Narrow 2-post asymmetric lift (GP-7) and short-wheelbase cars

I've been researching ways to cram cars into my narrow garage and I stumbled upon a few asymmetric 2-post lifts that will give me a good amount of workspace while also allowing me to park a car along the side.

I really like the idea of asymmetry for a 2-post lift, because I'm trying to go as narrow as possible for space reasons, garage protrusion reasons, and because I still want to be able to open the doors on the car...

I was looking at the Bendpak XPR-10AS (which has a narrow 137" configuration), but I read a lot about peoples' struggles with getting the arms to meet up with factory pickup points on short-wheelbase case. Most of the cars I'll be working on are small (think MGB, classic Bronco...even a Smart Fortwo), and it seemed like maybe this wouldn't be the best option. Then I discovered the Bendpak GP-7 (125" wide total and is semi-asymmetric), but couldn't find too much real-world use on it around here.

Do all narrow 2-post lifts suffer the same alignment irritation, or is it unique to the XPR-10AS in a narrow configuration? If an arm is too short to reach factory pickup points, can't I just stick a hockey puck further up the arm and lift there?

Anyone have any tales to share with regard to the GP-7? I'm wondering just how asymmetric it can be, and if I'll be able to lift these cars at all...I was also looking at the Atlas A7, Forward Lift DP10A, Dannmar Brigadier 10AC, Rotary SPOA10, and the Atlas 9KOH (all of which are 131-137" wide and asymmetric(ish)).

Look at the Rotary Model ATO7
http://www.rotarylift.com/Lifts/ATO7/

Rotary in ground if you can afford it and need space...

An in-ground lift is difficult to park under, and I'd very much like that ability.

The AT07 looks pretty perfect, though...I can't believe I was unaware of it after all this research. Any experience with it?

We've sold a few and had very few issues with them after installation. It's not a big product for most Rotary distributors, more of an "as needed" product for small shops or that ultra-narrow bay in a dealership where you just don't have the full space for the full size lift.

The problem with short wheelbase cars is the arms are too long. On an asymmetric it’s a lot better situation potentially. You need the long arm to have a short minimum. If it’s a 3 section arm that is pretty likely.

Tremelune said:

An in-ground lift is difficult to park under, and I'd very much like that ability.

The AT07 looks pretty perfect, though...I can't believe I was unaware of it after all this research. Any experience with it?

Click to expand...

You never mentioned needing the ability to park under
I have a working shop, and it’s not an issue as working on car off ground with one under it isn’t exactly a good practice

I'm also looking at the AT07 after seeing the dimensions. Looks very interesting. Is the drive thru width at 92" very narrow?

Also for asymmetric in general, how much of the car ends up forward of the columns?

True asymmetric lifts (where the columns are rotated at about 30 degrees to face the load center) are typically designed for a 30/70 loading. 30% in front of columns, 70% behind the columns. That being said, the size of the vehicle you are picking up also makes a difference...a truck will typically get loaded a bit further forward, etc...

The average car is a bit over 78" wide, luxury cars a bit wider. Since the ATO7 is 7,000 lbs. capacity, you won't be picking up too many full size vehicles or trucks with it. It's really designed for making use of a narrow space for smaller vehicles.

If ya'all are interested, let me know. I'm happy to price them out with a "Garage Journal" discount!

Do you know how close you can install it to a garage far side wall, opposite the garage doors? I have 24’ depth. If I can install the posts closer to the far wall so that I can more easily use the lift bay as an every day parking space as well (pull forward for lifting, with the posts out of the way for everyday door opening) I will reduce the total width for a smaller footprint.

I had a thread about this a few weeks ago, and decided that since a lift bay would **** as an everyday parking space, I had to make it a 2-car bay 24’ wide. However, if I can install an asymmetrical lift closer to the far wall I might able able to get away with making it only a 1 car stall and thus save some backyard space!

I can fit it in my garage (to the inch), but I fear I'm either too close to the wall (which turns into my house...so maybe there's still concrete?), or that I won't be able to position smaller cars for the arms to reach...although smaller cars mean I could position them less asymmetrically by pulling forward...

Probably time to bust out a tape measure and see what the arm "arch" really is...

Now I tell ya hwhat, this is actually looking pretty good. Below is a mockup of the arm sweeps superimposed around representations of the jack points for a Smart ForTwo, and Jeep CJ7, and a Tesla Model 3...Quite small to rather large.

I had to estimate the location of the arm pivot points relative to the post, so this may be a couple inches off. I offset the blue arms 4" inward and the red arms 4" backward. The Smart is on the edge, but the only car smaller is a classic Mini...

I'm gonna try and get a few more dimensions from Rotary if I can...