Correct lift points for a 2 post car lift

[atxatxatx]

Recently moved into a new house, and it has a Challenger CL9 lift installed in the garage. I also have the 6" truck adapters

I wanted to ask for the correct lift points on the frame to raise my Gladiator up safely, I've tried googling etc with very mixed results. If someone could share photos or a diagram on where to have the arms contact the frame it would be greatly appreciated.

Not doing too much work right now(lots of other house projects), just an oil change, wheel rotation etc.

Sponsored

 

[Edub]

I don't know the correct answer, I would imagine anywhere along the frame so long as its well balanced..

But that's not why I'm commenting. I simply came here to say that I hate you. I don't give a damn what the rest of the house looks like, that there is my dream garage. that is all.

 

[gpwrang33]

I'm no expert but i would say you would need to find the center of the truck. if you don't get an answer i would start center then raise it up a few inches and give it a shake and see how it handles it. i would imagine favor the front more due to the motor. i think the biggest thing after you find the sweet spot is to mark it on the wall or put one of those tire stops so you know where it is every time you go to use it. i'm in the same boat with edub lol who cares about the house but congrats on getting a lift.

 

[SteveInOrlando]

What I remember is you place the lift pads at the furthest forward and backward you can go before the flat area under the center of the truck curves up. I would guess the lift posts should be somewhere around the door handles of the front doors.

I am truly jealous of that garage. We downsized house 2 years ago, small house means small garage.

 

[Deleted member 22728]

It's a little tough to make out positioning with enclosed pic, but with this particular gas JT, the center of gravity is just forward the front door handle. I put the transfer case in neutral, just to I can move it around if necessary; the rear lift pads rest ahead of the lower control arm pockets, with the fronts just aft the front lower mounts. I've placed the front pads under the lower arm mount, when the vehicle is not having suspension work done. See pic.

 

[atxatxatx]

I don't know the correct answer, I would imagine anywhere along the frame so long as its well balanced..

But that's not why I'm commenting. I simply came here to say that I hate you. I don't give a damn what the rest of the house looks like, that there is my dream garage. that is all.

Ha, thank you. I've waited a long time to have a garage big enough for a lift. Excited to use it, I'm not getting any younger - so putting a car up on Jack stands each time was starting to hurt me.

 

[atxatxatx]

I'm no expert but i would say you would need to find the center of the truck. if you don't get an answer i would start center then raise it up a few inches and give it a shake and see how it handles it. i would imagine favor the front more due to the motor. i think the biggest thing after you find the sweet spot is to mark it on the wall or put one of those tire stops so you know where it is every time you go to use it. i'm in the same boat with edub lol who cares about the house but congrats on getting a lift.

Yea, I'm hoping to find that sweet spot to mark a spot on the floor where I can roll in and have it ready to lift up. The list is an asymmetrically design, so apparently there is more flexibility with them for a center point. However I myself also want to have it centered as good as possible with the main posts.

 

[atxatxatx]

What I remember is you place the lift pads at the furthest forward and backward you can go before the flat area under the center of the truck curves up. I would guess the lift posts should be somewhere around the door handles of the front doors.

I am truly jealous of that garage. We downsized house 2 years ago, small house means small garage.

Thank you, yes when I was looking underneath when the frame curves up is what threw me off a bit, so I figured I'd ask online for more knowledgeable advice.

 

[atxatxatx]

It's a little tough to make out positioning with enclosed pic, but with this particular gas JT, the center of gravity is just forward the front door handle. I put the transfer case in neutral, just to I can move it around if necessary; the rear lift pads rest ahead of the lower control arm pockets, with the fronts just aft the front lower mounts. I've placed the front pads under the lower arm mount, when the vehicle is not having suspension work done. See pic.

Thanks for sharing this photo, it's helpful to me.

over the weekend I found out that the Automotive Lift Institute have a reference book for lifting points, so I went ahead and ordered that for $15. Hopefully the gladiator is in this, anyway I can use this reference guide for my other vehicles also. When I get the book and see what they have advised for the gladiator I'll come back and share it here.

I'm sure I'm overthinking this with my lift point questions, but I just want to be safe and do it the right way thus why I posted here. Thanks for the responses, it's a very helpful community.

 

[GCoop]

Saw this picture in another thread here and thought it may help the OP and others with the same question.

 

[Hootbro]

Here is the standard lift procedures from Tech Authority for the Gladiator.

 

[atxatxatx]

Thanks for the responses. Used my lift successfully yesterday.

 

[LostWoods]

The rule on a lift is that you want the pads as far apart as possible with the center of gravity as close to the posts as you can. So in this case I'd have them just fore/aft of the control arm mounts and adjust location of the truck relative to the rack accordingly. If you have things like bumpers, armor, winch, cap, etc. it will impact where the centerline needs to be but the shop manual is a good starting point.

 

[Blade1668]

I know that my LJ isn't stable on any two post lifts, my XJ was flat out scary on one. Something you might want to do sometime is take it on a scale get front axle weight, total and rear axle weight. I have took mine across scales few times with the gear I have in it. This was the weights on mine last time and full fuel tank. Your's probably won't be quite as heavy as mine is.
My JT's weight
2920 Front axle, 6060 full vehicle
3120 rear axle
Some where I have a missing 20 lbs. ?
That will give you a center of balance front to rear, ideally it's done with 4 individual scales but that can get you close.

 

[atvkid4eva]

Bringing this thread back up...I would like to use the square frame pads on my 2-post lift. The only location giving me issues is the driver side rear location due to the gas tank skid plate (Pic circled).

Are you guys just using the round puck and getting as much engagement as possible? It looks like that's what's happening in the pic

Sponsored