How to lift a Tacoma on large scissor lift that is too wide ?

I was gobsmacked to find a Tacoma wont work with a scissor lift.

I have a large Twin Busch Scissor lift that works like a Charm and is safe as heck.
It works fantastic for my MB's Volvo and VW's
https://www.twinbusch.com/product_info.php?products_id=8

However I cannot lift my Tacoma Truck !
The frame on the Tacoma so narrowly spaced that it is not possible for the lift platforms to grab the frame.

Obviously I need two pieces of train track or similar the Tacoma can rest on.
As train track is unobtainium these days, that is not an option. Sleepers are risky as you never know if the wood is weak somewhere and will cave.

The most affordable option I could find is to use 2 or 4 Steel columns. It is the most affordable option I could find. Four should be safe, with them placed in pairs at two points as crossbars.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Tiger-B...ing-Support-Column-3-in-O-D-3A-8084/202086528

Anyone has a similar problem and found a better and affordable way to lift a Tacoma on a scissor lift ?

 

I know How I would fix it .

Make Arms to extend from the Original pieces From the Website it does not look like it is all that far .

After all unless you have lots of Armour your not dealing with much weight .

 

Good point, but I wonder if a scissor lift is going to take the immense increase in torque. the weight is not much but each arm will ad lots more torque and it is all to the center.
Your suggestion will work if I also add two flush beams that connect the platforms at the top at two positions. But then it defies the objective as I can just use cross beams in the first place.

Good suggestion though. I will keep it in mind thanks.

 

To add anyone has a good idea for the strongest most affordable beams I can use as cross-beams to lift the Tacoma on ?
As in my original post I suggested steel columns, but they are not really designed to take forces from the side.

 

can you weld?

I would be looking at building something out of C3 or C4 steel channel. You're going to have to get materials from a local steel supply. Nothing from Home Depot or Lowes is going to be sufficient

 

I think I'd just turn the lift sideways.

You would have to work a bit to find the proper weight distribution. It would still be way better than 4 jacks or jack stands.

 

Thanks Koditten;

Sideways, I thought about that, but it the covers the transmission where most of the time is spent.
Push comes to showe, this is the way to go - spot on.

But long term no.

 

Wulf;

I can Mig weld, and is good at Tig Welding and believe it or not, is quite bad at stick ! -lol.
I do a lot of Aluminum and stainless with TIG.
I have a Miller 200 Syncrowave Tig I really dislike and dont use. It is still brand new.
Replaced it with a 40lb weight HTG 200A Inverter, which weighs next to nothing and literally runs rings around the about 500lb 200A albatross Miller.
It reminds me to sell that asap. I wanted to make a large Spot Welder out of it at some stage.

My TIG needs to be replaced. It is a bit of a low dollar TIG that does the job, but I need to get a good more unavoidably expensive one that can handle a bit thicker material.

I have a large metal supply company close by but the prices are literally enormous. This is living close to DC for you. Everything has Pelosi prices attached.That is why I consider the Home Depot Steel supports as it is about a third the price these monkeys charge just for two thick wall steel square tubes.

Maybe I should just drive about and find a Junk yard. They usually dont have dimensional steel stock last time I checked, but maybe things changed.

 

How hard to adjust the lift to narrow it to fit your Tacoma then when needed wider slide back to the dimension for your other vehicles ?.

Is this bolted to the floor just a matter of a few more holes.

 

That would have been very nice, but the lift is a monolithic unit, not bolted to anything.
The benefit is though that I can move it around, being one piece and that is helpful.
Guess I will have to go buy thick wall steel square.

 

You'd likely be better off with a I or W beam over HSS for the size/weight.

 

Thanks a lot for the advice. I will go get some at the metal shop.