[FC] Service Lifts

[lechevrier at earthlink.net]

One must initially decide whether they want a wheel lift or chassis lift.  

Typical wheel lifts take up more floor space when empty with the two car length ramps used for lifting, and they can be awkward for working on a car simply parked on the lift, but not lifted.  Wheel lifts are great for front engine rear drive transmission work, as well as exhaust work on FE cars. Normally not so good for tire and brake work.

Chassis lifts are normally good for getting to everything on a car except the underside middle, like the trans on a conventional FE RD car.

Since this is on the FC list, the high point of the vehicle is not necessarily in the middle, where a vaulted ceiling can be used to advantage to gain more lift height, and the FC is taller to start with, limiting the amount of lift under an eight foot ceiling.  

The other thing to consider could be, in your case of limited lift, how much under car work are you gong to be doing?  It is rather awkward to work underneath a car that is say three feet off the ground -- to high to reach stuff from a creeper, but too low to stand under.

With limited overhead clearance, instead it may be worth considering investing in a "good" floor jack and HD (tall) jack stands.

mo,

Bill Strickland