A proper three-quarter-ton stand can be an extra set of hands when you need them most-—plus so much more.
Illustration by Adam Hale, The Daily Splice
If you use a lift to work on your cars, you’re already doing well. A lift makes access to hard-to-reach parts of your car far, far easier. But most people don’t have access to this kind of convenience, and even then, using a lift has a few drawbacks. Lowering and lifting heavy items, like exhausts and drive shafts, can be difficult, especially if you’re by yourself. The same goes for compressing suspension pieces or lifting drivetrain components into place. That’s why, even if you have a lift, you should also have a heavy-duty three-quarter-ton under hoist stand.
An under hoist stand is exactly what it sounds like. Essentially a big pole with a solid base and a contoured saddle on top, it can be used for a variety of maintenance and repair jobs while a car is on a lift. Most stands have a spindle inside with a handle that can be rotated to adjust the height of the saddle, allowing you to raise and lower items you’d otherwise be unable to lift on your own.
With an under hoist stand handy, the possibilities for easy repairs and installations are endless. It’s like having an extra set of hands with you at all times. Removing heavy or awkwardly shaped exhaust piping becomes a walk in the park. Same goes for drive shafts, skidplates, subframes, and other hefty under-body items.
Under Hoist Support Stand with Foot Pedal
Sunex
$123.74
Buy Now
And under hoist stands can be used for more than just lifting heavy parts. With some accuracy, stands can be used to tension or place suspension parts for proper installation. The spindle allows you to make micro-adjustments on the fly, meaning you can position gigantic pieces of metal that would otherwise be awkward to lift with perfect precision. Lining hubs up to control arms goes from a stressful mess to a routine part of your day. Stands can even be used to lift entire drivetrain components, such as engines or transmissions, off of mounts for easy replacement. The only reason I was able to replace the engine mounts on my M3 project is because I had a three-quarter-ton under hoist stand on hand.
The best part? These stands aren’t prohibitively expensive. This high-quality Sunex unit on Amazon can be yours for just $124.88 and comes with things like padded twist handles and a foot pump. If you want to save a bit of cash, Sunex also makes a stand without the foot pedal for just $108.88. And if you plan to lift things that weigh more than three quarters of a ton, Stark makes an under hoist tripod stand that can support up to two tons. It’s priced at only $115.95, though it’s a good deal bulkier than the other two options.
Keyword: If You Use a Lift to Work on Your Car, You Need an Under Hoist Stand