• From: Houston, TX
  • Registered: 2012-06-21
  • Posts: 1,608

Topic: Has anyone ever used a Ranger Quickjack or Dannmar MaxJax?

I'm looking for a portable lifting solution that I can use in my own garage, but also in the large (~2,000 s.f.) permanent shop space which my team is in the middle of acquiring now. The vague plan is that we'd use this portable system in the team shop space until we can collectively afford to purchase a real, grown-up car lift.

I've been looking at the Ranger Quickjack, but I'm wondering how useful this thing really is, and if it's worth the ~$1300 price tag. Looks way easier than jackstands, but it's still only 22" of lift, and it blocks both sides of the car. On the other hand, it is super-portable, i.e. we could even take it to racetracks. And going under from the front of the car is almost always the default anyway. (I assume we could just drape the hydraulic lines over the hood for clear creeper access.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Qye_-Lyb58
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/rnr-5175188-d

I can't help but wonder if I should just put that money toward something like a Dannmar MaxJax, which is still semi-portable and gets you 48" for ~$2300. But then I think, "why would you, a 76" tall human, buy a whole lift system that only goes to 48", when you eventually plan to go in on a full-size lift anyway?" This thing is designed for people (like me) who have a regular-height home garage but still want a lift. But unlike most people with a garage, I'm going to have access to a high-ceiling shop here in a couple months, making this thing pretty moot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRjdBeTk7Fw
http://www.costco.com/Dannmar-MaxJax%E2 … 89445.html

So the Quickjack is probably better for me in terms of a decent intermediate solution that will still be useful in the future. Has anyone here ever used either of these, and do you regret the purchase? Are there better options out there? Anything else I'm missing? Is there Life on Mars? Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?

Escape Velocity Racing
  • From: NH
  • Registered: 2010-01-20
  • Posts: 3,299

Re: Has anyone ever used a Ranger Quickjack or Dannmar MaxJax?

The 3 Pedal Mafia guys have the quick jacks. They seem quite awesome for a portable solution. They can probably chime in with direct comments.

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  • From: Menomonee Falls, WI
  • Registered: 2013-02-12
  • Posts: 300

Re: Has anyone ever used a Ranger Quickjack or Dannmar MaxJax?

My father-in-law has a quickjack.  I was looking at buying one and also was considering taking it to races...but the shipping weight on that thing is over 1000#, it's probably not as portable as you think it is.

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  • Registered: 2011-02-22
  • Posts: 934

Re: Has anyone ever used a Ranger Quickjack or Dannmar MaxJax?

To me, it seems a 48" lift is just not high enough...you're still on your back or crawling around under it.  I'd save my money and wait for a full lift.  We have the Bendpak extra wide 10k full lift and love it.  We should have bought it years ago...I'd be much younger now.  It's $2860 delivered.

  • Registered: 2014-06-01
  • Posts: 165

Re: Has anyone ever used a Ranger Quickjack or Dannmar MaxJax?

If you don't need portable and have 220v, the Tuxedo lift has a good price point.

http://jmcautomotiveequipment.com/tuxed … oCCJzw_wcB

  • From: Hayward, CA
  • Registered: 2010-03-23
  • Posts: 1,762

Re: Has anyone ever used a Ranger Quickjack or Dannmar MaxJax?

Just up-cycle!

Craigslist.

$1500 in West Houston, 9K lift
http://houston.craigslist.org/pts/5157607584.html

2 post $1200
http://houston.craigslist.org/tls/5174404641.html

6000 lbs 2 post $1600
http://houston.craigslist.org/tls/5168041643.html

plenty more if you just search.

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?Everyone who has ever built anywhere a 'new heaven' first found the power thereto in his own hell- Frederick Nietzsche
  • From: Birdsboro, PA
  • Registered: 2009-10-26
  • Posts: 892

Re: Has anyone ever used a Ranger Quickjack or Dannmar MaxJax?

We have a set of the QuickJack 3500 lb models.  I use them at home and bring them to races.  They are easily handled by one person each, as is the pump.  We are very pleased with them overall, though the instructions upon arrival were crap, they have worked very well and are really awesome for getting the car in the air to change tires, etc at the end of the day, or for the usual oil and brake pad changes at home.  Don't consider it a lift really, consider it an awesome alternative to jack and stands.

Chris from 3 Pedal Mafia
  • From: Salem Oregon
  • Registered: 2010-08-05
  • Posts: 147

Re: Has anyone ever used a Ranger Quickjack or Dannmar MaxJax?

I've had the max jax for several years now. Paid $1950 delivered. I have a 10' ceiling in my garage so I can get max lift. Comfortable working on car with a rolling stool. Agreed. You can't stand under car but I'd never get a full lift in my garage. Runs on 110v so economical. Can't imagine not having a lift again. I've been trying to figure out how I could bring it to the track. It uses five bolts on each post so the tracks probably would frown on me drilling holes in their Tarmac or concrete.

https://www.facebook.com/vincent.parker.3705
  • ronman
  • ronman
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  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2009-09-15
  • Posts: 1,842

Re: Has anyone ever used a Ranger Quickjack or Dannmar MaxJax?

Speedycop has the Max Jax. It's pretty amazing.

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Galaxie Driver/not Parnelli Jones
  • Registered: 2014-03-07
  • Posts: 133

Re: Has anyone ever used a Ranger Quickjack or Dannmar MaxJax?

Quickjacks are totally sweet especially when youre in a rush between tight practice sessions. I see a lot of them at pro racing paddocks. They also lock really hard. I was worried id be crushsd but ive tested them and they work great.

  • From: Houston, TX
  • Registered: 2012-06-21
  • Posts: 1,608

Re: Has anyone ever used a Ranger Quickjack or Dannmar MaxJax?

At this point, I've ruled out the MaxJax. Since the team is looking for real shop space, we've decided we're going to get a full-size lift eventually, so it doesn't make sense to get a mid-rise unit since we don't need the portability either. We are still considering the QuickJack for shop and track use, but we're also looking at buying or building some rally-style jackstands and welding lift points to the race car.

Escape Velocity Racing
  • Registered: 2011-10-14
  • Posts: 4,167

Re: Has anyone ever used a Ranger Quickjack or Dannmar MaxJax?

One for sale locally...to me at least...used.
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/tls/5198389549.html

  • bshorey
  • bshorey
  • Lemons Staff Stalker
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  • Registered: 2009-10-06
  • Posts: 1,448

Re: Has anyone ever used a Ranger Quickjack or Dannmar MaxJax?

Craigslist is your friend.  You can find decent used 7k - 9k lb lifts there for $1,000 - $1,500.  I wouldn't invest in a new portable lift for more than that.  And, if you need something in a hurry, you can probably find a used version of whatever portable you're looking at for $500 - $1,000.

bs