Decided NOT to install a lift

[Falcon67]

I hear the OP, the "good" thing is that if you change your mind and decide to play with cars, etc again you have options. The 4 post lifts can be moved out of the way, some even with a car loaded low (depending on the casters) and a larger 2 post would still allow parking a trailer in the bay with nothing on the lift. If I can get two 16' race cars, a 260" overall length dragster and a 2 post lift in a 24' x 28' space - with room to do work - I'm sure you can figure something out.

 

[Steves32]

I’m in my late 60’s now. I had pretty much stopped working on my hotrods because lets face it- being in your 60’s & crawling around on the floor *****. Built a new garage & put a 4 post lift & now my game is back. Transmission changes, brakes, suspension, no problems. I am doing wiring & fuel lines now & it’s nice to put the car at a level I want.

 

[ZAPPER68]

I’m in my late 60’s now. I had pretty much stopped working on my hotrods because lets face it- being in your 60’s & crawling around on the floor *****. Built a new garage & put a 4 post lift & now my game is back. Transmission changes, brakes, suspension, no problems. I am doing wiring & fuel lines now & it’s nice to put the car at a level I want.

Your lift looks familiar... I bet it's a Rotary which I too have and wouldn't be without. My lift is rarely empty and just last week I had my snow blower up on it for it's annual servicing. This getting old (+60) ***** big time and a lift provides me with the initiative to carry on with the car hobby I have enjoyed for nearly 5 decades.

 

[ryan77]

you still made the right decision with the 12' ceilings, if you ever sell the place some day it will sell faster to the guy who wants the garage that has the ability to house a lift, it may be the point that gets you your asking price, if you ask me you did good by building the garage so that it has the option. we looked at houses with 10'garages and I passed each one up cause I wanted a lift and have the ceiling height.

 

[Steves32]

Your lift looks familiar... I bet it's a Rotary which I too have and wouldn't be without. My lift is rarely empty and just last week I had my snow blower up on it for it's annual servicing. This getting old (+60) ***** big time and a lift provides me with the initiative to carry on with the car hobby I have enjoyed for nearly 5 decades.

It’s a Bendpak HD9. Best money I spent on the garage. That & the rolling jack for it.

 

[jackson1701]

Easy fix, install a lift as planned and now you did't waste any of your planned room/upgrades. either style, a four or two post will be a huge benefit even if it means you use the lift as a storage spot. You'll be glad you did. Trust all of us who have one, you'll never regret it even if just using it for basic maint.

 

[mmb617]

I've only had my lift for 5 years but I already can't imagine not having it. While it's true I don't work on cars nearly as much as I did, it's also true that I really don't want to be crawling around the floor these days (I'm 65). It's gotten so bad I complain about having to get down and set the arms! I think I'm spoiled.

It's also nice that having more cars than bays I can store my summer car up on the lift over the winter and get one more car out of the elements.

 

[Chevy-SS]

Getting a lift is just about the BEST thing that can happen to any garage!

 

[ForceFed70]

Thanks all. You've got me re-thinking that lift

I'll need to look into some of the larger ones that can better accommodate me using the space for parking trailers, etc.

 

[Falcon67]

Thanks all. You've got me re-thinking that lift

I'll need to look into some of the larger ones that can better accommodate me using the space for parking trailers, etc.

LOL, give it some time. Hey, there's 41 years between these pictures. Sometimes it takes a while to work things out.

 

[Steves32]

You’ll be hard pressed finding anyone regretting a lift purchase & wanting to go back to floor jacks, stands & creepers.

 

[kwb]

Not all shops are for working on cars.

High ceilings are good for fab work, bigger toys like RV's, Boats, etc.

A lift is a monument that is going to be in the way unless cars are your only thing.

A forklift on the other hand - that is indispensable for most anything.

 

[lakeroadster]

...

A lift is a monument that is going to be in the way unless cars are your only thing.

A forklift on the other hand - that is indispensable for most anything.

And that forklift... it'll be in the way too.

And that forklift has a mast.... it'll need a fair amount of ceiling height too.

 

[kwb]

Forklift is easy to move out of the way, start, drive, stop - lift not so much. The footprint of the forklift is less than a sheet of plywood.

Mast isn't much of a problem if you have 10' or more headroom. Under the loft (8') I can only get the forks to about 60"which is plenty to get anything on/off the benches. It helps to get a three stage mast but depends on your shop.

 

[JRC3]

...I'm limiting myself to basic maintenance work like brakes, plugs/tuneup, tire changes, etc.

Go for the middle ground and get a mid lift. I park over mine daily. Throw a piece of plywood on it and you have a great adjustable work table.

If you decide to sell it, it's not permanent so you'll never know it was there. And if you bought it right, you won't lose any money.

 

[fastbike02]

or a maxjax lift, you can move it out of the way if you need too!

 

[Jarhead0408]

Hey OP, I hear you man...but I'm willing to bet if you install a good lift you'll never regret it.

I've got a scissor lift that's in constant use. It's really been a game changer for me. My knee is pretty messed up. I couldn't do half of what I do without that lift. I actually purchased it BECAUSE I messed my knee up.

I also have a two-post lift that I'll be installing next year. Trust me, it's worth it.

 

[glentre]

I'm a 77 yr old building my first garage. I'm still active and in good shape but it gets a little old crawling under my antiques and I find jobs I should be doing are put off because of the need to work on the cars on the floor lying on my back. A lift in the new garage is something I'm really looking forward to.

To the OP, as you get older, you will have the option of installing a lift later on because you did all the prep work during the original construction and you will not regret having spent that money.

Glen