Couple things. First, after talking to someone who just built a garage and had an opener put in, I think the plan for Jamie's bay would be to change the opener style to one that goes on the side, assuming I have enough ceiling height to clear. That would buy me an extra foot or so of height which is sorely needed for lifting a vehicle. And I'd probably be in a position where I'd still need to close the garage door (and couldn't open it with the vehicle above a certain height). Then again that may just be for max height and max height isn't always needed. I think I can already get the SRX high enough for a full tire rotation with the garage door open so that is good to know. It may really only be the SRX that has height concerns with the garage door and opener in place.
Now let's look at the current Quick Jack offerings.
https://www.quickjack.com/car-lift-systems.html
There are a lot. They have two major characteristics: Lift capacity and length/spacing (think long vs short wheelbase). They don't have every combination but there are weight capacities of 3500, 5000, 6000 and 7000 lbs, as well as three different lengths (SLX, EXT and XLT, for short, medium and long). They are slowly building out their line to accommodate all needs, with six options available currently. I think the SLX options are right out, as is the 3,500 lb option. So I think I would narrow down to the latter three:
BL-5000EXT (5,000 lbs, medium length)
$1,420.00
BL-7000EXT (7,000 lbs, medium length)
$1,575.00
BL-6000XLT (6,000 lbs, long length)
$1,695.00
Some interesting specs.
Here's what they say about the "EXT" which used to be the longest offering until they added an even longer XLT:
EXTENDED-LENGTH Car Lift Design
The BL-5000EXT portable car lift has been redesigned to accommodate vehicles with longer wheelbases. We’ve increased the overall frame length and lift point spread by 6”. As a result, the minimum lift point spread is now 6” longer, as well. Our new portable car lift design better accommodates longer wheelbases and/or extended lift point spreads.
SLX minimum lift point spread: 29.5”
EXT minimum lift point spread: 37.4”
SLX maximum lift point spread: 60”
EXT maximum lift point spread: 66”
SLX overall frame length: 71”
EXT overall frame length: 75” (5000 model only)
They also offer multiple block styles and options include:
- No block
- Small rubber block
- Large rubber block
- Stacked blocks
- SUV adapter
- SUV adapter with pin extension
Generally you would use more adapter if the lift has to raise much off the ground before it gets to the lifting points, because otherwise you are throwing away height. On taller vehicles it is conceivable that without using some of these spacers, you may not even get the tires completely off the ground so they have their place. You may also need height for some jobs including exhaust work, transmission, or even removing an engine from the bottom (not sure if that is possible even at the max height). For oil changes, tire rotations, brakes and those kinds of things max height is probably not needed though it is still nice to have the fully drooped suspension at a comfortable working height when sitting on a roller stool.
Here are the key height specs for the 5000EXT:
A - Collapsed 3" / 76 mm
B - Collapsed w/ Small Block 3.8" / 97 mm
C - Raised (Frame Only) 17.6" / 447 mm
D - Raised (Small Block) 18.4" / 467 mm
E - Raised (Large Block) 19.2" / 487 mm
F - Raised (Stacked Blocks) 21.3" / 542 mm
G - SUV Adapters 20.3" / 516 mm
H - SUV Adapters (w/ Pin) 23.3" / 592 mm
First, you get 3" of min height fully collapsed with no blocks at all. So if the frame/lifting point is under 3", that is going to be a show stopper. You probably would want to use some kind of rubber and with the small block the min height goes up to 3.8". Height is also important if the use case is to put the two lifts in the center next to each other, drive over it and then pull them out to their positions. So it has to clear the front lip and any other low points. 3" is pretty low but I will measure the front deflector on my CTS-V as that would be my lowest.
From a total lift height standpoint you can see the progression as the different options are added. Again, those heights are at the point of contact with the vehicle, wherever that is.