Garage lift recommendations

[jbfrancis3]

Yeah, I meant they were easier because you just drive on. At least with my bendpack, to actually get it on to the 2 post I had to jack the car and lower it onto blocks, so the arms could get under. Getting the car on or off the lift was 10-15 min on each end of the project. With the 4 post I just drive on and lift. If I’m wheels off, it takes ~5 min to get the quick jacks under.

Can certainly see the frustration with that. OP was smart to think about and measure his minimum ground clearance.

Another 4 post advantage - the installation is easier without needing to consider slab thickness, drill and sink expanding anchors, and then shim everything to plumb.

[jbfrancis3]

Ha. Currently designing a garage and choosing the ceiling height. 10 or 12 feet? 🤔

12, for when you buy that SUV/SAV you may have swore you'd never buy....

[Obioban]

No advise to give.

Just clicked to mention that I hate all of you with the ceiling height to install a lift lol

Ha. Currently designing a garage and choosing the ceiling height. 10 or 12 feet? 🤔

[TexaZ3]

Taking the e36 for a spin is no brief task

Haha, yeah, usually the convertible sits there in the winter.

[R1pilot]

No advise to give.

Just clicked to mention that I hate all of you with the ceiling height to install a lift lol

[TexaZ3]

this chick has a cool setup with the wheels.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPEODrFsADQ

Yeah, casters come with every lift.

[SpaceJockey]

I have the wheels. I use them to move the lift to the other side of the garage when I clean the floors. I don't know if I would be comfortable wheeling around a car on those. I don't think that is their intended use. Maybe I am wrong.

[Maxima SE]

this chick has a cool setup with the wheels.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPEODrFsADQ

[Onefastsicilian]

I plan on doing exactly with Obioban did! just ordered my quickjacks and had my garage door raised with new side mount motors.. Floors and paint are next, then the lift will be ordered.

[Obioban]

Yeah, I meant they were easier because you just drive on. At least with my bendpack, to actually get it on to the 2 post I had to jack the car and lower it onto blocks, so the arms could get under. Getting the car on or off the lift was 10-15 min on each end of the project. With the 4 post I just drive on and lift. If I’m wheels off, it takes ~5 min to get the quick jacks under.

[jbfrancis3]

Other than that, 4 post is easier for maintenance. Fluid changes are way easier, cooling system stuff is easier, and most suspension stuff needs preload-- so also easier.

I agree that just driving onto the lift is easier when you begin the work. Beyond that there's no difference for fluids or cooling. Preload is consideration but don't forget if you plan to do any suspension work that necessitates removal/replacement, you're going to need to an auxiliary lift on the 4 post. That's why I like the 2 post and the final tightening (but a sliver of the job) or preload is handled by setting the vehicle down on some blocking.

The OP should consider how often he's removing wheels, too.

[BoomTastic]

Maxjax has great clearance for slammed mambo jambo. Hasn't been a car i couldn't lift at home...

[SpaceJockey]

did you install it yourself?

Yes. Simple and straight forward so long as you have the muscle to move the pieces around.

[Rhythim]

I have a generic 9000lb 2 post I bought from DMS Equipment in Missouri. It was about $2900 installed. For my purposes, a 4 post wasn't the right option because I wanted unfettered access underneath. My shop is also 1800 square feet, so the stackable storage wasn't a particular need.

I could've opted to spend nearly twice as much on a Bendpak/Atlas/Mohawk but let's be honest here, I'm a hobbyist, not a day-in, day-out shop tech. I had my diesel F250 up on it 30 minutes after it was installed and it had zero issues. I've had to adjust the cables a time or two, but that's a given with any lift. Have been very happy with it.

Sent from my SM-G988U using Tapatalk

[Rkymtnrider]

My wife or teenage son is going to park their œdriver car under my stored car. What are my options?

Good luck. You may want to consider buying an extra wide lift or positioning your lift "crosswise" in the front of your garage...(or building a new larger garage).