The Best Cheap and Practical Alternative to a Car Lift

We’re excited to share a super affordable, practical alternative to a car lift. Now, we all know car lifts are awesome, but they come with a hefty price tag and need a big space with tall ceilings, which not everyone has. So, what’s the solution? Well, let me tell you, I stumbled upon something that gets the job done without breaking the bank!

Let’s dive in!

Meet the Hero: The Old Alignment Rack

Alright, let’s get to it. What you see here is an old-school alignment machine. It was originally designed for front-end alignments, but all that alignment gear is long gone. Now, it’s just a sturdy set of ramps. Perfect, right? This baby is about 28 feet long, which is plenty of space for any vehicle. One of the standout features? The bearing swivels at the end,making turning your tires a breeze, even with the car off!

The Big Win: A solid alternative to a full-blown lift without the huge cost.

Bonus: The ramp has removable panels, so once you get your vehicle up there, you’ve got tons of space to work underneath.

Turning Rust into Glory

When I first picked this up, it was a rusty heap of metal. But hey, nothing a little elbow grease couldn’t fix! I wire-wheeled the entire thing down to bare metal and hit it with a fresh coat of Ford blue paint. Now, it’s looking sharp, though I’ll admit my gravel driveway means the tires bring stones that chip the paint. But hey, that’s part of the deal when you’re wrenching on your ride in a backyard shop!

Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for rust, especially if you’re driving up and down gravel or dirt – paint chips are inevitable!

Shed Some Light on the Situation

Here’s a fun little mod I did: added some lights! Underneath the rack, I mounted lights on L-brackets angled up. They flood the underside of the car with light, making it super easy to see what you’re working on. Trust me, when you’re under there in the middle of an oil change, that extra lighting is a lifesaver.

DIY Mod Alert: A little creativity goes a long way – this lighting hack makes those tight spaces easier to work in.

Room for Improvement: I only did one side to avoid closing it off too much, but you could go all-out if you really want that extra illumination.

Gettin’ Down to Business

The best part about this setup is how easy it makes routine maintenance. Whether it’s an oil change or more involved jobs like dropping the transmission, the clearance under the vehicle is just right. You can’t quite sit up on a creeper, but you’re close. I’ve had tons of different cars up here, and the convenience is unbeatable. No more crawling on your back, struggling to twist your arms into impossible positions.

Practicality Check: For the price of this setup, you’re getting a safe, sturdy platform that gives you loads of space to work comfortably.

The Search for a Deal

I’ve seen these old alignment racks floating around on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. They’re not exactly rare, and you can score one for anywhere between $100 and $300 if you keep your eyes peeled. For that price, this thing pays for itself with how easy it makes working on your vehicle.

Deal Finder’s Guide: Keep checking online listings. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a gem like this at an unbeatable price.

Wrap-Up

Hopefully this gives you some ideas for your garage setup. If you’re tired of crawling around on the floor and want a cheaper alternative to a full lift, keep an eye out for one of these old alignment racks. With a little cleanup and a couple of mods, it’ll make your life a whole lot easier.