ACL Systems

How to Use the All Car Lift

Removing the Vehicle Body from the Frame Using the All Car Lift (ACL)

The All Car Lift is designed to lift and work on vehicle bodies. It is not designed for lifting a complete vehicle. The All Car Lift is designed for use on level, hard surfaces.

Before using the All Car Lift to take a vehicle body off of the vehicle frame:

  • Remove the mounting bolts and disconnect all wiring, brake lines and other items attached to the vehicle body and frame. Also secure all wiring, brake lines, or other items that could prevent access, lines of sight, or interfere with separating the vehicle body and frame.
  • The ACL Base Units are fully assembled. Using the ACL System requires a minimal amount of additional assembly by the user.

Recommended Tools:

  • 2 Wrenches - 9/16” (not included).
  • 2 Floor Jacks (not included).
    • The Floor Jacks must be capable of lifting to an approximate height of 22".
    • The Floor Jacks are used for raising and lowering the vehicle body, one for use in the front and one for use in the rear. This helps ensure a level height between the front and rear of the vehicle during raising and lowering operations.
  • 2 Cross-Bar Attachments for the Floor Jacks (not included).
    • For use with each Floor Jack.
    • Cross-Bar Attachments add stability by widening the points of contact for lifting, and will add 6 " to 8" of lifting height.
  • 4 ACL Base Unit Jack Levers (included with the ACL system).
  • One 4" x 4" piece of wood (not included). The size of wood may vary depending on the vehicle frame's dimensions, and any parts or components attached to the frame.
    • Measure and pre-cut the 4" x 4" piece of wood into 2 pieces.
    • Label the pieces "Front" and "Back".
  • 2 Heavy Duty Locking Nylon Straps (not included). These will be used to secure the vehicle body to the ACL during use.

Attach the ACL Side Rails to the ACL Base Units

  • The ACL Side Rails are the 5' long pieces of Aluminum Tubing.
  • There are 3 holes pre-drilled in each end of both Side Rails, and 3 holes pre-drilled in each of the Saddle Brackets that the Side Rails will be fastened to.
  • Insert the Side Rails into the "U" shaped Saddle Brackets that are connected to the top of the Base Plate Jack rods, with the pattern of holes pointing downward diagonally, towards the outside of the vehicle frame.
  • Line up the pre-drilled holes in the Side Rails with the holes in the Saddle Brackets. Fasten the Side Rails to the ACL Base Units using the 9/16" bolts, nuts and washers provided.
  • 2 bolts must be used to fasten each end of the Side Rails, using any 2 of the 3 pre-drilled holes. * 2 bolts provide the necessary rigidity for the ACL to operate properly.
  • The "ACL" lettering lasercut into the Base Units must be facing outwards from the vehicle, and the Jack lift access tubes must be facing outward, to allow operation of the ACL Base Unit Jacks during use.
  • After both ACL Side Rails are attached to the ACL Base Units, position the complete ACL Side Rail assemblies on opposite sides of the vehicle, lengthwise and parallel to the vehicle body.

Insert the Top Rails between the Vehicle Body and Frame

  • Position the floor jacks under the frame, insuring they are inside the inner edges of the frame, in the front and in the rear.
  • Use the jacking points recommended by the vehicle manufacturer to safely lift the vehicle body. Do not attempt to lift the vehicle body in areas without the necessary structural strength.
  • Place the Cross-Bar Attachments securely onto the floor jacks. The Cross-Bar Attachments add stability and additional lifting height. The width and height of Cross-Bar Attachments are adjustable.
  • Stay clear of the vehicle body while operating the Jacks during lifting of the vehicle body.
  • Measure and cut the piece of 4 x 4 wood into two pieces, so they fit on top of the Cross-Bar Attachments, without touching the frame, or any hardware or components still attached to the frame.
  • Label the 4 x 4 pieces "Front" and "Back," as they will likely require slightly different lengths, and will likely be used again.
  • These 4 x 4 wood lengths will be placed securely on top of the Cross-Bar Attachments on the floor jacks to achieve the height needed to insert the ACL Top Rails.
  • The combination of a Cross-Bar Attachment and a length of 4 x 4 is an easy and cost effective method to add the approximate 8" in height needed to install the ACL Top Rails.
  • With the 4 x 4's positioned on the Cross-Bar Attachments, slowly raise the vehicle body to a height that allows approximately 5" of space between the vehicle frame and body.
  • Place the Top Rails on a flat area of the vehicle frame, with the handles facing up, centered, and close to where the Floor Jack/Cross Bar Attachment/4 x 4 combination is holding the vehicle body.
  • Be sure the Top Rails are inserted properly, so that the pre-drilled holes in the ends of the Top Rails are pointing downward diagonally, towards the outside of the vehicle frame.
  • Once the Top Rails are placed securely on the frame, slowly lower the vehicle body so that it rests on the Top Rails, with the Top Rails centered under the body, width-wise.
  • Lower the floor jacks in the front and rear of the vehicle.

Attach the Top Rails to the ACL Side Rail Assemblies

  • Position the Floor Jack/Cross Bar Attachment/4 x 4's securely under the bottom of the Top Rails, in both the front and the rear of the vehicle.
  • Be sure to center the Floor Jack/Cross Bar Attachment/4 x 4's securely. Slowly raise the vehicle body to a height just above the Saddle Bracket beds on the ACL Side Rails, so the ACL Top Rails can be easily fastened.
  • Maintain a level height between the front and rear of the vehicle during the lifting operation.
  • Once the vehicle body is high enough, roll the Side Rail Assemblies toward the Top Rails, and position them so that the holes in the ends of the Top Rails line up with the holes in the Saddle Brackets on top of the Side Rail Assemblies.
    • * If the floor surface you are operating on is not completely level, you may have to raise the vehicle body slightly higher, as the front and rear heights may self adjust slightly during the lifting operation.
  • Secure the Top Rails to the Side Rail Assemblies using the 9/16" bolts, nuts and washers provided. Do not overtighten.
  • Lower the floor jacks in the front and rear of the vehicle, maintaining a level height between the front and rear of the vehicle. Move the floor jacks out of the way.
  • Secure the Vehicle Body to the All Car Lift by attaching heavy duty locking nylon straps to the loops cut into the Base Plates, in the front and rear of the vehicle.
    • * Straps are not included with the ACL.
  • Always lock the casters on the ACL Base Units when the ACL is stationery.

Installing the Vehicle Body onto the Frame Using the All Car Lift (ACL)

The All Car Lift is designed to lift and work on vehicle bodies.  It is not designed for lifting complete vehicles. The All Car Lift is designed for use on level, hard surfaces.

* These operating instructions assume the vehicle body is already on the All Car Lift before installing the vehicle body onto the vehicle frame.

Recommended Tools:

  • 2 Wrenches - 9/16” (not included).
  • 2 Floor Jacks (not included).
    • The Floor Jacks must be capable of lifting to an approximate height of 22".
    • The Floor Jacks are used for raising and lowering the vehicle body, one for use in the front and one for use in the rear. This helps ensure a level height between the front and rear of the vehicle during raising and lowering operations.
  • 2 Cross-Bar Attachments for the Floor Jacks (not included).
    • For use with each Floor Jack.
    • Cross-Bar Attachments add stability by widening the points of contact for lifting, and will add 6 " to 8" of lifting height.
  • 4 ACL Base Unit Jack Levers (included with the ACL system).
  • One 4" x 4" piece of wood (not included). The size of wood may vary depending on the vehicle frame's dimensions, and any parts or components attached to the frame.
    • Measure and pre-cut the 4" x 4" piece of wood into 2 pieces.
    • Label the pieces "Front" and "Back".
  • 2 Heavy Duty Locking Nylon Straps (not included). These will be used to secure the vehicle body to the ACL during use.

Position the Vehicle Body over the Frame

  • * Before moving the vehicle body, secure the body to the ACL with safety straps, using the safety loops cut into the top of the ACL Base Unit "U" Brackets.
  • Roll the ACL, with the vehicle body secured to it, over the vehicle frame.
  • Position the vehicle body so that the mounting holes on both the vehicle's body and the frame are aligned.
    • * Use a piece of PVC pipe or other item to help line up the mounting holes, and adjust the position of the body as necessary to make attaching the body to the frame easier.
    • * When positioning the body, you will need to compensate for the slight front to back radial movement of the body.  As the floor jack's arm is lowered, the jack arm shortens as it recedes into the jack body.
  • When the body and frame are in the desired positions, lock the casters on all four of the ACL Base Units, and block the wheels to prevent any undesired movement.

Disconnect the ACL Top Rails from the ACL Side Rail Assemblies

  • Remove the safety straps securing the vehicle body to the ACL Top Rails.
  • Position the floor jacks lengthways under the frame, insuring they are inside of the frame's edges on both the left and right sides, in the front and back.
  • Position the Floor Jack/Cross-Bar Attachment/4 x 4 combinations securely under the ACL Top Rails, insuring they are as centered and balanced.
    • * The Cross-Bar Attachments add stability and additional lifting height, and the width and height of Cross-Bar Attachments are adjustable.
  • Remove all eight bolts from the ACL Top Rails, and place the bolts, nuts and washers safely out of the way.
  • The Top Rails will now be resting inside of the ACL Saddle Brackets.
  • Next, raise the ACL Top Rails with the Floor Jack/Cross-Bar Attachment/4 x 4's, so that the Top Rails are clear of, and no longer resting in the Saddle Brackets.
  • Unlock the brakes on all four ACL Base Unit casters, and carefully roll the ACL Side Rail Assemblies away from the vehicle body, on both sides, and move them safely out of the way.

Lower the Vehicle Body onto the Frame

  • Before lowering the body, check the alignment of the vehicle mounting holes again, and adjust the position of the frame if necessary.
  • Slide the frame to adjust the positioning, without moving the vehicle body, and re-secure the blocks against the wheels, to prevent any movement of the vehicle frame.
  • Lower the body onto the frame slowly and smoothly with the floor jacks, maintaining the front and back heights as level as possible.  Stay clear of the vehicle body while operating the jacks.

Remove the ACL Top Rails

  • Position the floor jacks lengthways under the frame, insuring they are inside of the frame's edges on both the left and right sides, in both the front and back of the vehicle.
  • Position the Floor Jack/Cross-Bar Attachment/4 x 4's securely under the vehicle body, next to the ACL Top Rails, allowing just enough space to prevent any interference.
  • Use the jacking points recommended by the vehicle manufacturer to safely lift the vehicle frame.  Do not attempt to lift the vehicle frame in areas without the necessary structural strength.
  • With the 4 x 4's positioned on the Cross-Bar Attachments, raise the vehicle body slowly, to a height slightly above the ACL Top Rails, making sure it is high enough to slide the ACL Top Rails out from the sides
  • of the vehicle, without hitting the handles on the top of the ACL Top Rails.
  • Remove the ACL Top Rails from the front and rear of the vehicle, and place them safely out of the way.
  • Lower the body onto the frame slowly and smoothly with the floor jacks, again maintaining the front and back heights as level as possible.
  • Remove the floor jacks and other items from under the vehicle.

Advantages of the All Car Lift (ACL) versus Alternative Jacks and Lifts

  • Ease of use - the All Car Lift sets up quickly so you can start working on your project quicker than most alternatives.
  • Simplicity - only 16 bolts are required to secure the Top Rails and the Side Rails. The bolts are all 9/16” so a minimal number of tools are required for set up.
  • The All Car Lift provides a level surface to support the vehicle body - important for ensuring that the fit and alignment of the vehicle’s body panels stay aligned.
  • Takes up less space while in use - the All Car Lift requires just a few inches from the outside edge of the vehicle's tires allowing you to use your All Car Lift in small garages and confined spaces.
  • The All Car Lift can be rolled directly over the vehicle frame during idle periods of time to optimize space requirements.
  • Flexibility - with the vehicle body secured to the All Car Lift, either the body or the frame can be rolled away to work on them while the other part remains in the original space.
  • Access - the design of the All Car Lift provides access to all of the vehicle body's surfaces without the obstructions characteristic of fixed lift frames and other lift designs.
  • Safety - loops are laser cut into each of the ACL Base Plates allowing you to secure the vehicle body to the Top Rails of the All Car Lift with nylon straps.
  • Smooth rolling - the ball-bearing wheel casters used on every All Car Lift are capable of carrying more than the weight of any stock vehicle body and more than most custom vehicle bodies.
  • Easy turning - the casters used on every All Car Lift are capable of turning 360 degrees, allowing maximum flexibility and ease of movement while carrying the weight of the vehicle body.
  • Smooth lowering and rapid height adjustments - the All Car Lift has superior dampening characteristics, ensuring the jacks won't bottom out unintentionally while lowering the All Car Lift.
  • Locking casters on all four corners provide assurance that the All Car Lift will not move unintentionally while working on the vehicle body.
  • Non-slip surfaces on the Side Rails provide secure footholds, allowing you to stand on them with confidence while working on otherwise hard to reach surfaces.
  • The Side Rails are strong enough for two adults to stand on them at the same time.
  • Hard rubber pads are riveted to the Top Rails to protect the vehicle body from scratches while moving an All Car Lift with a vehicle body strapped onto it.
  • Handles are riveted to the outside corners of each Top Rail to provide a secure grip while moving an All Car Lift with a vehicle body strapped onto it.
  • Every All Car Lift is powder-coated for superior durability and appearance.
  • Portability - the All Car Lift can be quickly and easily assembled and taken apart.
  • Storage requirements are minimal - the All Car Lift takes up only a small corner of a garage when not in use.