I bought a lift... - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

After months of thinking about which brand to go with, what features I liked, and what size I wanted, I FINALLY decided on a Bend Pak HD-9. I had a chance to look at a different brand in person but didn't like the fact that their cables were exposed which meant that the plate on the top of the posts was trying to be bent. Apparently Bend Pak was pushing out a price increase the beginning of the month so I placed the order a few days early. The lift arrived at the shipping terminal (5 minutes away) and I used a friend's car trailer to get it home. I was able to lift the columns myself, but only one end of the cross tubes. I used an engine lift for the runways. Putting it together wasn't as bad as I expected, I only needed help lifting the posts up after the cross bars were slipped inside. Since positioning the runways was the next step I had help with that as well. The only problem I had assembling was with the hardware that wouldn't torque without stripping. I had to replace the hardware myself after I was told they would only send me more of the same hardware! The bolts were labeled 4.8 on the head and are 12MMx1.75, the torque spec was 80 ft-lbs. I wound up replacing them with socket head cap screws supposedly grade 12.9, that's what I asked for at least.

I know there is a whole 2 post vs. 4 post debate but I bought the rolling jack to get the wheels off, so I should be good to go.

(IMG:http://lh5.ggpht.com/_JQnL1ZZVi-E/SlqWKink-jI/AAAAAAAAAmI/K5E-yC14A4U/s512/IMG_0695.JPG)

(IMG:http://lh3.ggpht.com/_JQnL1ZZVi-E/Sl3XS96G6nI/AAAAAAAAAm4/XSGHVhiiSHM/s512/IMG_0711.JPG)

slowTA View Member Profile	Jul 15 2009, 01:21 PM Post #1
Experienced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 2,290 Joined: 4-May 04 From: Kenvil, NJ Member No.: 331	After months of thinking about which brand to go with, what features I liked, and what size I wanted, I FINALLY decided on a Bend Pak HD-9. I had a chance to look at a different brand in person but didn't like the fact that their cables were exposed which meant that the plate on the top of the posts was trying to be bent. Apparently Bend Pak was pushing out a price increase the beginning of the month so I placed the order a few days early. The lift arrived at the shipping terminal (5 minutes away) and I used a friend's car trailer to get it home. I was able to lift the columns myself, but only one end of the cross tubes. I used an engine lift for the runways. Putting it together wasn't as bad as I expected, I only needed help lifting the posts up after the cross bars were slipped inside. Since positioning the runways was the next step I had help with that as well. The only problem I had assembling was with the hardware that wouldn't torque without stripping. I had to replace the hardware myself after I was told they would only send me more of the same hardware! The bolts were labeled 4.8 on the head and are 12MMx1.75, the torque spec was 80 ft-lbs. I wound up replacing them with socket head cap screws supposedly grade 12.9, that's what I asked for at least. I know there is a whole 2 post vs. 4 post debate but I bought the rolling jack to get the wheels off, so I should be good to go. (IMG:http://lh5.ggpht.com/_JQnL1ZZVi-E/SlqWKink-jI/AAAAAAAAAmI/K5E-yC14A4U/s512/IMG_0695.JPG) (IMG:http://lh3.ggpht.com/_JQnL1ZZVi-E/Sl3XS96G6nI/AAAAAAAAAm4/XSGHVhiiSHM/s512/IMG_0711.JPG)

slowTA View Member Profile	Jul 16 2009, 03:34 PM Post #2
Experienced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 2,290 Joined: 4-May 04 From: Kenvil, NJ Member No.: 331	I stopped at the Greg Smith in Delaware (no room to put your car on the lift at this location) before I made my decision but I didn't really like their ProPark 8 as much although it was cheaper and included casters, drip pans, and jack tray. The cables were exposed so the top caps of the posts were bending instead of being supported on 3 sides. Also the rollers at the ends of the crossbars were only supported on one side, the other side is a thin metal cover while Bend Pak uses 2 thick plates. Greg Smith's ProPark9 is more like the Bend Pak (similar price) but the posts are very tall, another 10 inches over the Bend Pak and as you can tell I have limited ceiling height.