4 post lift to service wheels?

[dscheyen]

Good day all
This is my first of many to come posts, I am just getting started in the hobby of restoring cars, I have been fixing cars for years but I am now building a 30 x70 shop and I want to install a lift. I am considering a 4 post lift as I am not sure my concrete is thick enough for a 2 post. I want to be able to service axles and I am lookin at a lift from Atlas, is this recommended practise on a 4 post lift? I am hoping there is some kind of kit to allow me access to the wheels while on the 4 post lift. Any ideas/thoughts? I know nothing about lifts, I have been trying to find info on the net but it is hard to find what I am looking for.

Thanks for reading my post
David

 

[e-tek]

David, while I rarely say this, you need to start with the search function! Reason is, there's TONS of good info here on lifts and their many uses and accessories already written.

Start here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61498


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44539

Restoration: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=161520&highlight=lift

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=129785&highlight=lift

 

[torquepower85]

to service wheels, you will be short handing yourself with a 4-post lift.

Theres a couple of workarounds, you can get a 4-post lift bridge jack

also theres an alignment kit you can get too

not a lot of lifts come standard with these - other than those or a cheap solution: bottle jack platform for lift. you wont be able to get the wheels off the runway.

 

[APEowner]

When I was a tech (back in the day) I had a two stall bay with a four post lift in one and a two post in the other. While I used them both I preferred the four post with the bridge jack for most service type work including front end work and brakes. The setup was quicker and easier on my back and the deck gives you a convenient place to lay parts and tools. I prefer the two post for most front wheel drive driveline stuff and while you can pull engines on a four post it's a lot easier on a two. Cab pulls and any engine removal from the bottom almost requires a two post.

 

[LXCam]

I have a 4 post, absolutely love the thing for the kind of work I do which is mostly fabrication. I'm also not a fan of leaving a ride suspended for extended amounts of time on a 2 post for several reason. The pneumatic bridge jack is the key to success for sure on a 4 poster.

 

[e-tek]

When I was a tech (back in the day) I had a two stall bay with a four post lift in one and a two post in the other. While I used them both I preferred the four post with the bridge jack for most service type work including front end work and brakes. The setup was quicker and easier on my back and the deck gives you a convenient place to lay parts and tools. I prefer the two post for most front wheel drive driveline stuff and while you can pull engines on a four post it's a lot easier on a two. Cab pulls and any engine removal from the bottom almost requires a four post.

Your experience with both lift styles could go a LONG way in many of the 2 vs 4 post disputes we've had here!!!

 

[torquepower85]

Your experience with both lift styles could go a LONG way in many of the 2 vs 4 post disputes we've had here!!!

that is for sure hehehe

 

[APEowner]

Originally Posted by e-tek View Post
Your experience with both lift styles could go a LONG way in many of the 2 vs 4 post disputes we've had here!!!

that is for sure hehehe

Oh, I don't know about that. We've never let the presence of facts or opinions of the experienced influence our disputes before. In this case, my having typed four when I meant two in the last sentence of my original post (an error I've since corrected) could cause the debate to rage for several pages before it deteriorates into a flame war about the quality of education in the US resulting in a thread lock and the banning of several members.

 

[LXCam]

Oh, I don't know about that. We've never let the presence of facts or opinions of the experienced influence our disputes before. In this case, my having typed four when I meant two in the last sentence of my original post (an error I've since corrected) could cause the debate to rage for several pages before it deteriorates into a flame war about the quality of education in the US resulting in a thread lock and the banning of several members.

I for one was completely baffled by your original 4 post comment as myself being one of extensive experience of lifting bodies off a subframe assemblies on a 4 post has always resulted in a moment of extreme awkwardness with those around to witness my best impression of a three ring circus.

I just assumed you were a better jungler then myself

Lmao on your comment btw

 

[Jbullfrog]

If you have the space, a drive on is the way to go. You don't have to worry about lift points and wondering what is in the vehicle for weight distribution. I have a Rotary drive on and 2 trolley jacks, which make it great for tires and brake work. The rest of the time, I have two 21' adjustable height steel work benches with air connections in the middle.

 

[dcummer]

Hi David,

I'm going to cast my vote for the two post lift. I've used both two and four post lifts, and chose a two post for my home garage two years ago. Yeah - a little pita to place the lift arms, but honestly not more than a couple of minutes. Big difference when you lift the car - the two post gives such great virtually unrestricted access. Just had a friends Hyundai on the lift for a couple of weeks with no wheels/rotors/drums on it. Also the lift arms for the two post aren't that obtrusive in the garage when nothing is on the lift - ramps would be much more in-the-way to me.

Biggest downside to my two post - the posts significantly restrict opening the car doors.

Please no flames! I'm not telling anyone what would be best for them - it is your money so buy what you want. But I am saying I'm very happy with my two post. Incidentally, my ceiling height was 2" too low for any of the standard two posts, so I bought a Mohawk (Mohawk is hydraulic-only between the lift posts, so trivial to lower the height by 2"). Yes it is an expensive lift, but wow is it nice. No regrets here.

Good luck - I'm sure you will be thrilled with whatever you get!

 

[roaddog359]

I love my 4 post with 2 rolling jacks. you can do things I want to with it. And at my place of work, they work on cars and have a 2 post and 2- 4 post lifts the 4 post lifts are used most of the time. You cant beat bend pak when it comes to safety and value. They make a very nice lift.

 

[KSB]

I like the 4 post lift if you have 2 rolling bridge jacks, if you are only servicing a light vehicle then a 2 post is likely better value and more versatile. For large trucks 4 post is only way to go IMHO.