The Kwik-Lift is a full-length car ramp that you can use to lift your car. In this video, Bob Kovacs runs through the steps to put his pickup truck on the Kwik-Lift. For more about me and what I do, please visit www.bobkovacs.com.
I have used mine as a build table for things like replacing floor pans . I've got the cross beam that you can use with jack stands. Very handy where you don't have ceiling height for a lift.
There was a time I would have liked to have one, but when you have to pay double the price including purchase, shipping, import taxes and all that, you reconsider your likes and look elsewhere. (I add everything up beforehand to get the amount I have to pay in the end - something most people forget about.) Never found a direct alternative, so just purchased some bigger ramps for tyres up to 275mm in width and, to get my lowered car and other cars with lower bumper skirts onto them, I got some ramp extensions. Worked just fine. These ramps are not just wider than normal ones you can get around here (Germany), but taller as well. But now I have my own home with a nice 4 Ton hydraulic two post lift sitting in the big barn next to it. The ramps are kind of a backup and stay at my parents, where there is no space for a real lift. But even so: The price for a Kwik-Lift set is too high for some pieces of folded metal and a bended pipe, when you can get a hydraulic lift for the same price, even if you consider the prices without all the shipping and taxes.
Great video Bob. It is one of the reasons I jumped at the chance to purchase an excellent condition Kwik-Lift today for $700 including a full set of casters, center bridge, a 2 1/4 ton floor jack and some large, heavy metal drive-up wedges that are the full width of the ramps. After using ramps and jack stands for over 35 years, I now have just what I need to perform basic to moderate difficulty under-vehicle service a lot easier than before.
@@redForever1776 Kwik-Lift's web site is www.kwik-lift.com. However, the company may have stopped making them due to material shortages. Check with the company.
Good video; clear, descriptive, demonstrates the 'steps' in use, and brief. I'd make a recommendation, the compact jacks supplied with cars are likely not adequate raising the yoke to first get ramps horizontal. You'll want ample capacity in tonnage and lift height to use the ramps dependably. That additional strength will be appreciated even more when time comes to lower the ramps. I'm looking for a set too, may fab my own to solve getting vehicles in/ out of a dock height building.
Thank you for the kind words. In the video, I use a hydraulic jack to lift the ramp, not a mechanical car jack. So yes, I agree with you... you can not use a car jack to lift a Kwik-Lift. I has to be a jack such as the one I show in the video.
Picked one of these up local, used lightly. I maintain 18 cars for family and myself, as well as side jobs for people at work. I paid $700 for my Kwik Lift and I don't regret it ever. Just wish I got it sooner than I did. I did some slight modding for safety's sake and bought a 2nd bridge so it's easier to take all 4 wheels off. I use a pneumatic 20ton bottle jack from HF to save some effort. Invested in some attachments to the bottle jack so it's safer. Couldn't be happier. I had large garage though too and this is in the back bay. When cleaned out I can fit 4-6 cars in the building so space isn't an issue but tearing up the floor for a 2-post is not to mention I've got at best $1000 in total on everything including my jacking systems and my extra bridge etc. I can work easily under it though, brakejobs at perfect level to work off my shop stool... it's a sound investment, especially if you can find a used one on Craigslist like I did.
I ended up selling mine (also lightly used) for $300. Probably too cheap, but I offered it to a friend who snapped it up immediately. He's still using it for work on classic muscle cars.
Bob Kovacs wow that was cheap. I've never seen one below $600. If anything I see more ads asking for one for sale than ads of someone selling one even.
Thanks for the nice comment! I would guess that there is a UK distributor for this, or a manufacturer in Europe that has something similar. If you are interested, you could contact Kwik-Lift and ask what the availability/price is (www.kwik-lift.com/). Or you could try making one... as you say, it is not a complex piece of machinery.
Hi I'm in the UK too if you find a supplier or are considering building one please let me know. Looks like they've temporarily stopped making them in the USA at the moment due to rising steel prices.
Thanks! I wouldn't mind having mine back. I sold it in 2016 when we downsized from two houses to one... and the remaining house didn't have a garage. Now that it has a garage, a Kwik-Lift would be a nice addition!
We made our own using the same kind of idea but have a 4 foot lift and a hydraulic jack to raise her and incorporated in drop down safety legs while its being raised.
Thanks! I don't mind the comments... really. I've been making videos here on RU-vid for both my channel and a couple others for a long time, and have taken a lot of flak at times. I'm okay with that. I even deserved it a few times.
I purchased one of these (sets) when I built my 32 Ford. What a great product and a great company. I will be purchasing another set in the future. Very, very safe when youre underneath unlike those scissor jacks. First saw these in person at the good guys rod and custom show in DFW.
Thank you for the nice comment! Many people see a picture of a KwikLift or maybe watch a video and think that it's no big deal. But like you, when you use it you can tell immediately that it's a BIG improvement over ramps, jacks and jack stands. I sold mine a couple years ago, but now I kinda wish I still had it.
Just something I ran into...be sure your floor jack is low enough to go under the cross bar and pumps high enough to safely drop the legs ...locking them in place. I like also...the jack adapter you made ...so that the jack does not roll off the cross bar, which happened to me....highly recommend you make one for your jack.
Lots of people here not understanding that when you purchase a full sized auto lift, there is more to it than just the purchase price. Aside from the fact that most reputable 2 and 4 post lifts start around 3,000 bucks, there are a host of other expenses that come along with each. First, you lose considerable space with a 2 post lift. That parking space is gone and its commited to being a lift area. A 4 post, if you are lucky and have high ceilings, you might be able to get extra space by stacking, but you still have the lift in your garage. 2 post lifts must be bolted down into high strength and thick concrete. Most residential garage slabs are not equiped to handle that load, so they must be demoed out, reinforced and refilled with approproiate concrete. 4 posts do not have to be bolted down, but you are losing the easy access to the removing wheels because the car is still parked on its wheels on a 4 post. You must get a sliding jack, either 2 bottle jacks or a hydrolic lift that fits between the rails of the lift under the car, and then you can lift the car off its wheels. Bottle jack versions are around 200 bucks, with the hydro version coming in around 1,200. The Kwik lift is essentially a lower rise and moveable 4 post lift with no hyrdolics to fail. I think it perfect for weekend warrior type guys who do a little bit more than basic maintainance on their vehicles. Its much better than jack stands and everyone who has used mine agrees.
I agree with you. everyone thinks that a hydraulic lift would be MUCH better, but it is significantly more money and has its own issues. I parked a car on this all the time in my garage, so I didn't lose any floor space and it was no inconvenience to park on it. I didn't have to worry about doors hitting the uprights, for example. I plan to get a removable hydraulic lift for my next garage, but I like the KwikLift and would get one again in the same circumstances.
You obviously have no Idea what you are talking about. This is the silliest thing I ever seen. Ceiling height is the only problem with a 2 post. If you happen to have the height one parking spot could become 2 in about 40 seconds.
@@ralfsautomotive Ralph obviously you don't understand that not everyone has tall ceilings for commercial style lifts. I recently moved but my last location I had a shop and had a four-post 8000 pound lift. Now I have a small 2 car garage and the four post will not work obviously. The QuickLift gets my car off the ground to be able to work underneath of it and also drop a transmission if necessary. I don't lose any space because the car stays on the lift where I would normally park. So I think it's a very good product and a lot of people would be totally satisfied with it.
@@michaeleaton1966, Hard to read these comments with a straight face. People seem to think that a 2-post lift requires "unusual amounts" of ceiling height. The truth is; there are many to choose from, and if you can stand up straight in your garage. ... there is a two-post lift available to suit your needs. Another jaw-dropper, is the misconception that one loses a parking space in their garage, after installing a 2-post lift. -As if parking a car is impossible between the posts. Lastly, folks seem to have the impression that a 2-post lift is controlled by a simple "ON/OFF SWITCH" ... you flip the switch to the on position, and it lifts the car to the maximum height, whether you have the ceiling height to accommodate this or not. It's as if the idea of lifting the car to say; 3/4 of the height, never occured to them. Additionally, all lifts are easily fitted with a Limit Switch. Thus, on that cold November morning, your pet monkey cannot sneak into your garage, flip the switch to the "ON" position, and crunch your wife's minivan through the rafters. Then again. ... those who are oblivious to such "rocket science" matters, may live longer, if they purchase the simplest device available. In that case, the ramp-lift may serve as an excellent compromise, and chances are; those folks may never know the difference.
Go to www.kwik-lift.com to buy one. A Kwik-Lift is much too heavy for one person to easily move. I just parked a car on it in the garage. With the wide ramps, it's not hard to just park on it. It didn't hurt the Kwik-Lift or the car to leave it parked there for weeks at a time.
Thanks for posting this Bob. I see lots of comments talking about two posters being better etc, truth ime with 2 and 4 post units is all lifts have their strengths and weakness's for different work. I like the concept of the Kwik-lift, high enough to be comfortable, no maintainance, very stable, portable and no posts or legs to get in the way. Have found a company listing them over here in the UK but at £3,630.00 and no SH market i'll be fabing my own. Have a couple ideas for one man portability and possibly for them to double as a loading skid to go over a rolling tailboard if ever get round to making one. The ramps will be one piece and the rear legs stand alone, will also make a sliding centre beam to jack from, very handy. Will likely position the lifting tube at the end of the ramps, id like to keep the tube straight, figure if im going to use small nose ramps it doesnt matter much if they are 2" tall or cribbed high enough to slide a jack under. Thanks again. D
You're welcome... good luck with your fab project. FWIW, I just bought a QuickJack, which is a hydraulic lift for cars. I sold the KwikLift a few years ago when I sold the house with the garage you see in the video. I had no place for the KwikLift, so I sold it. I've been pining for something to replace it ever since, and got the QuickJack yesterday. I am shooting video about it, so keep your eyes open for my video.
@@BobKovacs I had a look at the QuickJack, for certain is more portable and easier to store than a Kwik-Lift. Look forward to seeing how you make out with it. Cheers D
@@BobKovacs In a strange twist of fate, a kwik-lift came up for sale near me in the UK right after I ordered the steel for the ramps I intend to make (someone upstairs has a sense of humour). It looks a little different with the jack bar locating at the ends of the ramps rather than inboard some. I think the ramps are a little longer than the present day unit as they measure 14,9" at the mid setting, makes me wonder if its an older model perhaps? At least I can get a feel for how the real deal goes before making anything. Saw your quick jack video, they look good but by comparison complex, be interesting to see how they work out over time. Cheers D
@@mrblack61 I had mine for 10 years or so, before selling it in 2016. And I almost always parked a car (or the truck you see in this video) on it, so it was loaded with a car 80 percent of the time I had it. It never showed any wear, and it always worked fine. BTW, I posted my QuickJack video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nxPFoACt9Rc.html
Thanks for posting, I just picked up a used one and look forward to using it. Sure it's not a full lift, but way better and effective than jack stands.
I sold mine a couple years ago, but now wish I still had it. I need to get under a car and am not looking forward to doing it on ramps and jack stands.
I set it up and used it for the first time today. Driving on it with my low profile car isn't the easiest (can't see over the hood well) but it was easier than jack stands. driving on it with my wife's van was a breeze though. Not sure I would buy it new considering the price when compared to other options out there today, but used @$750 is a no brainier.
I almost always backed my vehicle onto it, and even low cars (my Porsche and my neighbor's Corvette) had no problems. You'll be surprised to learn that I sold mine to a friend for $300 -- for that money, I wish I had it back!
I liked the idea of just jumping into the car and pulling straight off -- either way, you have to back up at some point, so I almost always backed on. Also, my wife was a lot more comfortable pulling the car straight off (after I had backed it on), so she could use either of our cars if she wanted to. The only time I pulled straight on was when the jack bar was going to be in the way of what I planned to work on.
Good video. After alot of research, im going with this...its portable, its easy, no hydraulic stuff to worry about and ive seen more pros than cons...i would love a lift but reality is not idea for home garages in most typical scenerios
Kwik-Lift still has a web site, but I could not see how to order one. Last I knew, the company had stopped production, but there was no mention of that on the web site. Keep looking for a used one. If you're willing to drive some distance to pick it up, there are occasionally used ones for sale.
+DarkWoods100 The company (KwikLift) says that it's capable of handling "5,000 to 6,000 pounds." You're gonna need some sort of commercial lift for 8,000 lbs.
You could, but that would take a lot more space. Because the Kwik-Lift slopes from one end to the other, it's a pretty gentle slope. You can adjust the overall length, and I think mine was set to 13.5 feet. The shorter the ramp, the steeper the pitch and the more difficult it is for lower vehicles. But having level elevated runners and ramps leading up to it is great if you have the space.
A Kwik-Lift does not fold up for storage... once it's there, it's pretty much going to stay there. It's much too heavy for one person to move it. In my garage, I just parked a car on it.
You mean a long rubber structure with a ramp at one end that then becomes flat? And big enough to drive a vehicle on? I'm not aware of any such thing. This KwikLift gets a car about 20 inches above the floor, and I can't see doing that with anything other than steel.
I no longer have this KwikLift, but I would definitely do brakes on it if I still had it. It was MUCH easier doing brakes with the car higher up than working off the floor. For doing something like rotating tires, working off the floor is easier.
What kind of bottle jack are you using at 2:30? I've been spinning my wheels (figuratively) trying to find an affordable lifting option, and the kwik-lift does look like a good one, but I'd want to be able to get the wheels off the ground as well. I've never seen a bottle jack like the one you were using, and it looks incredibly easy to use!
I got that jack many years ago (maybe 1985), so the brand and model may not be around anymore. However, if you are in the US, you can get one very similar from Harbor Freight for $25: www.harborfreight.com/4-ton-hydraulic-bottle-jack-56684.html That should work exactly as I show in the video.
Отличное приспомобление для обслуживания машины, у меня почти такое же, только высота больше и поднимается механическим hi -jack и выглядит не такмкоасиво как у Вас. Does is fabrik model , or else hand made? Sorry my small English
Это сделано в США компанией под названием KwikLift. Это очень хорошее качество. Высота подъема от пола около 50 см. Свою я продал в 2016 году, теперь хочу вернуть.
Interesting lift. Question, wouldn’t it be easier to just drive forward onto the ramp? Then you are only jacking up the rear of the vehicle which is usually much much lighter. What is the purpose of backing onto the ramp instead of driving forward?
Good question! Yes, you can drive forward onto the ramp, and I did that from time to time. Mostly, I backed onto the ramp because my wife would not back a car off of it. She would only use a vehicle on the Kwik-Lift if she could drive straight off it. Since I often left her alone with a car on the Kwik-Lift, I wanted to be sure she was comfortable using the car if she needed it.
Bob Kovacs Ah! Well that is a VERY legitimate reason and a very respectable one as well. Thanks for taking care of your wife, and thanks for posting your review.
The same way you would if your car was on the floor and you wanted to rotate the tires. You jack up a couple of wheels and move the tires from one to the other. It's easy to jack up individual wheels on the Kwik-Lift.
@@BobKovacs - Jack up when a car is already raised? That doesn't sound smart at all. What’s the point of using this lift when you have to jack it up just like it was on the floor?
Didn't you watch the video? I demonstrated this very thing in the video. And the company specifically says that carefully jacking up individual wheels is fine. The point of using the Kwik-Lift is that the car is now 20 inches off the floor. It was much easier to do a brake job with the car lifted that much off the floor... much less bending over. However, it's okay if you don't think this is the right tool for you. I unfortunately sold mine a few years ago when we were consolidating homes, and wish I now had it back. That said, you probably want to rotate tires with the car jacked up on the floor. There's less lifting that way.
People occasionally sell theirs. For example, I sold mine several years ago... and really wish I hadn't. The only other source was the company, KwikLift (www.kwik-lift.com/). However, on KwikLift's web site, the company says that it is no longer making them as of Feb. 2022, due to the high cost of steel. That's a bummer!
Two things here ; a two post lift has two requirements most garages are lacking , one is a ceiling height of at least 11 feet , most have 8 feet , and they must have a minimum of an 8 inch thick reinforced concrete pad under each post . The other thing is ; have you ever had a jack stand fail while you're under the vehicle . They can and do . I've been there and don't care to repeat that experience . I was lucky , a classmate of mines brother was not .
I could always back up the Kwik-Lift by myself, and never had any problems. I often stopped to make sure I was lined up properly (as I show in this video), but otherwise had no problems.
I did not do any welding. The pieces are completely built at the factory, and there is just a little assembly to put things together. Because everything is made so strongly, the components are heavy -- it takes two strong people to assemble the ramps. Everything is welded and ready to go, however.
It's a 1996 Mazda B3000 pickup, which is a re-badged Ford Ranger. Same vehicle, just different badges and insignia. I liked that truck, which I sold in 2016. I still miss it.
Yes, it is a commercial product from a company called Kwik-Lift. I loved using it, but I sold mine a few years ago. Wouldn't mind having another, though.
Would be easier to lift if driven on rather than reversed as engine weight would be closer to pivot point not at jacking point? Otherwise looks a great bit of kit.
Possibly. However, I *always* backed the car/truck up the ramps because my wife would not back the car off the ramps. If she was going to use the car -- and I often just parked a car on the Kwik-Lift -- she had to be able to drive it straight off. I just got into the habit of always backing up the Kwik-Lift.
People occasionally sell theirs. For example, I sold mine several years ago... and really wish I hadn't. The only other source was the company, KwikLift (www.kwik-lift.com/). However, on KwikLift's web site, the company says that it is no longer making them as of Feb. 2022, due to the high cost of steel. That's a bummer!
I bought one back in 2013, it was great for oil changes, with jacking tray , could pull wheels off for brake jobs, waxing lower half of car ( corvette). I sold it in 2017. Big mistake I,m going to get another one.
The last I knew, the company had stopped making them about a year ago (March 2022). You'll have to find someone selling a used one, or find a company making something similar. For more information, go to www.kwik-lift.com/
I have used this KwikLift and I have used a floor jack and stands. I can tell you with certainty using a KwikLift is *much* better than jack stands. The KwikLift is much safer to be under and it is much easier to get a car on it. And it was never in the way... I simply parked a car on it and it was no big deal. Also, the KwikLift gets the car up much higher (by 6 to 8 inches) than jack stands. I no longer have this KwikLift, and have to jack my cars up and use jack stands to do an oil change. Every time I do that, I wish I had the KwikLift.
+Dosalt Actually, I frequently used this KwikLift to jack up both a 2001 Corvette and a 1993 Porsche 968. Neither was a problem. I could drive both up the ramp with the jack bar in the up position and using the floor jack to lift them was just like you see in this video.
I'm guessing that a Kwik-Lift weighs around 350 pounds. One person could disassemble it, load it on a truck, unload it and re-assemble it, but it's hard work. It's much easier with two people.
Lots of people think as you do. I'm considering a two-post lift myself. However, I wouldn't mind having this Kwik-Lift back... I sold it a couple years ago when I sold the house (and the garage) in which it was located. I had no place to put it for the year or so that I did not have a garage.
@@BobKovacs I am sure you missed it once it was gone. Hard to get used to having it and then it’s like sure wish I didn’t let that go. I am really thinking about building one of there for now from scrap and digging a pit for it to set on. I have 80 acres this could even be done so then when I put up the metal building it would be inside. I’ll post a video.
Kenneth, please understand that I'm a guy who likes to work on cars and have nothing to do with the Kwik-Lift company. If you want to buy a Kwik-Lift, go to www.kwik-lift.com.
The company stopped selling them during the Covid pandemic, and I don't know if KwikLift will start making them again. So your only options are to find one used, build one yourself, or go with an alternative. If you want a ramp, this one lifts a vehicle 8 inches (about 20cm): www.discountramps.com/garage-service/cribs/p/RR-PPL/ I sold the KwikLift in the video a few years ago, and now have a QuickJack. To be honest, I wish I still had the KwikLift... I liked it better than the QuickJack.
Yes, that's very true. You might be able to push it on with another vehicle, but I highly recommend against that -- it seems likely to damage something or hurt someone.
As an idea for storage, just slip a Block and Tackle hook on to the tapered front ends and lift up and lock it up. While standing up-right it's out of the way to have a clear area for cars etc.
@@BobKovacs Ha....great review of the kwik-lift. Also, just watched your video of the Chinese Lantern Festival.....ours got cancelled because of the rona.
