A lot has been discussed here recently about oil changes and other maintenance items for the GT. Likely one of the most frightening experiences for a GT owner is having to lift it - whether doing it yourself, at the dealership, or at an independent shop.
It is my opinion that by far the most versatile lift available - and particularly well suited to the GT, is a 4-post lift equipped with a rolling jack bridge.
I just stepped back in from the garage where I snapped a few pictures to help show why I prefer the 4-post lift over other lifts.
First, and perhaps most importantly, the 4-post lift is easy to drive on/off of. It is a no brainer. Since I've owned the GT, about 50% of the time my "normal" parking spot is on the lift. It is that easy and is no problem to drive on/off unassisted. Frankly I use the lift to assist in cleaning the cars as much as I do to work on them. Cleaning wheels (a weekly chore with the GT brake dust) and cleaning/waxing lower body panels is easy when the car can be adjusted to chair-height. :biggrin
So, let me illustrate my points about the ease of lifting a GT with a few photos.
First off, here's the GT on the lift and lifted up to maximum height.
Here's a pic of the underside of the GT. Notice that along the inside of each rail there's a heavy U-channel piece that has been welded there to accomodate a rolling jack bridge.
Here's a picture of the rolling jack bridge. As low as the GT is, notice that there is no problem to roll the jack bridge the entire length of the car and position it anywhere you like.
Speaking of rolling the jack bridge, the following picture shows why it is so easy. Notice that when it is not loaded (not lifting) the entire weight of the jack bridge is carried by the steel wheels. It glides for and aft. However, as soon as you start to jack the car up with it, the springs compress and the weight of the car & bridge is carried by the aforementioned U-channel.
Here's the rolling jack bridge approximately underneath one of the front jack points. The 1" x 3" solid plate can slide out approximately 18" if needed. Also, you can lift directly from the top arm of the bridge jack witout using the cups.
Here's the jack bridge immediately below the right rear jack point. Notice that the jack point is slightly lower that the belly pans that surround it. One problem with the 2-post lifts is that if the lifting pads aren't positioned perfectly, it is too easy to pinch one of these pans. If you go up with the intention of changing the oil, for example, you must have these pans free so that they can be removed!
In the following picture, I've located a small piece of 2x4 at the left rear jacking point.
And here's the right side.
Finally, here's a pic of the jack bridge positioned correctly with both blocks in place.
With these pictures, I hope you can see the versatility of a 4-post lift. Many jobs don't require you to lift the suspension up, but if/when you do, it is very easy when you are doing the positioning with the car comfortably in the air and you can see exactly what you are doing.
Regarding my equipment, the lift is a BendPak HD-12SS with a 12K lb lifting capacity. The rolling jack bridge is a BendPak RJ-6 with a 6K lb lifting capacity.
I hope this helps someone else.
It is my opinion that by far the most versatile lift available - and particularly well suited to the GT, is a 4-post lift equipped with a rolling jack bridge.
I just stepped back in from the garage where I snapped a few pictures to help show why I prefer the 4-post lift over other lifts.
First, and perhaps most importantly, the 4-post lift is easy to drive on/off of. It is a no brainer. Since I've owned the GT, about 50% of the time my "normal" parking spot is on the lift. It is that easy and is no problem to drive on/off unassisted. Frankly I use the lift to assist in cleaning the cars as much as I do to work on them. Cleaning wheels (a weekly chore with the GT brake dust) and cleaning/waxing lower body panels is easy when the car can be adjusted to chair-height. :biggrin
So, let me illustrate my points about the ease of lifting a GT with a few photos.
First off, here's the GT on the lift and lifted up to maximum height.
Here's a pic of the underside of the GT. Notice that along the inside of each rail there's a heavy U-channel piece that has been welded there to accomodate a rolling jack bridge.
Here's a picture of the rolling jack bridge. As low as the GT is, notice that there is no problem to roll the jack bridge the entire length of the car and position it anywhere you like.
Speaking of rolling the jack bridge, the following picture shows why it is so easy. Notice that when it is not loaded (not lifting) the entire weight of the jack bridge is carried by the steel wheels. It glides for and aft. However, as soon as you start to jack the car up with it, the springs compress and the weight of the car & bridge is carried by the aforementioned U-channel.
Here's the rolling jack bridge approximately underneath one of the front jack points. The 1" x 3" solid plate can slide out approximately 18" if needed. Also, you can lift directly from the top arm of the bridge jack witout using the cups.
Here's the jack bridge immediately below the right rear jack point. Notice that the jack point is slightly lower that the belly pans that surround it. One problem with the 2-post lifts is that if the lifting pads aren't positioned perfectly, it is too easy to pinch one of these pans. If you go up with the intention of changing the oil, for example, you must have these pans free so that they can be removed!
In the following picture, I've located a small piece of 2x4 at the left rear jacking point.
And here's the right side.
Finally, here's a pic of the jack bridge positioned correctly with both blocks in place.
With these pictures, I hope you can see the versatility of a 4-post lift. Many jobs don't require you to lift the suspension up, but if/when you do, it is very easy when you are doing the positioning with the car comfortably in the air and you can see exactly what you are doing.
Regarding my equipment, the lift is a BendPak HD-12SS with a 12K lb lifting capacity. The rolling jack bridge is a BendPak RJ-6 with a 6K lb lifting capacity.
I hope this helps someone else.
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