Need some help with purchasing a 4 Post Lift and clearance confirmations.............

[johnny-5]

Newbie here so be easy on me!

Ive been prolonging on purchasing one for about a year now as I would hate to purchase one and to find out that Im not even able to throw on another car on top. Also Im still undecided on what brand lift is good to go with. I know I should have jumped on here sooner but if it makes it better I was on here often admiring all your garages!

Ok so Im ready to move forward on purchasing a 4 post lift but Im not sure what brand is good to go with? Right now Im debating on a Direct Lift as its in the price range where I would like it to be. I was even debating on buying used but some are stating its best to purchase new? I would love to purchase Bendpak but pricing is a little to steep for me right now to fork out that much for a lift!

Next question is regarding clearance. My ceiling is about 118" (9ft + 10") and Im wanting to throw my 1995 M3 (54") on top and 2001 911 (54") on the bottom. I believe the height is lower and I just eye'd the inches and added a inch or two just to be safe. Better to estimate higher than lower I would think. 54+54= 108" If I remember reading somewhere someone stated to add about 6" on top of that so bringing the total height to about 114". If the calculations are correct I should be good right? I have about 4" to spare for raising and locking, unlocking, etc. Can someone confirm?

Thanks in advance.
J5

 

[buzz4041]

Johnny it is going to be real tight. Don't forget the runway thickness of 4.5" for the direct lift. so your (M3) at 54" + 4" space + 4.5" runway + 54"(911) + 4" space = 120.5" so as you can see it will be very tight as the 4" I provided is tight in it's own respect. I am not saying you can't do it but it will be tight. My ceiling is the about the same as yours so I raised mine where the lift is.
I have the Direct lift Pro Park and it has worked flawlessly for 3 years. I purchased a couple rolling scissor jacks with it for suspension work and it is great. I got my set up from Derek Weaver.

 

[johnny-5]

Johnny it is going to be real tight. Don't forget the runway thickness of 4.5" for the direct lift. so your (M3) at 54" + 4" space + 4.5" runway + 54"(911) + 4" space = 120.5" so as you can see it will be very tight as the 4" I provided is tight in it's own respect. I am not saying you can't do it but it will be tight. My ceiling is the about the same as yours so I raised mine where the lift is.
I have the Direct lift Pro Park and it has worked flawlessly for 3 years. I purchased a couple rolling scissor jacks with it for suspension work and it is great. I got my set up from Derek Weaver.

Thanks for the post and feed back on the lift. Thats comforting to know its working flawlessly. Ive just been told to becareful with the cheaper lifts. You wouldnt happen to know the locking points do you?

Anyways as for the clearance I know its going to be a tight fit so I think thats why I havent jumped into buying one yet. As for raising the roof it may be more of a hassle as Ill have to move the beams, etc.... I heard some people putting lifts in there 9ft garages.

As for the numbers 54" I added an extra inch or two to the numbers. The extra 6 inches is for the ramp height. 54+54+6= 114. The difference there should be enough for me to move the car up and down. Im just using it mainly for storage purposes. Im sure Ill still be able to work underneth the car as well. Hope this clarifies it a bit.

J5

 

[johnny-5]

Anyone else that can provide feedback about the Direct Lifts or other cheaper brands? What lifts are most of you all using? Any feed back to best to worst lifts would be greatly appriciated!

 

[Doug1]

I bought a direct lift pro-park 8s a couple of months back. It works great. If i had it to do all over again, I'd buy the taller one since at the top lock, the bottom of the runways is about 5"10". The lift will go a bit higher but it has to drop down to the top lock.

The good news is you can lock the vehicle at a bunch of different heights so get the one you can walk under. Even if a car isn't on it, you can have it out of the way overhead.

 

[1stChoiceGarage]

The direct lift is a great buy, You will not be disappointed!

 

[glntom]

Johnny it is going to be real tight. Don't forget the runway thickness of 4.5" for the direct lift. so your (M3) at 54" + 4" space + 4.5" runway + 54"(911) + 4" space = 120.5" so as you can see it will be very tight as the 4" I provided is tight in it's own respect. I am not saying you can't do it but it will be tight. My ceiling is the about the same as yours so I raised mine where the lift is.
I have the Direct lift Pro Park and it has worked flawlessly for 3 years. I purchased a couple rolling scissor jacks with it for suspension work and it is great. I got my set up from Derek Weaver.

I also have a Pro Park with rolling scissor jack from Derek Weaver. Works great. Good buying experience.

 

[mad57]

I have 3, 4 posts your question gets asked here all the time, im suprised a search didnt show you more info... 1 is a byb love the lift it was my first buy built like a tank bought it used for $2200, second is a bend pak also a quality lift built strong, 3rd is a pro park 8 now after working under the others this one personally scares me, once again my opinion only!! but it just seems way to loose and moves alot with a car on it, i probley would have never know that hadnt i had the others first, but know that i know its strictly just a parking lift for me. AGAIN just my 2 cents there seems to be alot of happy owners here. Its your job to travel anywhere there are these lifts in working situations and see first hand, dont rush into based on new price there are alot of good used high quailty lifts out there. Theres enough members here im sure that are in your area would love to show you there lift. good luck.

 

[ptschram]

I use a direct lift pro-park 8 everyday.

Yeah, it's kinda loose sometimes but it hasn't fallen on me yet!

It'll be five years in May I've been using it daily.

 

[danieldolin]

Newbie here so be easy on me!

Ive been prolonging on purchasing one for about a year now as I would hate to purchase one and to find out that Im not even able to throw on another car on top. Also Im still undecided on what brand lift is good to go with. I know I should have jumped on here sooner but if it makes it better I was on here often admiring all your garages!

Ok so Im ready to move forward on purchasing a 4 post lift but Im not sure what brand is good to go with? Right now Im debating on a Direct Lift as its in the price range where I would like it to be. I was even debating on buying used but some are stating its best to purchase new? I would love to purchase Bendpak but pricing is a little to steep for me right now to fork out that much for a lift!

Next question is regarding clearance. My ceiling is about 118" (9ft + 10") and Im wanting to throw my 1995 M3 (54") on top and 2001 911 (54") on the bottom. I believe the height is lower and I just eye'd the inches and added a inch or two just to be safe. Better to estimate higher than lower I would think. 54+54= 108" If I remember reading somewhere someone stated to add about 6" on top of that so bringing the total height to about 114". If the calculations are correct I should be good right? I have about 4" to spare for raising and locking, unlocking, etc. Can someone confirm?

Thanks in advance.
J5

I am in a very similary situation to this as I have about 120-122" height and want to put my Boxster up (51") for storage. I am going to go with the bendpak just becuase they offer the narrow model and width is also a concern for me to keep the center of the two car garage as clear as possible for lawn mower / snow blower etc...

Anyway, the height of the two cars added together plus the thickness of the ramp is not as important as where the locking positions are and how adjustable it is... For the bendpak HD9-ST, I can have the 2nd lock position at 67" off the grount = 118" with the car on top giving my a good 2-4" to the ceiling for raising off the locks. The under measurement will be 62" for my car below (currently a honda civic 57" tall)

My concern in deciding which lift is which car is going to be around longer... answer = Porsche... so which lift can I get that will put the Porsche up high for storage and maximize the space under so when shopping for a daily driver replacement I do not have to be so concerned about height. The bendpak turned out to be the winner. 62" of under clearance on the lock position is enough room to fit pretty much any 4-door sedan under.

I will be purchasing and installing this summer.

 

[Goobzilla]

Loved my Direct Lift pro park. The only reason I got rid of it was I moved out of state. They make great lifts.