Two post lift suggestions
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Be VERY careful drilling into the concrete. If you have a post tension slab, which most new homes do, and you cut a piece of rebar it will not be good. From what I remember on my house they are tensioned to 60,000 psi.
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OK, Just got the OK from wife to install a two post lift in my garage! :thumbup:
The question is which one should I get? I have a 4+ car garage with an extension at one end which will be the space for the lift as shown below. This space measured 14' wide and 9' tall. I thought 9' was a pretty tall finished ceiling but most two post lift I seen are taller than 9' and use 220V. I am looking for a 120V two post lift that are less than 9' tall. Any suggestions? I will clean up all my crap and move it into mooty's garage before install lol
The question is which one should I get? I have a 4+ car garage with an extension at one end which will be the space for the lift as shown below. This space measured 14' wide and 9' tall. I thought 9' was a pretty tall finished ceiling but most two post lift I seen are taller than 9' and use 220V. I am looking for a 120V two post lift that are less than 9' tall. Any suggestions? I will clean up all my crap and move it into mooty's garage before install lol
Personally, I like BendPak lifts. A lot of guys I know use them and I've never heard a complaint. You get a lot for the money and their customer service is pretty amazing for this day and age. BYB is also a respected brand on a lot of car forums, but for the price, I think you can do better. Also not a big fan of their marketing tactics, although they've cleaned up their act recently.
Here's some good info on buying a lift from BendPak (like I said, I like em). A lot of it has already been covered, but maybe it'll still help you out.
http://www.bendpak.com/blog/top-10-guide-to-car-lifts/
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4 post doesn't have to be anchored, but believe me you *WILL* want to anchor it.
Last edited by mousecatcher; Apr 29, 2010 at 08:52 PM.
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I think you are limited to MaxJax (lift height limited to 45") or Mohawk with in-floor channel for the crossover hydraulic lines. The Mohawk will go full height, but maybe you can't take advantage of that due to the car touching the ceiling. Also, I don't know if there is a 120V option for the Mohawk (there is for MaxJax).
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Thanks for all the recommendation guys. The more I think about the whole thing the more I am leaning toward 4 post lift for storage, service and safety reason. I hate to leave my car up in the air and having to worry if the post is going to yank the bolts off the concrete floor ...
I just went down this road. Dave Shedlock, Workshop Depot, 1-877-533-7524 (Workshopdepot.com) was great to work with.
2 post requires bolt in and must have *at least* 4" thick concrete to anchor to.
4 post doesn't have to be anchored, but believe me you *WILL* want to anchor it.
4 post for storage and work. 2 post for work.
Use a professional installer who will also handle delivery. Don't even think about trying to receive the shipment unless you also have a forklift in your garage.
Install is a 2-3 man job.
110v/120v is available for custom spec (I did it). The drawback vs 220v is lift is slower to raise due to less motor rpm's. I am fine with my speed.
Some lifts need a compressed gas source to activate the safety catch releases. I use a quick disconnect fitting and my nitrogen bottle.
PS- I bought a WalMart scissor jack for $29. Can use jack stands either on the ramps themselves of if you buy the sliding jack tray option.
Excellent feedback Pete. BendPak look very well made and I will give your guy a call next week. I read you on bolting down the 4 post lift but it's useful to have the option to move it if needed. Don't know if BendPak have the optional roller wheel for each post. How high is your ceiling? Have you try to park another car under the lift. The 4 post lift in your picture come with a blue RS right? 
I just went down this road. Dave Shedlock, Workshop Depot, 1-877-533-7524 (Workshopdepot.com) was great to work with.2 post requires bolt in and must have *at least* 4" thick concrete to anchor to.
4 post doesn't have to be anchored, but believe me you *WILL* want to anchor it.
4 post for storage and work. 2 post for work.
Use a professional installer who will also handle delivery. Don't even think about trying to receive the shipment unless you also have a forklift in your garage.
Install is a 2-3 man job.
110v/120v is available for custom spec (I did it). The drawback vs 220v is lift is slower to raise due to less motor rpm's. I am fine with my speed.
Some lifts need a compressed gas source to activate the safety catch releases. I use a quick disconnect fitting and my nitrogen bottle.
PS- I bought a WalMart scissor jack for $29. Can use jack stands either on the ramps themselves of if you buy the sliding jack tray option.
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Thanks for all the recommendation guys. The more I think about the whole thing the more I am leaning toward 4 post lift for storage, service and safety reason. I hate to leave my car up in the air and having to worry if the post is going to yank the bolts off the concrete floor ...
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Thanks for all the recommendation guys. The more I think about the whole thing the more I am leaning toward 4 post lift for storage, service and safety reason. I hate to leave my car up in the air and having to worry if the post is going to yank the bolts off the concrete floor ...
For storage, the 4 post is a slam dunk but for service I wish I had a 2 post (even with the crossbeam jacks it's not ideal; the ramps are frequently in the way). I don't have the clearance for a 2 post though.
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I show her the picture of a Hunter roadforce tire balance machine and she threw her shoe at me
That's pretty much not gonna happen, so don't base your decision on that.
For storage, the 4 post is a slam dunk but for service I wish I had a 2 post (even with the crossbeam jacks it's not ideal; the ramps are frequently in the way). I don't have the clearance for a 2 post though.
For storage, the 4 post is a slam dunk but for service I wish I had a 2 post (even with the crossbeam jacks it's not ideal; the ramps are frequently in the way). I don't have the clearance for a 2 post though.
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PM sent but I thought i would bump this so that anyone else considering a lift may benefit from my question which was basically, did you ever get the lift and which one did you go with and at about 8.5 to 9 foot clearance, how much space is left for another car after you put your GT3 up on the lift? Thanks
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I think I have room for the four post - but its the ceiling height that I am unsure about. I have about 9 foot ceilings and want to put a GT3 on top and something of similar size below. If your ceilings are about that height, can you post a pic of your cars stacked? thanks!
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I think I have room for the four post - but its the ceiling height that I am unsure about. I have about 9 foot ceilings and want to put a GT3 on top and something of similar size below. If your ceilings are about that height, can you post a pic of your cars stacked? thanks!
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Looks like you've got about 18" or so space between the cars, so 9 ft would likely be tight. I need to check all the neighborhood garages for someone who has a four post already in. Thanks for the photos - great cars BTW
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I'll post pics later but, I've had an Eagle SS7000 4-Post in my garage for 5yrs now. My ceiling is only 9'10" tall and I have the RS above my wifes BMW Z3 with no issues at all.
I did have the track on the garage door changed to hug the ceiling, where they replaced the turn-radius with a 36" track.
As for doing any suspension work, I picked up a GregSmith 3500lb unit that fits perfectly between the ramps.......slides around real easy and works great. (The arms will extend out to under your jack-points.
The one nice thing about 4Post is, you can put a shield between the ramps to prevent any potential drips, whether that be from rain or your a/c drain hose from the car below.
I did have the track on the garage door changed to hug the ceiling, where they replaced the turn-radius with a 36" track.
As for doing any suspension work, I picked up a GregSmith 3500lb unit that fits perfectly between the ramps.......slides around real easy and works great. (The arms will extend out to under your jack-points.
The one nice thing about 4Post is, you can put a shield between the ramps to prevent any potential drips, whether that be from rain or your a/c drain hose from the car below.