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I'd heard someone mention using an ATV/motorcycler lift was better than using a regular floor jack. The idea seemed good,
and so I looked over the ATV/Motrocycle lifts on sale at Harbor Frieght, and bought the more expensive of the two I saw. This one
is a combo steel & aluminum device, much lighter than the all steel version.

After working with this model one afternoon, swapping engines on and off our dry-sump test rig, it was easy to recognize the ATV lift
is far superior to a floor jack. Not to mention more stable.

FJC

I'm on my second one, I got the all aluminum version about 5-6 years ago, has been very handy.
(you can pick it up and fling it about with one hand, looks ~identical to the one you have but all aluminum)

It is really only short an adjustable ~engine specific fore/aft "tilt" plate to be the perfect one-man ACVW engine removal/install tool, but it's far from a showstopper, as I have never gotten around to making it

They are stable enough to use as an engine work stand for top end work, tin, clutch etc.
Paired with a mechanics stool it makes for a perfect work setup for the fiddly bits.

They also make for a ~great adjustable height work stool with a bit of plywood on top (with anti-slide pins in the ply).
Handy for us... "highly experienced" folks working on brakes etc... don't have to sit on the ground anymore.

Once you use one, everything else is drek, and you cannot imagine ever trying to balance an engine on a jack pad, and you wonder how anyone ever though that was a good idea.

I was playing with the idea of something like this for the next stage of working on the pan and body before engine and other things are added when it get to the jack stand but 1000#s was getting a bit too close: http://www.harborfreight.com/1000-lb-ca ... -8495.html I think the stuff on top is detachable but not 100% sure.

Lee

Been using the one like linked to below for years.... Love it.... When I first got it it was at a FLAPS for $59 (10-12 years ago).....

http://www.harborfreight.com/1500-lb-ca ... 60536.html

The nice thing about it is to goes between the legs on my engine stand (H type base).....

Dale

We've been using a very old transmission jack for many years. It is of the type Pile mentioned, having multiple tilt, rock, and roll, capabilities.

I have the steel one from HF and it is by far the best jack to use for a VW engine install/removal tool. Sits the engine level and make my life easier.

Dale M. wrote:Been using the one like linked to below for years.... Love it.... When I first got it it was at a FLAPS for $59 (10-12 years ago).....

http://www.harborfreight.com/1500-lb-ca ... 60536.html

The nice thing about it is to goes between the legs on my engine stand (H type base).....

Dale

That was ~my first one, (SAMS Club version)
The issue with that is that the pump etc stick up in the way, it isn't truly (completely) flat like the later models.
Gets in the way of headers, T4 fan housings etc.

Still beats the hell out of a std floor jack. (need to get a new bottle jack for my old one, in perfect shape otherwise)

The good news is Harbor Freight just opened up 15 minutes up the road.
The bad news is Harbor Freight just opened up 15 minutes up the road...

Piledriver wrote:
The good news is Harbor Freight just opened up 15 minutes up the road.
The bad news is Harbor Freight just opened up 15 minutes up the road...

Set to open this year is a HF less than 3 miles from my house.
Even better/worse, is that it is on my way home.

Been eyeballing one of these for years after dragging motors on and off of floor jacks. Always looked like it might be just the ticket. This thread convinces me to spend even more the next time at harbor freight. Don't tell my wife.

doc

doc wrote:Been eyeballing one of these for years after dragging motors on and off of floor jacks. Always looked like it might be just the ticket. This thread convinces me to spend even more the next time at harbor freight. Don't tell my wife.

doc

Shhhhhhhhh. Wont hear it from us.

It's a problem when you have a HF store about 15 miles away.

doc

helowrench wrote:

Piledriver wrote:
The good news is Harbor Freight just opened up 15 minutes up the road.
The bad news is Harbor Freight just opened up 15 minutes up the road...

Set to open this year is a HF less than 3 miles from my house.
Even better/worse, is that it is on my way home.

They're getting to be like Walmart... one on every corner. I have an alarm in my head that goes off if I get too close to the HF over here.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Powerbuilt-4 ... /203116734

Interesting