4 Post Lift in small Garage?

[Gizzygone]

I’m considering adding a four post lift to my small two car garage. Space is limited width-wise, And ceiling space is just under 10 feet.

My thought is that a four post lift would make my oil changes and basic maintenance a little bit easier. Also, I think that having a lift would let me store my car safely out of the way of brush-by damage.

On the other hand, lifts are more expensive than ever and putting one in might make taking a quick cruise more difficult.

I’m curious if anybody here has ever regretted buying a lift, even if space was minimal.

 

[ItsNemo]

In floor scissor lift in a tiny 2 car here, no regrets on the style...never in the way and WAY more useful for working on vehicles than a 4 post. Only downside is no ability to double stack, but I didn't have the ceiling height for that anyway.

 

[jbfsr]

Four post in my 24 x 24. No regrets.

 

[wssix99]

I have three lifts. 2 four posts and 1 two post. I regret buying the 2 post lift. Using it *****. It gets worse every day as my knees get stiffer...

 

[LXCam]

You won’t regret it. 10ft isn’t bad if you’re under 5’8ish. You’ll be able to raise a typical 4dr sedan and still work upright without issue.

 

[finn]

I have three lifts. 2 four posts and 1 two post. I regret buying the 2 post lift. Using it *****. It gets worse every day as my knees get stiffer...

My sentiments exactly. I also have a couple of four posts and a two post.

Ten foot ceilings may not be enough to park under, though.

My neighbor does body work on the side, so the mid rise scissor lift works for him, although when not in use it’s a trip hazard and generally in the way.

 

[Gizzygone]

You won’t regret it. 10ft isn’t bad if you’re under 5’8ish. You’ll be able to raise a typical 4dr sedan and still work upright without issue.

My daughter’s brand new Cozy Coupe should fit!

I don’t expect to be able to fit a whole car underneath: but I figured it’d make toys and stuff easier to get to.

But again: then it becomes a chore/process to get the car out when I want to enjoy it.

I’ve considered quick jacks too (figured I could easily work on my fun car… my daily truck and my wife’s SUV)…. But the appeal of putting my car out of harms way in the winter is also quite appealing…

 

[Stuart in MN]

I’m considering adding a four post lift to my small two car garage. Space is limited width-wise, And ceiling space is just under 10 feet.

Be aware that if you also intend on storing one car on the lift while parking a second below, 10 feet may not be adequate unless both cars are pretty low. It's possible (I'm doing it my garage) but SUVs and pickups won't work at all.

 

[LXCam]

My daughter’s brand new Cozy Coupe should fit!

I don’t expect to be able to fit a whole car underneath: but I figured it’d make toys and stuff easier to get to.

But again: then it becomes a chore/process to get the car out when I want to enjoy it.

I’ve considered quick jacks too (figured I could easily work on my fun car… my daily truck and my wife’s SUV)…. But the appeal of putting my car out of harms way in the winter is also quite appealing…

I think I understand what you’re saying, I think

So if it’s toys you need out of the way. Maybe get a four poster with filler panels and store the toys up top.

 

[Glemon]

I have a four post in the 21 deep by 24 wide two stall section of my garage. Ceiling is 9' 8". I keep two sports cars in their no problem. I can even park my Lexus sedan under with a sports car up top. As far as work goes I am 6'0" I can't get the ramps up high enough (with a car on top) that I don't have to duck a little bit, but I can duck under the ramp and still stand under the car. Also, suspension and brake work you can do at chest level right in front of you rather than bending over or laying on the ground. It is wonderful, life altering even, if you work on cars a lot and have never had one before. I pulled an exhaust off my old Porsche a month or two ago. Have light, leverage, and access makes the job so much easier.

Had it for a little over a year, no regrets.

 

[Gizzygone]

I think I understand what you’re saying, I think

So if it’s toys you need out of the way. Maybe get a four poster with filler panels and store the toys up top.

That thought crossed my mind last night also….

 

[ScottinSSMd]

I have a four post in the 21 deep by 24 wide two stall section of my garage. Ceiling is 9' 8". I keep two sports cars in their no problem. I can even park my Lexus sedan under with a sports car up top. As far as work goes I am 6'0" I can't get the ramps up high enough (with a car on top) that I don't have to duck a little bit, but I can duck under the ramp and still stand under the car. Also, suspension and brake work you can do at chest level right in front of you rather than bending over or laying on the ground. It is wonderful, life altering even, if you work on cars a lot and have never had one before. I pulled an exhaust off my old Porsche a month or two ago. Have light, leverage, and access makes the job so much easier.

Had it for a little over a year, no regrets.

Any chance I could get brand and model number you have? You describe my scenario to the T.

 

[u2slow]

I got a 4-post first... I started to set it up and realized I could no longer keep 2 vehicles inside. My space is 20x38' arranged double-deep. It also didn't lift high enough to put one underneath.

The 2-post I got instead is almost setup and will work out nice.

 

[Yankeefarmer]

I got a 4-post first... I started to set it up and realized I could no longer keep 2 vehicles inside. My space is 20x38' arranged double-deep. It also didn't lift high enough to put one underneath.

The 2-post I got instead is almost setup and will work out nice.

…But that has nothing to do with it having been a 4 post; you just got the wrong one for your needs. I can park my F250 under my raised 4 post.

 

[BruceMc]

Not to point out the obvious, but the lift height is determined by the height of the vehicle and the ceiling, not if it's a 2-post or a 4-post.

 

[u2slow]

…But that has nothing to do with it having been a 4 post; you just got the wrong one for your needs. I can park my F250 under my raised 4 post.

Well, sort of. The 4-post needs to be longer for long-wheelbase rigs.

My limited budget forced me into used, where you take what you can find. Only 5'5" clearance under the particular 4-post I had, and don't own any vehicles that low.

 

[Glemon]

Any chance I could get brand and model number you have? You describe my scenario to the T.

Here you go. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1550534507...eF7FisYfVKUGqpUgAG_eYVV35_i4x9M8aAklxEALw_wcB

Very happy with it, no issues with installation, holes lined up, hardware fit, etc. Instructions pretty much non existent, but some good YouTube videos out there.

 

[ycgoat]

Sorry to thread jack, but so many choices and variables for 1 piece of shop equipment. I guess its time for a custom spread sheet.

 

[Gizzygone]

I should have saved my spreadsheet; I compared about 2 dozen lifts from a dozen or so places.

I really bought Into the Advantage marketing, but there wasn’t a Goldilocks size for me.

Bendpak had a driveway delivery option at an up charge, and some sizes that really utilized my space nicely.

 

[PoorOwner]

Are you putting the 4 post to one side? I think it would feel tight to work on the side against the wall. But fluid changes would be fine.

Centered the middle of the garage would be good. But you cannot park 2 cars side by side.

 

[racecougar]

I've posted this spreadsheet a number of times, though the prices are quite dated now. I put this together in May 2020.