MaxJax Lift Installation & Review - Portable 2-Post Lift for Home Garage

I found a 2-post lift that fits in my home garage with low-clearance ceilings and doesn't require 220v! It's also semi-portable if I need to move it out of the way. I'll show you how to properly install a MaxJax lift. All of the parts and tools you'll need are linked below!

Must-Have Accessories:

Tools Required:

Materials Required:

If you plan to mount the pump cart out of the way (like I did), you will most likely need to extend both hoses. The most cost-effective way to do this is to a hose extension to the hose that comes with the MaxJax. Measure how much additional hose you will need from each post and purchase accordingly.

Safety Equipment (seriously, concrete is nasty):

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[ronniemullis]

I have had a Max Jax for about ten years. There were numerous problems. The first thing to fail was the pump leak. The next was a cylinder seal leak. The next was one side would raise higher than the other. Fortunately these were under warranty and replaced but it caused a lot of aggravation. One side raising higher than the other appeared to be solved by a pressure adjusting valve put on one side. After the warranty expired I have had two more cylinder leaks. The only hydraulic repair in this area replaced the seals but they still leaked and he said it wasn’t the seals but something like a sleeve that he couldn’t get. Bend Pak bought out Max Jax and you would think would have excellent service, but it is terrible. The people you talk to have absolutely no experience in this product. You can’t get any parts for a Max Jax, you have to buy the new part. The price for a Max Jax now is astronomical.

[larrylamb]

Thank you so much for your demonstration . Having an 8 ft. ceiling in my garage makes it a perfect solution and with the appropriate seat height makes it more useful . I'm so tired of jacking up my cars and trucks and having to put jack stands under them which makes me so tired even before I start to work on them, it is the perfect solution, thank you again for answering all my questions and actually showing your set-up .

[dreamingcode]

I've done much research on jacks and liftss and this is absolutely the one for my application. I have a 16 by 20 so this should work pretty well. My ceilings are only eight feet. I really appreciate the time and effort you put into this video as well as all the organized links thank you so much sir

[tjmoenich]

Nice modifications to the install, hoses over ceiling, 90 degree fitting etc. It is amazing to how many people have better way to do things. You did what you had to do in the the space you have. You did a great job!

[charlesgraham]

lol, my grandfather made a 3' scissor lift out of old tractor hydraulics. I'm so lucky and grateful i got all his machines (lathe, mill, drill press) and tools when he past, then i got all my fathers when he past. P.S. when building a garage, trust me, go bigger..!! always x2 it..! i built a 30x40 had to build a 20x20 just to house some of the machines. good luck and stay safe

[raptorcybersecurity]

Jake, your how-to is seriously impressive. I especially love that you list all the details to make it so easy for me to do the same install - thanks!!! I have a 2013 Alpina B7 xDrive, so not a racecar, but a great beast for long trips. I'm about to do a number of tasks: valve stem seals, new downpipes, Dinan Cold Air Intake, and their Stage II piggy-back tune. Anyway, a lift is a must to get under the car. thanks again.

[paulsanner]

Perfect setup! Clean and efficient. Not wrenching on your back is so worth it!

[juanmedina]

Do make sure to check what kind of concrete slab you have in your garage before you commit to this type of lift. You might want to avoid purchasing this lift if you happen to have a post tension slap. You don’t want to go drilling in to this type of foundation unless you know what you’re doing, it could be dangerous, do your research! You could find a contractor who has experience drilling in to this type of slab, but most wont. The hassle of finding a professional to perform this work, and the extra cost associated with it, might not make this the right lift for you. You don’t want to end up with pallet in the middle of your garage trying to figure out if to return it or sell it at a loss, or worst, end up in the hospital cos you drilled where you shouldn’t.

P.S. To find out if you have a post tension slab look around your garage. There should be a stamp (usually close to one of the corners) letting you know you do.

[alward]

Hi guy . Yes I put mine in with no problem still have 4 “ to 5 “ to spare at full height . But like you with the door open comes close to the windshield . Was better backing the car in . Maybe if you can manually partially open the door you can let the sunlight in . I use the extensions on the lift pads & still have roof space. This late in coming to you I’m guessing you have ironed out most of problems. Thanks Greetings from Canada .🇺🇸🇨🇦👍💥

[atlimag]

I work on aircrafts, we use driver car seats on top of a rolling frame, then you can recline and work nicely underneath the engine, or in your case your car. as I am writing this you brought in the creeper, its like that only more comfortable. and since its a car seat you can adjust your recline depending on the job. great video!

[chrispitts]

Office chair that reclines back is what I use. Comfort and almost laying down but easy to get up and down for tool grabs.

[MrSmoothstrings]

Hi Jake I was happy about how awesome your Max Jax lift is. I don't have much room in my garage. I basically have to work out side. Before I saw your video installation and review I was contemplating extending my one car garage out a little and widen it just a little. After seeing your lift I am sold on getting one of my own. Thank you for your video and demo. I know you are still enjoying your Max Jax.

[slickjames]

Best review cuz you’re the only one who actually gets under it in the video.

[JohnAttila]

The first half of this video was very informative, instructional, and well done. I tried watching the second half, but the constant rapid scene scanning of the camera operator drove me crazy and was useless.

[jmccarsnmore]

Honestly, that’s a nice setup for a “home garage”!! I only hope it works as it supposes to, without any problems or failures. Safety always firts!! Congrats and Good luck on your investment!! Keep it up!!

[jamesurtekar]

Finally some action shots of someone actually underneath it!! ✅

[freddyrosenberg]

I've had mine for over a year and it is the best tool I have ever bought for working on cars. The only dislike is that you only get 2 lifting stops, so it's either all the way up or half way up. Nothing in between

[paulstandaert]

I've had one of these lifts for several years now. It was really well worth the investment whether you want the prestige or actually use it regularly.

I never saw you make sure the hoist posts were plumb and parallel. The instructions were really intent on that.

I also made several modifications to mine. One being the same custom hydraulic hose and wall mount setup. Then I drilled the posts to accept more safety positions. I also attached some "trays" to the posts to store the lifting pad extensions. I also got some set screws to plug the concrete anchors when it is not in use. I use some cheap conduit through the topmost holes in the posts from which to hang the lift arms when not in use. I have never used the E-clips to hold the pins in which hold the arms onto the posts.

Before the custom hose setup, I laid the hoses on the floor. I did the stupid thing of running them over, because the pump setup wouldn't work in the front of the car well and that is where my tools are and stuff. Disconnecting the hoses and wrapping them up wasn't really an option in anything below 40 degrees because the Chinesium hose they supply you with wouldn't flex. The hose survived getting run over dozens and dozens of times, but the problem was when the salt water flowed down the slab to where the hose lay, and running over the hose must have microscopically damaged the sheathing and let the salt in to rust out the steel braids in the hoses. Yes, I had one blow out on me while I had a Buick up as high as it could go on the hoist, before I got the chance to get the safety bars in. I narrowly saved it from disaster by letting it down right away.

I always pull the manual release on the garage door when I have a car in the way of it. Under no circumstances do I not do this, because I will, (and have), forget one day.

[johnleinen]

I just installed one of these at home, works great, just be sure you've got thick enough floor ! I had only 3.5 inch thick slab so we installed anchor s with concrete epoxy too .

[roycemontgomery]

you can easily raise the garage door track to flat up against the ceiling, only need a little more vertical track on each side to get it up to ceiling.