn't the wheel base, it's that the length of your vehicle is to long, correct? Where are the stops at the front of the lift? At the very front or a couple of inch's back from the front edge. What get's in the way at the back? Are the ramps attached to your lift and sping up or down when the lift is raised?

I agree with RonMar. With the time you have invested in this thing I think I would be looking for a way to do some modifications (safely that is) to make it work.

3RRL · Dec 16, 2006

if it weren't for bad luck, I wouldn't have any luck at all.
Good old Albert King ...
I'm sorry to hear about your lift Dusty, especially after all that trouble you had with the bad threads on the cylinder. I hope you will at least call them to try to get them to replace your lift. They really should do it.
Good luck man, you seem to need some.

scott_vt · Dec 16, 2006

Good Evening Dusty,
Well maybe I missed it but I cant see why they wouldnt take the lift back especially if your buying another correct lift from the same company ? Its a brand new lift that hasnt been used ! Get a sales rep out to your place that knows what the heck he is doing, have him take the measurements that are important and order the unit that you need ! Or am I missing something like the fine print?

In any event good luck with the outcome !