The hardest thing about the...
The hardest thing about the Kwiklift is getting it off the truck. The basic Kwiklift weighs about 600 pounds. We happened to have an equipment rental company next door to our shop that supplied a forklift, but you could cut the bands and easily hand-unload the Kwiklift with a friend in a few minutes. We laid out the parts to be assembled, shown with the optional bridge that ties the ramps together to allow the use of a jack. This allows for removal of the tires with the car on the lift.
What contributes to the strength...
What contributes to the strength and flexibility of the Kwiklift is the fact that the two-piece ramps slide together. This allows you to adjust the length of the Kwiklift to suit your needs by moving the bolts in the holes provided to get measurements of 13 feet 3 inches, 14 feet, or 14 feet 9 inches. Make sure you slide the ramps together enough so that you can get four bolts in each ramp.
Be sure to use the provided...
Be sure to use the provided washers on the head and the nut side of each of the bolts, and tighten them securely. There are bolts and washers provided in the kit.
Next, we flipped the ramps...
Next, we flipped the ramps over and installed the lifting tube that ties the ramps together.
Its best to have a friend...
Its best to have a friend help with sliding the parts together.
Now go to the other end of...
Now go to the other end of the ramps and place the ramp on the support shelf provided on top of the front legs. The leg supports the ramp, and the rod simply keeps the leg in place.
Dont forget to install...
Dont forget to install the cotter pin through the end of the rod to keep it in place.
Use the supplied swivel rod...
Use the supplied swivel rod to rotate the lift tube.
Lower the hump in the lift...
Lower the hump in the lift tube to provide clearance to drive the vehicle on the lift then rotate the lift tube to allow the jack to go under the lift tube.
Youll need a jack thats...
Youll need a jack thats less than 5 inches to go under the tube and extends to 19 inches or higher to allow the legs to drop fully into place.
The rear legs have a pin...
The rear legs have a pin that locks the legs in position, and you simply have to pull the spring-loaded pin to allow the legs to drop down. Make sure the pin locks the legs down. Note: It will make it much easier to reach the pin for the legs if you assemble the lift so they are facing toward the outside of the lift.
Wed seen the Kwiklift display at several shows and were surprised to see how simple and yet effective these little lifts can be. There are no seals or cables to go bad on this lift, and you dont have to run electric cords to power any motors. Granted, other lifts allow you to stand under the car and offer more room, but if you cant afford a taller lift or the height of your garage prevents you from using one, this is the lift for you.
The Kwiklift will raise the car so that the chassis is approximately 30 inches above the garage floorplenty of room to get under your Corvette to change the oil, detail the chassis, or whatever you need to do. We slid the lift tube out of our Kwiklift, and found that it fits nicely up against the wall in our shop, but you could leave the lift assembled and simply park on it or pull the front legs, drop the ramps, and drive onto them. The convenience and value of this lift make a good case for having one in every garage, but well let you decide whether or not you care to eat chicken.
Special thanks to Scott Hallett for assisting with this story.