[T2] [Q] Bus Lift for Maintenance

[david raistrick]

On Mon, Aug 28, 2017 at 1:31 PM, David C Matthews <dcm7293 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Interested in thoughts on ways to elevate my bus off the shop floor for
> simplified engine & "underneath" maintenance. Sure, could always throw $ at
> the problem and purchase a full hydraulic vehicle lift, but interested in
> more cost-effective strategies.

define "more cost-effective" - are we talking 100-200, or 1000-2000,
or something else?


I paid $600 for my lightly used 2 post lift, plus a trip to miami
(from orlando), and about $50 worth of new bolts, and another $50
cheap SDS drill to drill the holes.     Over the years I've spent more
than $1000 on jacks and jack stands - both good and cheap.   I only
use them when I can't get something on the lift for some reason.

best tool I own, end of story.

For a bus - ANY 2 post in good shape is fine.  Weigh capacity is a
non-issue.   if you want to use it for other cars, you might want to
get more picky but that's a longer discussion.


You can get various scissor style lifts that sit under the bus/car and
lift it.    They're good if you want access to the sides, rockers,
etc, not so good if you want a more or less clear floor under the car.

you can get 4 post style lifts that don't free up the suspension (you
drive onto two platforms), then you can add jacks to those to raise
the car up.   Good for some things, not really so good for working on
most bus things.   you can get scissor versions of those, but those
make even less sense in a hobby garage.


if you buy a used lift - dont buy one disassembled, unless it includes
installation and assembly and a guarantee.  buy it operating in place,
then test, disassemble, remove, and install it (or have a pro do it)
yourself.   Then you'll know how to get it back together, and you can
test operation before removing it and look for worn parts, damage,
etc.


> Four (4) jackstands
> One (1) high lift floor jack
>
> All from Harbor Freight for not much money.

I wore out 3 of those HF high lift jacks, and still have 1 (slightly
bent...).  sadly, HF stopped selling them a few years ago.
absolutely the right shop jack for a bus.   There are much more $$
versions still available (last i looked, which isn't often) that the
HF was a knockoff of...