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Posted by: draganc Dec 7 2020, 01:13 PM

Hello folks,

Just a few FYI only pics of my 7000 type quick jack.

It’s slightly longer than the 5000 but it fits just nicely
under a teener and lifts the car about 12” of the ground,
with the medium and tall rubber blocks.

Not a endorsement per se for QJ and there are also other
compact lifts, but if you do any work on cars you do want
one of them!

I was first reluctant to spend the $1200 (HD had a special,
with $300 off) but now I could kick my a$$ for not having
bought it sooner, like years sooner.

Happy wrenching fellas!

Posted by: Olympic 914 Dec 7 2020, 01:27 PM

Caution using both sets of rubber blocks.

I had my car shift, and almost fall off using both. I have since cut blocks of wood that fit inside the trays and no longer worry about the rubber blocks shifting.

I never use the rubber blocks anymore.

Posted by: draganc Dec 7 2020, 01:40 PM

Thanks for the note! Do you have a 5000 or 7000 model and how/why did your car shift!

I raised the lift, with both blocks, just about a 1/4 before it touched the body’s lifting dough nuts, aligned them center on the blocks and lifted it all they way without movement.

I did however notice that the front of the lift engage about 3/4” early than the rear.

Posted by: mepstein Dec 7 2020, 02:29 PM

Anytime I use a lift, I lift the car a couple inches off the ground and then push and shove each end of the car. I also don’t use a breaker bar on the lift. Just impact wrenches.

Posted by: kroelofsen Dec 7 2020, 02:32 PM

Envy... Nice lift!

Posted by: iankarr Dec 7 2020, 02:36 PM

I only needed to see my car jump once on the lift (also a QJ) when trying to use a breaker bar on a stuck axle nut. Never again. Congrats on the QJ BTW. I love mine. Really great solution if you don't have a high enough ceiling in your carage for a 4 post. And I just use the one set of taller rubber blocks. Lifts plenty high enough to drop the engine and do pretty much anything else. Be safe and enjoy...

Posted by: drem914 Dec 7 2020, 02:49 PM

Agree, We also use it for our Boxster and BMW 328I for oil changes, all with the tall blocks.

Posted by: draganc Dec 7 2020, 02:55 PM

100%

Posted by: Cairo94507 Dec 7 2020, 03:51 PM

Absolutely. I always lift it off the ground a few inches and then walk around the car pulling and pushing on all 4 corners. Safety first.

Posted by: jim_hoyland Dec 8 2020, 05:25 AM

Nice piece of equipment What does each side weigh ? How do you store them when not in use; and, how are they raised ?

Posted by: mlindner Dec 8 2020, 05:37 AM

any chance that is high enough to pull engine.

Posted by: iankarr Dec 8 2020, 07:39 AM

Yep. Just pull off the rear valance. Easy.

Posted by: bdstone914 Dec 8 2020, 07:56 AM

Make sure when lowering the car that both release catches are pulled. I was doing a demo of one in a parking lot that was not entirely flat. One catch was not pulled and the BMW quickly started to list to one side. Would not have been a good demo to put a nice BMW on its side.

Posted by: wobbletop Dec 8 2020, 08:47 AM

I've had one for a while.

Each side is maybe 80lb? You wouldn't want to carry them around too long, but they have roller wheels on one end so you don't have to lift them.

They stay beside my car all summer since I'm always changing wheels/brakes. They are not very high to step over. In the winter, once the winter tires are on, I just lean them up against the garage wall.

There is a separate hydraulic pump with dry fit connections. If the car is going to be on the lift for a while, I'll disconnect the hoses so I'm not stepping over them all the time.

I love mine. Got them on sale at Costco.

Posted by: drem914 Dec 8 2020, 09:21 AM

I got them there last summer during a clearance. Mine stay under my car in the center when not in use, but you can get wall hooks to hang them on if you want. I have an area marked out with tape for storage) Very handy and sturdy. @http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=643 call me and I can go through any question you might have.

Posted by: 930cabman Dec 8 2020, 09:50 AM

Great reminder, habits can be good or not good. I have tried to develop the same, always give the car on the lift a good shake when it's a couple inches off the floor and never a breaker bar. Safety first, especially when under a 2000+ car

Posted by: MM1 Dec 8 2020, 11:23 AM

Can anyone compare the QJ to the EZ Car lift?

Posted by: VaccaRabite Dec 8 2020, 12:08 PM

EZ Car lifts a little higher (26 inches)
Quick Jacks seem more stable.

I'll take strength and stability over 6 inches of lifting.

That said, I've used Quick Jacks, I've only seen EZ Car demoed.

In the end I bought a MaxJax 2 post on a black friday special last year. Its been world changing for my auto hobby.

Zach

Posted by: 914werke Dec 8 2020, 12:20 PM

@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=1435 Zach can you opine on the ease or speed of setup on the MaxJack(MJ) vs the QuickJack (QJ)?
I think for the $ the QJ is GREAT & damn speedy to get a car up on compared to comparable height Jack stands. I just wish it was a bit taller.
I was looking hard at a set of MJ's. Did you mount them permanently?

Posted by: MM1 Dec 8 2020, 12:27 PM

Thanks, Zach - appreciate your impressions.

Posted by: wes Dec 8 2020, 12:33 PM

I simply push each one to the center of the car for storage with the controller and pump to the rear as it sets a bit higher. One of the best tools in the garage and very safe if using properly.

Posted by: yeahmag Dec 8 2020, 12:35 PM

Anybody using these outdoors? I don't have a garage and would need to either leave them out or set them up and tear them down everytime. Just curious if that's harder or easier than using a jack and jack stands.

Posted by: VaccaRabite Dec 8 2020, 01:05 PM

The first time you set up Quick Jacks, it will take an hour or two to put everything together and get your car in the air. I did this with Matt Plaskett several years ago, it was fun. I damn near bought a set as soon as I got home. If you don't think you want a 2 post lift, BUY THE QUICK JACKS! You will not be disappointed. Its more then enough height to get anything you want to get done on your 914 - and its really stable. Fantastic product.

All that said, I'm glad I spent the money and bought the MaxJax. And if my ceilings were higher, I would have bought a 9 foot 2post lift over the MaxJax.

I am just over 10 feet to the bottom of my joists. I can raise the 914 all the way up and not hit the ceiling. I can also raise my 4 runner all the way up and have about an inch to spare with the MaxJax. It. Is. Awesome! It may be the best tool I have ever bought for a car hobby, and I wish I had bought it 10 years ago. It is VERY stable. Any sports car is an afterthought on it. The position locks are crude but very strong and foolproof. You put a steel rod through holes in the frame and let the lift body sit on it. There are no ratchets that you would find on a commercial lift.

The MaxJax comes in a big crate on a pallet and it weighs a LOT. I set it up single handed over a weekend. It required renting a good hammer drill and bits - don't even consider trying to install this with a common battery handheld hammer drill. You are boring 7/8 inch holes into reinforced concrete - rent the right tools.

Honestly, the hardest part of installing the MaxJax was the mental part of laying out the anchors. It has to be square, or it will bind. I used string chalk lines to layout where everything was going to go, and checked it by driving the cars I wanted to lift between my markings on the floor - and then double checking by putting the posts into position for a mock up.

The second hardest part was unpacking it. They bolt the parts into the crate, and some of the bolts are hard to find. I'm fairly strong and a hidden lag screw had me questioning the usefulness of my lifting regimen. Once that is done, its just moving things around and making leverage your bitch in order to move the heavy stuff into position. Or be smarter then me and give beer to friends so they will help.

With my MaxJax I set it up at (IIRC) 110 inches between the posts. Which is perfect for the 914, and I can get the 4Runner in there too - but I have to go out the back hatch. I eventually want to buy more anchors and put in another set of mounts so I can increase the width between centers.. Not at all hard, but I also have not done it yet.

Mine was the 1st gen MaxJax with only 2 locking points and not 6 like they have now. I did find an error in the instructions on laying out the anchors - so use common sense and mock that up before you start drilling holes.

Once using the MaxJax, the one thing you will wish is that the lines that run from the motor unit to the jack posts were about 4-6 feet longer. They work as is, but on larger vehicles (like my 5th gen 4Runner) the hydraulic lines get in the way sometimes. Its a small gripe - but its a gripe.

You can not get a 914 on to the pads of the MaxJax if you have the risers in place, and the risers are the difference between bumping my head on the engine cross bar and getting oil in my hair while rolling around on my stool. It is a very small price to pay, and one day I'll just get a slightly lower rolling stool.

So there is my opine on the two systems.

The Quick Jacks are really good, strong products easy to set up and easy to store.
The MaxJax is just better, though heavier and harder to store out of the way.

Zach

Posted by: iankarr Dec 8 2020, 01:58 PM

Great summary of the max jax, Zach.

Here's a QJ setup video I made a few years ago....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U80_ymI9IPk&t=119s&ab_channel=IanKarr

Posted by: draganc Dec 8 2020, 08:11 PM

The manual clearly stated it’s for indoor only and shall not be exposed to the elements.
I don’t see a particular reason not to use it outside as long as your work area is flat and sturdy.

Posted by: bdstone914 Dec 8 2020, 08:22 PM

@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=3946

I think you wiuld want to keep the controls in a waterproof container. I bet the manufactuter says indoor use as the potential for rust could cause a part to fail. Coveribg the ramps with a trap would keep junk off of the hydraulic cylinders.

Posted by: Freezin 914 Dec 8 2020, 09:32 PM

Had a mid rise scissor lift, It was to tall to park over without ramps, to big to move around easily. It would be perfect if I had a permanent place to leave it. I ended up selling it. Just bought the QJ On Black Friday, chose it over the ez based on cost alone. Wanted the max jack, but didn’t want to drill into the concrete. Waiting on delivery.

Posted by: 913B Dec 8 2020, 09:49 PM

Some tips and request if I may.

1. Don't lift them higher than the first lock without any weight on them. Ask me how I know. They may not come back down until you put some weight on them like >300#. I stacked a few rim/tires and a few family members standing on them to get it down.

2. If it gets really hard to push the quick connections into the pump.
The trick is to hold the "down" button when pushing in the quick connectors.
It really helps.

Has anyone experience the QJ not responding when going down. I feel like I have to jiggle the button to go down. I have already bled the air and pump air into the cylinder per the instruction manual.

Is it because of something else on my QJ?

Posted by: wobbletop Dec 8 2020, 10:22 PM

^^^

The air pressure in the cylinder brings them down. If they are not coming down, there's something wrong there.

Or maybe you don't have the top of the hydraulic tank vented?

Posted by: mepstein Dec 8 2020, 10:35 PM

Bendpak purchased maxjax last year. They made a number of improvements and raised the price ~$500. That said, I've never regretted buying a good tool and a lift is something you should be able to use for years. You would be surprised by how many things you can use it for, other than lifting a car.

Nobody buys a lift and goes back to jack stands.

There are plenty of hydraulic shops and online places that stock longer hose or will make custom so you can get the lines off the floor and set the power unit in a convenient spot. Just one tip I saw was to put a 90% where the hose exits the arms so it doesn't stick out horizontal from the lifting arms. Ben mounted the power unit on the wall.

It's also pretty common in the Porsche world to have to lift your car a couple inches to put on a lift.

Posted by: VaccaRabite Dec 9 2020, 08:26 AM

I saw that when I was looking around the other day. I'm not surprised one of the big companies bought them up. They have been dominating the garage lift market. Tis is probably why I got mine at a discount for 2019 black friday - they were likely trying to get rid of old inventory to make way for the new stuff. The MaxJax usually don't go on sale, and they tend to be backordered. I had to wait a few months for mine.

Zach

Posted by: Stltri Dec 9 2020, 09:40 AM

I use it outdoors on the driveway half the time for more room. I just roll it out when needed and roll back in after use. You can hang it on the wall too. As others have said, dont leave outside, it will rust. Just make sure the QJ is resting on stable/level concrete before lifting the car. Caution with asphalt, the weight of car can cause indentation/sinking by the QJ. Btw, I have seen others use the QJ at the track using the 12VDC motor option, which you might like for your autoX events.

I find it easier to use jack/jackstands if Im servicing only one wheel, but if Im doing all four, the QJ is much easier. I use Esco jackstands to support the QJ platform if I will be working under the car, just for my peace of mind, although not necessary.

Posted by: jesse7flying Dec 9 2020, 10:02 AM

I love my QJ for all the stuff I do at home. My only disappointment was that the thing was not long enough to lift at the correct jacking points on my Boxster nor my 996. I guess that's because I bought the 5000 vs the 7000 model?

Posted by: Stltri Dec 9 2020, 10:18 AM

Theres actually an extension you can add on top of the existing platform to extend far enough for your other cars. I actually wished I bought the shorter one with the extender because I have the opposite problem, my current QJ is too long for a shorter car/jackpoint.

Posted by: Stltri Dec 9 2020, 10:24 AM

Funny you posted this question.. I also noticed this lately that the buttons dont respond occasionally (either up or down), which I suspect may be the controller buttons themselves that has faulty contact points. I dont think its the hydraulics. Was thinking of opening up the controller and spraying some electrical cleaner spray in there if it acts up again.

Posted by: eric9144 Dec 9 2020, 10:35 AM

I bought my QJ after @http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=18749 posted his video (he should be getting commissions)

Its honestly a garage game changer, had to change out my fuel pump last weekend, mine is mounted down on my steering rack so the front end has to come up, used to use wheel ramps and you don't get very much room to work etc. and if the car can't move on it's own you have a massive PITA getting it on the ramps.

This last time I had the QJ set up and car in the air in like 15 minutes---the only thing I have to add is that if you have a set of ESCO jack stands you can add another level of emergency stop by scooting them under the back edge "just in case" anything were to fail etc, can never be too safe.

Posted by: iankarr Dec 9 2020, 12:27 PM

Thanks @http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=12876 . They don't even send me a holiday card . In your pic above, you can see one big benefit of QJ...it's portable. You can use it wherever you need it.

Posted by: brcacti Dec 9 2020, 12:45 PM

I like any jack but always use wood boards under the car when working on them for safety

Posted by: Mueller Dec 19 2020, 02:54 PM

I was hooking up my QuickJack this afternoon and was having trouble connecting one side of the hoses...a trip to Youtube and my issue was resolved.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW2KBxwK8rM



Pic of car right behind me

Posted by: Mueller Dec 19 2020, 02:57 PM

Yep, I usually work on the 914 in the single car garage, not wide enough to open up doors all the way. big pain sometimes.

Today the quickjack is in the 2 car garage with plenty of room to open doors and crawl around.