Using the Kwik-Lift Car Ramp

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.

[brianhanson]

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.

[monkeywrangler]

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.

[StilettoSniper]

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.

[dadmezz]

Never saw this type before. Seems very practical.

[emergingloki]

Hi Bob! Hello from the UK. Loved the review. Never seen these over here. Look like a relatively simple home build. You've got me thinking!

[wiedapp]

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.

[AdrianJayeOnline]

hey bob, ignore the haters, I liked your style of video, nice, easy to watch and listen, keep on truckin buddy

[glennr]

I wish I could find a set of these ramps. Looks perfect for my needs.

[DK]

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.

[analogman]

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.

[williambirnbaum]

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.

[rocknrod]

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.

[nodak]

My only advice is to get some hard rubber tire chocks. I've seen tires just push those plastic ones right out of the way because they're too slippery.

[ICPREYROEVIPERGTS]

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.

[Ozzypup]

Huh pretty cool. Never even heard of these. Going to have to check them out.

[sfcd]

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

[mrblack]

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

[kingtut]

Looks like the best one and easy to make,

[wk]

I have the Air/Hydraulic floor jack, works great.😊

[ivlark]

Seems like a simple and useful product