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Re: Anyone build/have a pit in their garage? Posted by TML [Email] (#2212) [Profile/Gallery] (more from TML) on Thu, 27 Mar 2014 08:37:50 In Reply to: Anyone build/have a pit in their garage?, EAnderson, Wed, 26 Mar 2014 17:15:23 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
My dad built one of these into his garage 35 years ago. It's better for some things, worse for others. Having used it a number of times, and used a lift, I would never choose to have a pit.
Advantages: minimal set up time (easier to drive the car over a pit than it is to line it up over a lift, however you do have to remove and replace those planks and have somewhere to put them). I'm sure there are other minor advantages, but honestly that's about the only one that comes to mind. The only jobs I could say for sure it would be quicker for is an oil change or brake bleeding, or possibly replacing exhaust parts.
Disadvantages: the pit is underground, and the bottom is probably below the water table. Concrete is not waterproof, so it will fill up with water. You need a sump pump in there. If you try to make it waterproof, it will probably just crack the concrete. Going up and down the ladder to get parts, tools, etc. becomes pretty annoying. Some jobs also require alternating top and bottom access, and that is REALLY tiresome. You need a pretty big floor space, lengthwise, in order to have the pit that allows complete bottom access plus room to get in and out with the vehicle there, plus a walkway and a work bench (my dad's garage is lacking in this department, so it means bending and squeezing sometimes to get to and from the pit). Any job that requires removing the wheels means you need jack stands as well, somewhat making the pit redundant. The pit is very cold in the winter, and lighting is a challenge. I think they are illegal in a lot of places.
posted by 198.84.247...
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