Considering purchase of a lift for my shop, I have 13' ceilings. My question for everyone is about living with the lift, I park my F-150 crew cab in the bay that I would install the lift in, so for most of the time my truck will have to sit in the lift. Does anyone else do this?
Living with a Lift
- Thread starter jerryd68
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Keithinsc
Well-known member
I do park inside of mine quite often. I have plenty of room to the rear, so I end up stopping short about 2-3' from where I would if I was lifting it. Makes getting in and out of the truck MUCH easier.
gandyj
Well-known member
I have two lifts in my garage, a 4 post that has a car on top and one underneath and a 2 post that another car is parked in. I'm sure you'll find a lot of folks do the same thing.
That's what I'm thinking, I guess that was part of my question, can you park in such a way that the lift isn't a big deal during normal parking?
Lucky Llama
Well-known member
When I'm not using my lift, I raise it up all the way and park underneath.
Cairo94507
Well-known member
I sunk a scissor lift into my floor and it rests flush to the floor when not in use. No issues whatsoever. The trade off is it only raises the cars 52" high. But at this point in my life, that works for me.
Thats the idea!!! I didnt think about that, so as long as I have uprights long enough to raise the arms higher than my truck I would be good, how about the placement of the uprights to the door opening on the vehicle.
firebirdparts
Well-known member
It's entirely convenient if you stop short. No problem. The asymmetric lifts are made to do that always.
pvanderlugt
Well-known member
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- Nov 14, 2010
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If you have a car maybe.... arms will not raise high enough to clear any truck that I know off.... and leaving the arms up makes for a very good “head banger”.......
Depending on how deep your garage is, and location of the uprights , it is a pain to deal with,including tripping over the arms When you get out...
My shop is deep enough, I installed my lift as far forward (farthest from door) as was practical,Leaving enough room for toolboxes etc....like mentioned above, if you stop short, no issues..... for normal day to day parking, I back in to keep the doors clear of the Post...
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finn
Well-known member
It’s ok if your garage is deep enough that you can stop short such that the doors open fully without fouling on the posts..
Parking a full sized truck between the posts of an extended width asymmetric lift in a short garage where you have to open the doors between the posts won’t work well though. You will end up parking in the driveway after the first week.
Parking a full sized truck between the posts of an extended width asymmetric lift in a short garage where you have to open the doors between the posts won’t work well though. You will end up parking in the driveway after the first week.
When I had a 2 post, I mounted it further forward in the garage so it did not interfere with opening the doors when parking. But I had enough depth to locate the lift forward. If you don’t, and want a 2 post, get one with angled columns and get one that is on the side side of you have the garage width (so it does not interfere with parking another car).
With my current 4 post that goes up 7’, I raise the lift up and park underneath. I think most trucks are about 6’ tall so this should work unless you have a monster truck. Again, look at widths between columns so you have space for your mirrors. They can be an issue. I like the 7’ clearance because I can easily walk around underneath. Some are only about 5’6”. And I can leave a car raised you on top if I want.
Of the 2 lifts, I prefer the 2 post. Asymmetrical 2 post would be my choice. Scissor lift would be my last choice due to the interference underneath for working on the car. I’d get a MaxJax if I had to have a mid rise lift.
There are expensive in floor column lifts that have zero profile, but I am not sure I would get one. The twin columns are actually under the car rather that outboard so there is some interference in the work area. 4 posts have a similar problem but bridge jacks (expensive added option) help address this issue and some 4 posts have wide enough openings between the ramps to drop an engine out the bottom.
With my current 4 post that goes up 7’, I raise the lift up and park underneath. I think most trucks are about 6’ tall so this should work unless you have a monster truck. Again, look at widths between columns so you have space for your mirrors. They can be an issue. I like the 7’ clearance because I can easily walk around underneath. Some are only about 5’6”. And I can leave a car raised you on top if I want.
Of the 2 lifts, I prefer the 2 post. Asymmetrical 2 post would be my choice. Scissor lift would be my last choice due to the interference underneath for working on the car. I’d get a MaxJax if I had to have a mid rise lift.
There are expensive in floor column lifts that have zero profile, but I am not sure I would get one. The twin columns are actually under the car rather that outboard so there is some interference in the work area. 4 posts have a similar problem but bridge jacks (expensive added option) help address this issue and some 4 posts have wide enough openings between the ramps to drop an engine out the bottom.
CraigStu
Well-known member
A normal 2 post asymmetric will only require parking 10-12 inches short to make super easy in and out. The whole reason they are asymmetric is to make it easier when using the lift so it doesn't take much to make is completely normal by parking a little short. The arms will be there but they will usually push away from the lift enough to be out of your way.
Kaizen
Well-known member
Op I’d post more details.
2post or four post?
How tall is the truck? My lift arms go up to below 6 feet I believe.
Depth of garage will come into play and you need to know where the lift will be.
I have a 2 post lift 15 feet into my 30’ deep garage. I can pull in my f150 short bed and close the door with having the doors short of the post. Just measure it out. When I put it up in lift I can barely squeeze out of the door. Also consider the arms will be trip hazzards.
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2post or four post?
How tall is the truck? My lift arms go up to below 6 feet I believe.
Depth of garage will come into play and you need to know where the lift will be.
I have a 2 post lift 15 feet into my 30’ deep garage. I can pull in my f150 short bed and close the door with having the doors short of the post. Just measure it out. When I put it up in lift I can barely squeeze out of the door. Also consider the arms will be trip hazzards.
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Chevy-SS
Well-known member
My garage is 30 x 30, with high ceiling above lift. Below is a pic of how I typically park. I can keep one car above for storage and have plenty of room underneath for full size pickup. This is one of the huge advantages of a 4-post versus 2-post.
If you opt for 4-poster, make sure to get one with extra height under the decks, so you don't have to duck every time you walk underneath.
If you opt for 4-poster, make sure to get one with extra height under the decks, so you don't have to duck every time you walk underneath.
polexican23
Banned
stopping short? that is my move
I will have to do some measering to see what work best, my shop is pretty tight, I do have a 12' X 12' door where the lift is going but not sure on depth as I have work benches in front as well as pallet racking in front
My garage is 30 x 30, with high ceiling above lift. Below is a pic of how I typically park. I can keep one car above for storage and have plenty of room underneath for full size pickup. This is one of the huge advantages of a 4-post versus 2-post.
If you opt for 4-poster, make sure to get one with extra height under the decks, so you don't have to duck every time you walk underneath.
My only issue with the 4 post is using it for items like wheels and brakes, I like the idea of being able to put my Trans Am on it and part under it though
ScaldedDog
Well-known member
This is a non issue for any vehicle I've lifted on mine, from the Excursion in the photo to a Testarossa. The pic below was taken from right in front of the rear tire of my Excursion, with the lift at the height where the pads would engage the frame, but with the arms moved out of the way. As you can see, there is plenty of room above the posts. This is particularly with trucks, where use of the extensions you can see on the arms is required, as the frame is recessed well above the body and any steps or bars. It's still not an issue with any unibody car I've lifted.
Mark
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killahog
Well-known member
Instead of relying totally on measurements do a mock up, stand a few posts up where you plan on installing the columns pull the truck in and walk around a bit.
You can make anything work, but I have spent a lot of time under cars using 2 and 4 post lifts and my preference would be a 2 post asymmetrical lift if I had the space, instead of having 2 large columns under the car. I can see the appeal of a recessed lift, though, for many people.
ScaldedDog
Well-known member
So you haven't used an in-ground lift? The downside to them is neither access nor convenience, but cost. At the same price, hardly anyone would choose to put up with above ground posts.
Mark
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Firebrick43
Well-known member
What? You know they make rolling bridge jacks that are very easy to use, but pricey. But a simple jack tray uses a bottle jack(or two) for the same thing for 150~$
Kaizen
Well-known member
Honestly the last break job I did I just used a floor jack.my truck has its plastic fuel tank right next to where I have to lift so it takes 15 min doing it solo. I can do one wheel pads in that time.
I did not get a four post due to the extra cost for the jack. Wish I did
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Chevy-SS
Well-known member
Ironically, I use my 4-poster mainly for wheels and brakes. It is perfect for brake jobs; the ramps serve as work tables at every wheel! Of course, you need some way to jack the vehicle up, and that is by using 'rolling jacks'. I have two rolling jacks, one for front and one for rear.
For the home owner who wants ability to easily/safely store a car, a 4-poster is a no-brainer.
If I was shop owner (which I was decades ago), I would want a 2-poster as well as a 4-poster.
The other cool thing about 4-poster is; you can leave it unbolted from the floor, and use rollers to move it around as necessary.
CraigStu
Well-known member
Two post asymmetrical lifts are by far the most user usable lift style. 4 posts can be made to work w/ bridge jacks but that wide steel ramp is always there in your way. More or less in your way depending on what you are doing. BTW 2 posts are just fine for storage.
