How strong will this hold?
 

Will this be sufficient enough to hold my vehicle? I've thought and planned this out a thousand times. My design comes from others who have tried. There is this and this. I added extra diagonal bracing's and then triangular bracing on front, plus the ramps being on the back of the lift. Will this suffice and be safe enough for exhaust, oil/trans oil change? It should be 16" off the ground. I know many will not think this is safe, but it's honestly better than the above links. :iono: :popcorn:

P.S. there would be 280 square inches of contact patch to the 2x12's, with all the verticle and diagonal bracing.

Only one way to find out...

Looks good to me, but it seems like a lot of work compared to using a jack and 4 jack stands.

Honestly, I wouldn't do it. Why risk your life to save a few dollars?

I was going to suggest getting a KwikLift instead but it looks like they didn't survive the economic downturn and went out of business a couple of months ago. Too bad, since they actually had a decent alternative to a 2 or 4 post lift.

http://dev.choreo.com/VetteForum/KwikLift_01.jpg
http://dev.choreo.com/VetteForum/KwikLift_02.jpg
http://images36.fotki.com/v1157/phot...2007098-vi.jpg

A 2x12 shouldn't be used for the vertical members, thats where the 4x4 or 6x6 should be used. A 2x12 isn't strong in the direction you were planning on using it. Lateral bracing can be made from 2x6, not 4x4. It should only be providing bracing in a single direction so square lumber isn't necessary if you design it properly.

Its tough to understand the drawing for what you're planning. Its possible to do this safely but I can't tell if your specific plans are. The fact that you're using incorrect dimensions for support pieces I'd say "contact a professional before proceeding."

Your gonna use wood?????

I know this is wood but just seems better the weight more spread out instead contact patch to the ground vs Jack stands.

I really want one of those after seeing one! Thank you for your advice. Is there anything similar with only this height? I don't have a lot of money or space for something bigger.

It's basically exactly the first mustang thread but with 4x4 s in each section diagonally. It's exactly why I came out here. To hopefully find something better or safer.

haha yeah. I can't weld at all or find something of significant other.

Used Kwiklifts pop up from time to time on craigslist and car forum classifieds (check Corvette forums, they tend to like them). As far as alternatives, I'm sure that there is something similar out there, just haven't seen or heard of one yet.

I'll have to look for them! I'm in need of one! :D

instead of all that fancy stuff, you could just lay out some long pieces of 2x12's stacked on top of each other for the whole thing. Not fancy and definately not light, but would be much stronger and safer ( and I bet not too expensive).

oh #*@$ :facepalm: probably cost the same as buying all that wood too. So need to buy sixteen 2x12 boards.. Thanks :)

http://www.derekweaver.com/update/W-...uct.aspx?id=61

I clicked on the link, the ramp portion is a death trap with no lateral bracing. They were using the plywood as lateral bracing where the car is. A boxed 2x12 frame would be way safer.

Thats not at all a good idea.You better think out what your really doing here. Really think.

So how are you going to get it up onto that truss system?