2post lift with low vehicles??

[Cryptic1911]

Hey guys, I'm looking to get a lift once my garage is completed.. only problem is that if I get a 2 post lift, I think I'm going to have issues getting my cars on them because of their ride height. Does anyone here have a 2 post and a low car? I'm looking for ideas for ramps or something so that I can drive onto them, and then raise the lift up.

I would do a 4 post and use bottle jacks on a tray, but I dont want half my garage to be taken up with the lift when its not in use


any ideas?

 

[jmack]

What is wrong with your car that you can't drive it onto a lift?

 

[Iroc-Z]

What is wrong with your car that you can't drive it onto a lift?

You need a long ramp in order to get a car on a drive on hoist.

 

[Iroc-Z]

Hey guys, I'm looking to get a lift once my garage is completed.. only problem is that if I get a 2 post lift, I think I'm going to have issues getting my cars on them because of their ride height. Does anyone here have a 2 post and a low car? I'm looking for ideas for ramps or something so that I can drive onto them, and then raise the lift up.

I would do a 4 post and use bottle jacks on a tray, but I dont want half my garage to be taken up with the lift when its not in use


any ideas?

For low vehicles on a two post I use a 4 2X8 piece of wood that is cut into about a foot length. Then drive on to them. Other wise I use a jack on the rear of the car to give it enough room.

 

[Cryptic1911]

For low vehicles on a two post I use a 4 2X8 piece of wood that is cut into about a foot length. Then drive on to them. Other wise I use a jack on the rear of the car to give it enough room.

lol, ya know.. I think I was overthinking it. that's an easy way to fix it. I generally have to drive onto a few blocks of wood with the front tire to get a jack under it as it is, but I didnt think about dropping a block in front of each tire to just raise the whole car evenly so it clears the arms

 

[gsport]

what kind of car??

 

[om-nc]

Does anyone here have a 2 post and a low car? I'm looking for ideas for ramps or something so that I can drive onto them, and then raise the lift up............
any ideas?

Don't know how low your car is but mine is 5" from the ground to the rockers and I am able to get my lift pads under it w/o any problem. Friends have cars that are lower and they drive onto 2/8 pads then move the lift arms.

Like the others have asked, what kind of car/manufacturer.

 

[Cryptic1911]

VW GTI and a Jetta, but they are fairly low, but on top of some 2x8's stacked I should be fine

here they are as they sit now, but both will probably be slightly lower at some point in the future

 

[rebrewer]

If you have three phase power, consider buying one of the Nussbaum lifts. Best I've seen, and they fit under the lower clearance Porsches.

Bob

 

[rlme36]

If you have three phase power, consider buying one of the Nussbaum lifts. Best I've seen, and they fit under the lower clearance Porsches.

Bob

I have a Nussbaum on my short list for just this reason, but you don't need 3phase power for their hydraulic lifts, just the screw type.

rob

 

[krooser]

My TR's are low and I've never had any problems. I even lift my buddies dropped customs without any issues.

 

[Matti]

2 post lifts are used extensively in shops including Porsche shops where some of the cars are as low as 3 1/2". I think the issue might be for the short wheel base cars where you need the posts to be far apart. Doing your research (which you are) is well advised so you get something that works for you.

 

[JD in DFW]

You can get a 2-post lift with 3-stage arms that will accommodate low profiles up to 3.5" Have put many of them in a few Porsche dealerships myself. If your lower than 3" then you will have to make some adjustments with a wheel block as already stated.

Rotary makes a good 3-stage arm as does Challenger. I would try to steer clear of the import stuff, it can be an ordeal getting parts and service on them.

If you go 4-post just get extended ramps and that should get you up on the runways again this will work for cars with up to only 3.5" of clearance.

JD

 

[Nutty 5.0]

I usually use a small 1.5 ton jack and lift up the front end while position the lift arms. I guess its a pain if you lift the car all the time, but I usually don't! This is with my two post. I see the arms Bend Pak is shipping their 2 post lifts are less square and more rectangular favoring a lower height.

 

[Notch1988]

You could try these too...

http://www.raceramps.com/trakjax.html

 

[krooser]

You can also simply lay a 2X8 on the floor to gain some more clearance.

 

[Cryptic1911]

You could try these too...

http://www.raceramps.com/trakjax.html

2x8's are definately a simple cheap way to do it, but damn those trakjaxs are pretty cool.. might splurge and get some of those since they look real spiffy.. would work great for getting a regular jack under these cars too

 

[gtiboy66]

I have an old Rotarty lift. I use 2x6 ramps with my cars. Sometimes 2 deep.

 

[elmmx5]

I have an older Rotary 2 post lift as well. I use set of 2x10 ramps a couple feet long for my low car. I used to have paint makes on the floor to take the guess work out of where to place them, but those only lasted a year or so before they wore off.