Lokiel's "Gina" (2004 Titanium SE)

[ManiacLachy]

Funny you should say that, as I'm currently considering whether or not to re-install the Ac when I finally do my radiator upgrade. The last couple of times I've dríven the car, it's been bearable, but I'm waiting to see how it copes with summer, especially now that I have a permanent black hardtop installed on the car

Yeah, with a hardtop AC is pretty much needed. But with my soft top and it's zip down rear window I can get a lot of air flow (while moving).

The only time I find I need AC is the middle of summer in peak hour stop/start traffic, or under summer midday sun. If I ever get the car back on the ground I'll have a chance to better evaluate, especially now that the Subaru has me used to the pleasure of good AC once again, maybe I will want it in the MX-5 now?

[Lokiel]

The "Easy button" ManiacLachy is to remove the AN-10 compressor hose and receiver/drier cannister (if it's in the way), install your new turbo kit, and see how you like it over summer. If you truly don't mind, rip out all the plumbing, otherwise it's less hassle to put back what's needed.

I have way too many memories as a kid of 3 kids in the vinyl backseat with no A/C driving long distances in summer - I can't live without A/C in the car.

PS: I suggested to Rev9 that they may want to supply a version of the kit WITHOUT the compressor to make it cheaper - users can source one from a wrecker then for much cheaper.

[Lokiel]

Over the Xmas break I had to replace the left rear shock on Buzz, my SP23, so had to take Gina off jack stands, and put Buzz on them.
In Brisbane's humid summer, just getting the car on stands is a massive effort and I'm not getting any younger.

Jacking Gina's rear is annoying too since I have the Beatrush PPF brace so can't simply put the jack under "the pumpkin" anymore (I use a triangular-shaped piece of hardwood on the jack that barely fits inside the triangular brace so needs a bit of jiggling).

When I eventually put Gina back on jackstands, I went inside for a cool drink and couldn't be farked doing anything more because it was so hot&humid.

After that I decided NOW was the time to buy this since I've wanted it forever:


- it's the QuickJACK BL-3500SLX with the 220V power unit from MyAutoGarage.com.au
https://myautogarage.com.au/collections/quickjacks/products/bl-3500-slx-car-lift?variant=28969398829133

I had it delivered to work and received a call as the driver, from Toll, was approaching so arranged to get him to pull up next to Buz zin the car park and unload it there (having a bright yellow car you can't miss has some advantages) - beat that for delivery Australia Post!

This is the smallest of the QuickJACKs and is suitable for MX5s and my SP23.

Can't wait to try it out this weekend!

[ManiacLachy]

I've been wanting a set of these myself for ages! Should take a lot of the pain out of jacking up the car.

Be sure to post a review not only of how they are to setup and raise the car, but how working under the car is with these - they're quite bulky and you can no longer access the car from the sides, maybe not an issue in practice?

[plohl]

Interested in getting your thoughts on them

[Lokiel]

Definitely will post review comments.
Watching this setup video https://www.quickjack.com/setup-video/ makes it seem it takes a while to set up initially but if I can find an easy place to store them in my garage, it should be easy after that.

QuickJACKs are bloody expensive but if they work "as advertised", they'll be worth it.

:
Be sure to post a review not only of how they are to setup and raise the car, but how working under the car is with these - they're quite bulky and you can no longer access the car from the sides, maybe not an issue in practice?

I don't think this concern is a biggie since you still have full access to the suspension - it's only an issue for exhaust, PPF, gearbox or rear engine work which you can access sliding under the front or rear.

[greenMachine]

... they're quite bulky and you can no longer access the car from the sides, maybe not an issue in practice?

Yes/No.

Jack the car up on them, place axle stands (maybe only on one side?), let down jack(s), remove jack(s) and access restored (will the hydraulic connections allow one to be removed while the other is under pressure?).

I suspect the changeover would require the axle stands to be placed, eg under suspension points, as the 'arms' wouldn't allow the use of the pinch points by the axle stands - might be wrong there though.

I will read review with interest too. I suspect that, for me, the price and effort to set up and remove would be too much. My technique is to use my Aldi floor jack to lift to max, place my 3t axle stands, lift again using a big wooden spacer, ratchet up axle stands, and I have a high relatively clear working area under the car. If doing wheel changes, brakes etc, floor jack a much cheaper, easier and more convenient option. YMMV though.

[plohl]

How much did they cost?

[Lokiel]

$2490 for the lift (cost included on the original link provided)
I also bought the 4 pinch-weld blocks which are not in stock yet
All up, including delivery, was about $2700 so it is expensive but I suspect I'll end up wishing I bit the bullet years earlier.

[Magpie]

You will see a lot of these used at tracks as they are portable and easy to use.

I keep wanting to add these to my shopping list... these or air jacks. But air jacks take up weight in the car and then you need a large bottle to power them... decisions.

[plohl]

So almost the cost of a second hand hoist, but you don't need a massive shed for them, and they're portable - ish. I doubt you'll be fitting them in the 5 plus other stuff you take to the track.

TBH, I would see them as too much of a pain in the ass at the track Mark, I have only seen a few people using them, but I would still say the majority use a trolley jack or the cars' fancy enough to have air jacks. Whether it's a budget thing or not I couldn't say.

[Lokiel]

If my garage was high enough, I'd have purchased a 2nd hand hoist years ago.
- they certainly can't be taken to the track IN the MX5

[ManiacLachy]

If they get Gina back on the road again, they're worth every penny!

[Lokiel]

I spent yesterday morning cleaning the garage up enough to install the QuickJACKs - lots of room needed for initial set-up.

Assembly of the jacks in the afternoon was going fine but then I hit the power unit assembly:


I didn't have the 2x straight hydraulic nipple fittings shown in Step 2!
I'd taken a photo of the fittings pack before I started and had actually noticed the 2x missing pieces, which I assume were those in Step 2.


The manual showed a slightly different fittings kit, which I assume was for the larger QuickJACK models since it included a few extra pieces AND the 2x straight hydraulic nipple fittings from Step 2 of the assembly instructions (see left side, middle fittings).


I'd watched the QuickJACK installation video several times, https://www.quickjack.com/setup-video/, and had never noticed that they were missing these 2x fittings too:


There's another subtle difference too - my fittings kit has 4x male quick-connect fittings that are EXACTLY the same (like the ones in the kit in photo # 3), whereas the kit in the video shows 2 different types, one set of 2 has a threaded end with an O-ring (these screw into the power unit) and the other set of 2 are like the 4 that I have.

I either need the 2x missing straight hydraulic fittings OR 2x male quick-connect fittings with threaded ends and O-rings (preferably the latter since there's one less point of failure per fitting)

My local SuperCheap and AutoBarn didn't have any hydraulic fittings so I'll try and sort something out with the QuickJACK supplier this week.

[bruce]

Perhaps there is something we are all mssing (perhaps the instructions aren't quite right)? i guess the supplier will give an easy answer.