Two post lifting a bronco....lift points advice?

[tx1ton]

Ok, the 10K lift is installed in my "Garage Mahal"!

Now the interesting part....where's the best place(s) to put the lift pads to safely lift a bronco? It's odd to think but our stock wheelbase is so short you actually have to drive forward of the lifts center, swing the front arms of the lift under, back up a bit to center the vehicle and swing the back arms of the lift under. Then, with our very angular frame rails, rear leafs, and front radius arms there's sure not a really obvious best placement of the lifting pads. I tried putting them to the mounting brackets of the radius arms up front and the front spring hangers in back...it works but does not seem super stable.

Anyone have thoughts/experience/advice on where best to lift a bronco? My lift is a Bendpak 10,000 symmetric two post clearfloor...

I think it'll work really well on longer vehicles such as my SD as well as on lengthened drivetrain broncos or those with modified suspensions (linked) so my latest project (Betty) will be easier but with my "stock" wheelbase /drivetrain rides (GoJo and Crunch) I am not planning on going there....at least no time soon!

Thanks

Joe

 

[69svt]

i put the rear pads on the spring hanger and halfway up the radius arms works pretty good

 

[tx1ton]

Thanks, that's interesting...up front you actually lift from the radius arm and not the frame? Next time you do this could you shoot me a pic or two?

Appreciate it!!

Joe

 

[BroncoWyatt]

I have always lifted off the spring hanger in the rear, and on the radius arm mt on front, or sometimes on the radius arm itself.

 

[tx1ton]

One of the other LEBC'ers mentioned lifting off the radius arm too - I'd not thought of that so will definitely try it...thanks! I do think it a good idea to tie the bronco to the arms with ratchet straps as well...so when wrenching or adding/removing weighty items you don't go imbalanced and slide off....

Thanks for the inputs!


Joe

 

[Dbteak]

i put the rear pads on the spring hanger and halfway up the radius arms works pretty good

Thats how I lift mine. The bronco is centered in the lift about a foot back from the front of the door.

Doug

 

[Madgyver]

Just a thought but maybe weld up some lift points to the rockrails if you have them and if it is welded solid to the frame.

Just an idea since I've use the rails to attach a strap and winch my rig back unto its wheels out on the trail.

Interesting, I too would like to see pics.

 

[Dusty]

We always do as 69svt and the others have said: on the rear spring hanger and about halfway up the radius arm. Here's a pic that shows one of our customer's rigs on the lift, it shows the lift pad placement pretty good.

Dusty

 

[tx1ton]

Awesome, that really helps, thanks so much!!

Once I have time I'll post some pics of the lift and my steeds up on it...

Joe

 

[BroncoWyatt]

One of the other LEBC'ers mentioned lifting off the radius arm too - I'd not thought of that so will definitely try it...thanks! I do think it a good idea to tie the bronco to the arms with ratchet straps as well...so when wrenching or adding/removing weighty items you don't go imbalanced and slide off....

Thanks for the inputs!


Joe

Straps would work. In my shop, whenver we have concerns about stabiilty on the 2 post lift, we place some tall screw jacks under each end if needed. Keeps things from rocking too bad.

 

[okorangebrnco]

I had a bronco slide off a two post once when I went half way on the radius arm. I always went to the radius mount and spring mount and used screw jacks.

 

[tx1ton]

Yep, I'm going to try a few ways to do it but am also going to pick up some tall screw type jacks - may get some tripod 2 ton'ers too for when I have the Superduty up on the lift...

Thanks,
Joe

 

[DonsBolt]

Since you will be lifting the bronco often I would make some brackets you can mount, or slide on the pads. That way you will know it is secure.

The guy that works on my Lightning made special brackets to lift Lightning with out 58 inch traction bars, what a difference it makes. If I go to anyother place I alllmost allways have to remove the bars if they have to lift it.

 

[Carl]

Can someone explain the difference between an asymmetric and a symmetric lift? Also what are the advantages or disadvantages of using a four post lift instead of a two post lift? I'm in the market for a lift, but I can't decide which one I need.

 

[bowhunter]

Tx1ton - Even though I've lifted using the radius arms, I wouldn't recommend it on a regular basis. I manuever my front pads (using my 4" extensions) up and over the radius arms and under the frame. It gives you a much more stable lift. You might have to move the EB slightly to get it just right.

Always use reinforcements after lifting.....ratchet straps, screw jacks, etc. Being too safe is never a bad ideal. It beats the alternative!!

Good luck and have fun with your new lift.

Dale

 

[Broncitis]

Can someone explain the difference between an asymmetric and a symmetric lift? Also what are the advantages or disadvantages of using a four post lift instead of a two post lift? I'm in the market for a lift, but I can't decide which one I need.

I'm not an expert (the 10K Rotary 2 post I picked up last week is still banded on the skid), however, I have looked into these for a while before buying.

The 4 post is a bit easier and safer to use, but it takes more room and limits access to some of the chassis and does not allow tire/axle removal or suspension droop without optional rolling jacks that run along the deck.

The asymetric centers the load between the posts a bit better and also gives a bit better access to open the doors on most vehicles. Some asymetrics simply have the front two arms shorter than the rear and some have the posts actually rotated (sometimes also in conjuntion with different or telescopic arms).

Another key item IMO is if the cables are overhead or on the ground. I did not want anything on the ground that would impede rolling a tranny jack, fluid drain or other item under the vehicle.

I need to see what adaptors I might need for my lift, but I'm not thinking I will be a big fan of lifting on the radius arms. Seems I will want to be able to droop the front end. Actually, my trail rig is in the middle of getting front and rear CAGE long arms, so I may have to make some type of custom adaptor or lifting points on the frame.

Theres some good info here:

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/

http://www.rotarylift.com/

 

[Carl]

Thanks Drew. I kind of like the idea of a 4 post, but like you said, it would limit access to some parts.