Picking a lift for limited ceiling

[DucFanDan]

Hello all,

I've been lurking around here for a while as I shop for a lift. I'm outfitting a new garage. Concrete is all good... have over 6" of 3000+ psi rebar-reinforced concrete, and it's been in place for a year.

I already know what category I want for a lift. Going for a 9k+ 2-post. I need to lift everything from a 2400 lb old VW GTI to a 2011 Silverado 2500HD Duramax that tips the scales at 7500 lbs. I'm in the aerospace industry, and I like safety margins, so I would never put that Silverado on a lift only rated for 7k.

Given my needs/wants/etc, little lifts like the MaxJax are a non-starter. I have more overhead clearance than that, and it's not beefy enough for my truck.

The issue I'm running into is that my overhead clearance is not quite enough for the average 12' lift. Garage is 24' wide, with a ceiling that slopes from one side to the other. I have about 14' on one side, but only 8-9' on the other. When I lay out the footprint for a 2-post Bendpak XPR-9/XPR-9D, one of the posts only has 134" of ceiling clearance (11'-2"). Most certified 9k lifts are 12' (143"-145").

So I'm looking at the following options:

Dannmar Admiral 9000X (113", ALI-certified)
Bendpak XPR-9 (113", non-ALI-certified)
Forward Lift BP9 (111.25", ALI-certified)
Rotary/Revolution RTP9 (111.25", ALI certified)

I really like all the engineering info on Bendpak's website. I like their design, and the 2-post comparo pretty much sold me... but the XPR-9 is not ALI/ETL certified. Now I'm reading that code across the country specifies that an installed lift must be ALI/ETL certified. For the immediate future, this lift will be for personal use only... but the next time the aerospace industry shifts, if I were to lose my job, I am considering setting my shop space up to where I could start working for myself as a mechanic/restorer/car builder. Obviously, I wouldn't want to have to swap out the lift just to start a business. With this in mind, I'm hesitant to pull the trigger on the XPR-9.

Throwing a complicating wrench in the works... I could potentially knock a hole in the sheetrock ceiling and box in a space for the top of the lift. Then I might be able to squeeze in an XPR-9D, which is certified. I have 16" between the sheetrock and the outer sheathing under the roof, and I'd need about 11" to stuff the XPR-9D into there... so I have a margin of error of 5". I'm just not 100% sure on the measurements, not sure 5" is enough margin, and I don't want to go cutting into the ceiling unless I'm committed to going that route.

I guess I'm particularly interested in opinions on the 4 options I linked above, as then I avoid the construction project and risk associated with modifying the ceiling. At the same time... what I really want is a certified BendPak. What say you? Am I thinking too highly of BP's hardware? Should I just get the Dannmar or Revolution or Forward and enjoy working on my cars with a real lift? I'm thinking any of the above lifts would be better than rolling around on the ground like I do today...

Thanks in advance!

 

[Bob C]

Hello all,

I've been lurking around here for a while as I shop for a lift. I'm outfitting a new garage. Concrete is all good... have over 6" of 3000+ psi rebar-reinforced concrete, and it's been in place for a year.

I already know what category I want for a lift. Going for a 9k+ 2-post. I need to lift everything from a 2400 lb old VW GTI to a 2011 Silverado 2500HD Duramax that tips the scales at 7500 lbs. I'm in the aerospace industry, and I like safety margins, so I would never put that Silverado on a lift only rated for 7k.

Given my needs/wants/etc, little lifts like the MaxJax are a non-starter. I have more overhead clearance than that, and it's not beefy enough for my truck.

The issue I'm running into is that my overhead clearance is not quite enough for the average 12' lift. Garage is 24' wide, with a ceiling that slopes from one side to the other. I have about 14' on one side, but only 8-9' on the other. When I lay out the footprint for a 2-post Bendpak XPR-9/XPR-9D, one of the posts only has 134" of ceiling clearance (11'-2"). Most certified 9k lifts are 12' (143"-145").

So I'm looking at the following options:

Dannmar Admiral 9000X (113", ALI-certified)
Bendpak XPR-9 (113", non-ALI-certified)
Forward Lift BP9 (111.25", ALI-certified)
Rotary/Revolution RTP9 (111.25", ALI certified)

I really like all the engineering info on Bendpak's website. I like their design, and the 2-post comparo pretty much sold me... but the XPR-9 is not ALI/ETL certified. Now I'm reading that code across the country specifies that an installed lift must be ALI/ETL certified. For the immediate future, this lift will be for personal use only... but the next time the aerospace industry shifts, if I were to lose my job, I am considering setting my shop space up to where I could start working for myself as a mechanic/restorer/car builder. Obviously, I wouldn't want to have to swap out the lift just to start a business. With this in mind, I'm hesitant to pull the trigger on the XPR-9.

Throwing a complicating wrench in the works... I could potentially knock a hole in the sheetrock ceiling and box in a space for the top of the lift. Then I might be able to squeeze in an XPR-9D, which is certified. I have 16" between the sheetrock and the outer sheathing under the roof, and I'd need about 11" to stuff the XPR-9D into there... so I have a margin of error of 5". I'm just not 100% sure on the measurements, not sure 5" is enough margin, and I don't want to go cutting into the ceiling unless I'm committed to going that route.

I guess I'm particularly interested in opinions on the 4 options I linked above, as then I avoid the construction project and risk associated with modifying the ceiling. At the same time... what I really want is a certified BendPak. What say you? Am I thinking too highly of BP's hardware? Should I just get the Dannmar or Revolution or Forward and enjoy working on my cars with a real lift? I'm thinking any of the above lifts would be better than rolling around on the ground like I do today...

Thanks in advance!

I have installed the RTP9. It is a good heavy lift. The dodge garage beats the heck out of it with them big assed trucks.

The rotary SPOA10 11'8-1/2" with cylinder full height of 11'10-3/4"
I see you didn't mention the rotary much. IMO, it is the very best you could invest in. you can cut this lift down 4 more inches too with minimal effort. This procedure is authorized by Rotary. The lift is very simple to install.

 

[e-tek]

I find it very hard to believe any bp lift is not certified - can u tell us whereupon saw that? I was just talking to Jeff (CEO) who said they are just now I'm the midst of their 5 year recent on every lift as they base their business model on it. Thanks.

Oh I see - these r the home garage "hobby" lifts. I guess if u choose one of these you're ok with the limited usefulness of a home hobby lift. If you are thinking of doing more, especially doing mechanical or resto work, u wouldn't use a lift like this anyways. Sorry for my confusion!

 

[DucFanDan]

I find it very hard to believe any bp lift is not certified - can u tell us whereupon saw that? I was just talking to Jeff (CEO) who said they are just now I'm the midst of their 5 year recent on every lift as they base their business model on it. Thanks.

Oh I see - these r the home garage "hobby" lifts. I guess if u choose one of these you're ok with the limited usefulness of a home hobby lift. If you are thinking of doing more, especially doing mechanical or resto work, u wouldn't use a lift like this anyways. Sorry for my confusion!

I looked it up on the ALI/ETL website, which is the authority on which lifts are and are not certified. I also called and talked to Jeff @ BendPak to confirm.

According to BendPak's website, the XPR-9 is not necessarily a "hobby" lift. I'd love a certified shop-grade lift, but again, ceiling clearance is an issue. I don't think the XPR-9 has "limited usefulness" compared to the XPR-9D, either... the XPR-9 actually has a 3" higher lift range than the 9D, and it has identical lift arms. It's just a chainover lift instead of direct drive, and it's not ALI certified.

I have installed the RTP9. It is a good heavy lift. The dodge garage beats the heck out of it with them big assed trucks.

The rotary SPOA10 11'8-1/2" with cylinder full height of 11'10-3/4"
I see you didn't mention the rotary much. IMO, it is the very best you could invest in. you can cut this lift down 4 more inches too with minimal effort. This procedure is authorized by Rotary. The lift is very simple to install.

Thanks for that info... I will have to call Rotary on Monday to ask about this 4" trim. I know I could make a hole in the ceiling to clear 11'4" and have plenty of space to box it back in. If I could get a certified Rotary 10k lift in the same price range I'm already looking at (~$2500-$3500), that'd be awesome. And I'd never have any doubts about standing under my Silverado on an SPOA10. That's a nice lift.

 

[DucFanDan]

Well, I can't believe I missed this in my earlier research... the Challenger CL10V3 is 11'8"... which means I'd only have to notch out and box in about 6" into the ceiling. With 16" tall joists, that gives me a more margin for error, and I should be able to put some insulation back in above the boxed-in notch.

Also found out the CL10V3 is US-made, and it's ALI/ETL certified. I think the local Costco uses Challenger lifts in their tire center, which gives confidence that we're dealing with a pro-grade lift.

It's a grand more than the BendPaks I am looking at, but it's still under $4000, which I think I can afford. Might have to wait another couple months to save the extra scratch, since I've been on a spending spree lately, but I could still do it before the end of the year.

 

[Bob C]

Well, I can't believe I missed this in my earlier research... the Challenger CL10V3 is 11'8"... which means I'd only have to notch out and box in about 6" into the ceiling. With 16" tall joists, that gives me a more margin for error, and I should be able to put some insulation back in above the boxed-in notch.

Also found out the CL10V3 is US-made, and it's ALI/ETL certified. I think the local Costco uses Challenger lifts in their tire center, which gives confidence that we're dealing with a pro-grade lift.

It's a grand more than the BendPaks I am looking at, but it's still under $4000, which I think I can afford. Might have to wait another couple months to save the extra scratch, since I've been on a spending spree lately, but I could still do it before the end of the year.

Nothing wrong with that lift. I have one in a highschool for teaching young auto tech students.

 

[brownbagg]

I got the bendpak xpr9, well mine the xlt9 but same lift. yes the height is low but you still need 12 feet to keep cab from hitting roof and that on a toyota pu

 

[gnxtc2]

I have the BendPak XPR-10. Do yourself a favor and get the 10K over the 9K lift. My friend has the Challenger Versymetrical lifts at his shop and I don't care for them. I test lifted my 1997 F250 Powerstroke SuperCab long bed truck and the lift didn't strain.

When I ordered my lift, I forgot to order the frame cradle adapter pads for trucks. I ordered them on Thursday and waiting for them to arrive so I can properly lift the truck.

I also had to notch the ceiling for clearance.

Billy T.
[email protected]

 

[fredybender]

I got 10'6" ceiling with scissor trusses (municipal bylaw max height bull***)
I ordered my modified 9000lbs cap. directly from my local dealer (yes its an offshore import, but they can modify them) they shortened the posts, and the cables accordignly, and only charged me an extra 300$
Very happy about the result!

The reason I preffered this type, is that there are nor floor obstacles, and with the height of my cars, that would have been problematic.

 

[DucFanDan]

@brownbag: Due to the slope of the ceiling, the edge of the car or truck roof when centered on the lift would have more than 12' from floor to ceiling. It's just directly over one post that I only have 11' and change.

@fredy: Wow... those are the best looking MkI 'roccos I've ever seen. Very, very nice. I'm restoring a Mk2 GTI, and some of the work is on hold pending purchase and install of a lift.

As far as getting the lift shortened, with the slope of the ceiling I think it would be better in my case to notch the ceiling. If the lift is more like 12' exactly (like the BendPak), then I'd probably need to have it shortened.

@Billy: Thanks for the info. I'm strongly leaning toward notching the roof and doing a 10k lift with an overhead bar and a clear floor. Not sure I can do the Bendpak without shortening it, though... it's listed at 145" (12' 1"), whereas the Challenger is listed at 140" (11' 8"). That additional 5" makes a big difference... I can notch the ceiling, box it in, and fit the Challenger pretty easily, but I think the BP is too close to the outer sheathing for the roof. I'd have to leave the hole open due to insulation and ventilation issues (the whole ceiling is sheetrocked and insulated).

The lift is going between the tall garage door and the rollup bay door... the post with the low ceiling clearance will go roughly where the ladder is standing (no worries: it's clear of light fixtures):

Here's the other side of the garage:

And the view, just for grins... that's Mt. Adams, in the southern Washington Cascade range:

 

[slodat]

What lift did you go with?

 

[DucFanDan]

What lift did you go with?

Apologies for the delay. I was been waylayed on this project by some health issues, then the money I had set aside got used for other family priorities. Finally getting back to the lift, now that the medical misadventures of the last 5 years seem to be behind us and a decent bonus came in this spring.

I don't have the lift in yet, but have settled on the Challenger CL10V3. ALI/ETL certified, and the CL10 series is made in the US. Costs a little more, but from what I'm reading this should be a no-regrets purchase. Contacted the distributor, got the quote for purchase and installation. Now I need to schedule it... which is no small feat, with being swamped at work plus a lot of home/family projects going on. This one has money earmarked, but it's not top of the implementation priority list. Springtime is busy when you have 600 acres to look after on top of a full-time job.

I'll be sharing pics sometime after it's all up and running.

 

[phred]

Look at Mohawk. They have cables. All hydraulic. My Mohawk A7 has the hydraulic lines in the slab. The columns are just over 8' tall. I can lift my trucks to the last locks on the lift with nothing in the way if necessary. Here it is about 1/2 way up for an oil change. ww


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[matt_i]

I'm looking at a Dannmar D9X for the low height of my ceiling and what I want to do with it. Similar construction with coordination cables in a floor track with a drive-over ramp thingy. I already have the 6" thick slab all over.

@fredybender, that Mk1 Jetta brings back a lot of memories, it was my first car, eventually got a GLi when the original recipe rusted out.

 

[Z2V]

The Dannmar is a good lift. I had this before the four post. Had new cables and hose extensions made to spread the post 20" to make it easier to lift my Vettes.

 

[easlers]

I WENT WITH THE CHALLENGER CL10V3 NICE LIFT AND ITS PRETTY
View media item 70306

 

[Z2V]

Heard you loud and clear.
Nice lift btw