Best type of lift for my small garage?

cobrakillerta · Aug 27, 2020

So, I do not have a ton of room in my a garage, but I’d love a lift to make routine maintenance and tinkering easier.

My two car garage is only about 20’x20’. The right bay is for my car (‘18 Camaro 1LE) and the left bay has my tool chest, work bench, bicycles, etc.

The right bay where the car is, is about 20’ deep, 10’ wide (to the pole), ceiling height is 9.5’, there is a beam at 8.5’ and the garage door opener is at 7.5’. There is storage above the garage that is another 3.5’ tall, which I’d love to eventually open the ceiling up to. But, for now I’m ok with the lower height with the option of punching higher later on. My main concern is the width of the area, what can I fit in this space???

A Mohawk A7 for my space seems like the holy grail, but I feel like I may need to settle for a quick jack or similar.

What do the garagejournal experts thing???

BlakeTheCarGuy · Aug 27, 2020

Mohawk and Quick Jacks are good. I have a friend who has a garage about your size and he has the Triumph 4 post lift in his garage it fits fine to raise his smaller pick up truck and his regular sized cars.

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kaymccampbell · Aug 27, 2020

I have an Atlas 7K Kwikbay that lifts about 39" off the floor. It works well in my 8' high shop. It also makes a nice lift table to unload things onto, and an adjustable work table, and a motorcycle lift.

DetroitDIESEL444 · Aug 28, 2020

Look at the triumph c7000

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JRC3 · Aug 28, 2020

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8617728&postcount=20

My two cents. The naysayers will be by shortly to complain how it's not good for trans work. Though I have no problem with it.

Just pulled my mower deck off yesterday to do some work...Nothing like working on a riding mower at sternum height.

txvwnut · Aug 28, 2020

A mid-rise scissor lift could work in your garage but I suggest raising the garage door as high as you can. I’ve got a couple of friends who have quick jacks and I’ll say a jack and jack stands are better than a quick jack.

RAYJAY · Aug 28, 2020

kaymccampbell said:
I have an Atlas 7K Kwikbay that lifts about 39" off the floor. It works well in my 8' high shop. It also makes a nice lift table to unload things onto, and an adjustable work table, and a motorcycle lift.

have the same lift its the best thing we ever bought use it more for a work table than a lift,

when buyig a lift you need ta ask your self what I'm i going to do with it

myself i do for the most part oil changes, brakes, and tire rotations. also do all of my detailing on the lift, so much easyer to buff out the lower section of a car than sitting on the ground doing it

nerraw117 · Aug 28, 2020

I love my scissor lift. Wouldn't trade it for anything. I got the bendpak md6-xp

CraigStu · Aug 28, 2020

A scissor for sure.

240sxguy · Aug 28, 2020

Do you need to be able to remove the lift for any reason, other hobbies etc...?

My garage is 20x30 and I'm kind of in the same situation since we have similar widths. I am looking at the triumph c-7000 because it's portable. I'd prefer an in-ground scissor like a lot of the guys here have done but the price is just too much for me to stomach. Atlas FM9SL is really ideal for me and my workspace requirements.

I am trying to keep a clear floor as I also like to woodwork and have other hobbies that the shop will need to accommodate.

EDIT; As we discuss this and I read the replies I am once again leaning toward the scissor setup.

pbon · Aug 28, 2020

If you buy a narrow 2 post, get one with angled columns so you can open the car doors. Or bias it a bit forward or back so you can daily park without the doors hitting the columns. I’d open up the ceiling to get the space if it would help, but I don’t understand how the beam could affect that.

You may be stuck with a max Jax or quick jack or scissor lift. Any lift is better than no lift. Scissors are my least favorite but some people like them.

I have a 4 post now, which takes away the problem of the doors hitting the posts. I bought a tall one so when it is up at 7 feet, I can walk under it. Again, I don’t know about the issues your beam would cause if you did open up the ceiling. I don’t think a 4 post makes any sense if you are limited to your current height.

TylerRNEMT · Aug 28, 2020

Absolutely would not trade my 6500lb capacity scissor for anything else when ceiling height is a concern. In your space like in mine you will have to build some type of ramp system to be able to park the Camaro on top of the lift all the time....it truly isn't much of an issue once you get used to parking on top of it all the time.

The huge advantage in your situation by going scissor would be the lack of posts you would have to deal with on a 2 post set up..... with a scissor you can build the ramp system and park the car on top of it all the time and essentially take up zero space when not in use..... as narrow as your space is getting the width you would need with a 2 post is going to be a huge issue AND they will constantly be in your way.
-Tyler

cobrakillerta · Aug 28, 2020

TylerRNEMT said:
Absolutely would not trade my 6500lb capacity scissor for anything else when ceiling height is a concern. In your space like in mine you will have to build some type of ramp system to be able to park the Camaro on top of the lift all the time....it truly isn't much of an issue once you get used to parking on top of it all the time.

The huge advantage in your situation by going scissor would be the lack of posts you would have to deal with on a 2 post set up..... with a scissor you can build the ramp system and park the car on top of it all the time and essentially take up zero space when not in use..... as narrow as your space is getting the width you would need with a 2 post is going to be a huge issue AND they will constantly be in your way.
-Tyler

Hmmmm, as much as I would love a two post lift, I really think this May be the way I have to go for my limited space.

May I ask what lift that is exactly?

Do I have to check anything with my floor/slab for compatibility with a scissor lift? The slab is decently smooth and has been painted by the previous owner. My house was built in 1969 (if that matters), but I have no idea on the thickness of the slab.

javyLSU · Aug 28, 2020

I've got a garage similar in size to yours, and have nothing but great things to say about my Twin Busch S3-10E mid-rise scissor lift. Couldn't recommend them more. My thoughts here:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7892867#post7892867

cobrakillerta · Aug 28, 2020

javyLSU said:
I've got a garage similar in size to yours, and have nothing but great things to say about my Twin Busch S3-10E mid-rise scissor lift. Couldn't recommend them more. My thoughts here:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7892867#post7892867

I do like the idea of a scissor lift that has its own ‘track’ like that vs the others that just roll along the floor. It seems like it would operate smoother and not need such strict floor requirements.

What were some of the other similar style scissor lifts like this one that you were considering?

TylerRNEMT · Aug 28, 2020

cobrakillerta said:
Hmmmm, as much as I would love a two post lift, I really think this May be the way I have to go for my limited space.

May I ask what lift that is exactly?

Do I have to check anything with my floor/slab for compatibility with a scissor lift? The slab is decently smooth and has been painted by the previous owner. My house was built in 1969 (if that matters), but I have no idea on the thickness of the slab.

Here is a link to the thread I did in more detail about the lift:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=435354

It's a Titan SL-6600

-Tyler

javyLSU · Aug 28, 2020

cobrakillerta said:
I do like the idea of a scissor lift that has its own ‘track’ like that vs the others that just roll along the floor. It seems like it would operate smoother and not need such strict floor requirements.

What were some of the other similar style scissor lifts like this one that you were considering?

I agree, that's why I was down to this lift and the Atlas Kwik Bay 7000 because the load of the vehicle (and the lift) is not concentrated on the 3 square inch patches of concrete underneath the steel rollers, but instead spread across the two tracks of the lift. I could already envision the grooves and cracks forming on my concrete floor...

From everything I could gather, these two lifts are practically identical, possibly manufactured by the same OEM in China. What tipped me towards the Twin Busch was the fact that you don't need air to release the locks. I know lots of guys say they rig up a small compressor or what not, but I'd rather just get the lift that doesn't need air, since I've converted everything in my garage to battery powered and don't use air for anything else.

pbon · Aug 28, 2020

There is also at least one company that makes twin post in ground lifts. It uses a “cassette” that you bury into the ground after cutting a rectangle out of the concrete.

javyLSU · Aug 28, 2020

cobrakillerta said:
I do like the idea of a scissor lift that has its own ‘track’ like that vs the others that just roll along the floor. It seems like it would operate smoother and not need such strict floor requirements.

What were some of the other similar style scissor lifts like this one that you were considering?

One thing I just noticed when I got home today... I took a look at the nameplate on the motor of my Twin Busch lift, and thought it looked familiar... Turns out both the Twin Busch and the Greg Smith Atlas use Dajin motors, further supporting my guess that these are made in the same factory. Here's the nameplate on the motor of my lift:

And here's the nameplate that Greg Smith Equipment shows on the Atlas Qwik Bay 7000:

pbon · Aug 28, 2020

I had an Atlas BP8000 floor plate 2 post that I liked a lot— great value at the $1,400 I paid. But I had 10.5’ ceilings and could lift my BMWs 6’ or nearly that because they weren’t very tall. Might still get you up higher than a max Jax with most vehicles other than large SUV and pick up trucks, while giving you the unfettered underneath access you will ever get wit a scissor lift.

Iowafox · Aug 28, 2020

Best lift for a small garage is a floor jack and jack stands lol sorry I had to be that guy!

JRC3 · Aug 28, 2020

pbon said:
...while giving you the unfettered underneath access you will ever get wit a scissor lift.

I do exhaust and trans work just fine with my scissor lift.

pbon · Aug 29, 2020

JRC3 said:
I do exhaust and trans work just fine with my scissor lift.

Most of them have Upper and lower cross braces that get in the way, plus you gave the entire lift assembly under the middle of the car. I had a friend with a snap on mid rise scissor lift that he sold because Removing and Installing exhausts and transmissions was a pain. He bought a max Jax and likes it a lot more.

But any lift is better than no lift and sometimes you can’t choose what you want. I’d rather have a 2 post lift but have a 4 post because my carriage house has a wood floor.

CraigStu · Aug 29, 2020

240sx one nice thing about a scissor is you can bring it up to table (or whatever works best) height, throw on a piece of plywood and have a perfect table for other projects.

Cairo94507 · Aug 29, 2020

I love my BendPak mid-rise scissor lift.

nerraw117 · Aug 29, 2020

I also built a cover for the lift that I use as a table. I have a ramp for it that I use for lawnmowers and motorcycles.

RAYJAY · Aug 29, 2020

here is my lift

regguy1 · Aug 29, 2020

Scissor lift blocks access to much of the underside. If you want full under car access consider a MaxJax mid rise side by side
Check out mine here: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=71225

Here is an in depth comparison of Scissor Lift vs MaxJax https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=75488&highlight=scissor+lift+maxjax

javyLSU · Aug 29, 2020

I’m no South Main Auto, but I haven’t come across anything yet that I couldn’t do because I was blocked by my scissor lift... Different solutions for different garages, but I enjoy not having to deal with two columns where I park my vehicle every night.

JRC3 · Aug 29, 2020

javyLSU said:
I’m no South Main Auto, but I haven’t come across anything yet that I couldn’t do because I was blocked by my scissor lift... Different solutions for different garages, but I enjoy not having to deal with two columns where I park my vehicle every night.

Exactly. I park over mine every day too. Do you have some of the big Sunex stands I've posted before? https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sunex-1410...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 2 sets not only allow trans and exhust work, but I use them in lieu of the mid-rise safety lock.

And I can't express more how good it is having a lift table and a solid work table at my fingertips. I can load a riding mower or rented aerator on/off my pickup as easy as possible. I pull my riding mower onto the lift and work on the deck, and even stuff like carb work...Push mowers too. Only time I bend over working on a mower is if I drop something.

RAYJAY · Aug 30, 2020

JRC3 said:
Exactly. I park over mine every day too. Do you have some of the big Sunex stands I've posted before? https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sunex-1410...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 2 sets not only allow trans and exhust work, but I use them in lieu of the mid-rise safety lock.

And I can't express more how good it is having a lift table and a solid work table at my fingertips. I can load a riding mower or rented aerator on/off my pickup as easy as possible. I pull my riding mower onto the lift and work on the deck, and even stuff like carb work...Push mowers too. Only time I bend over working on a mower is if I drop something.

JRC do you cover your lift for your mowers or just run them up the ramps?

nerraw117 · Aug 30, 2020

A picture of my cover and ramp

wake74 · Aug 30, 2020

Welcome to the too small garage club

I went with the MaxJax. It's definitely a compromise in not being a full height 2 post. I've actually got headroom in my garage for a full height 2 post (13') but wanted to be able to remove the right (center of garage) post. When I know I'm not going to be doing any lift work for a while, I remove that center post, and store it along the outside of the garage next to the left post. It makes parking two vehicles in the garage much easier with-out the center post.

I debated mid-rise scissor vs. MaxJax for some time. There have been a few times where I thought the scissor would have been in the way but if I'm honest with myself, the scissor would have been fine 90% of the time.

I've had my Tundra on my MaxJax, but the truck is too big to really fit in the garage. I can only pick it up a couple of feet, before the overhead door, garage door opener, etc. gets in the way. For the TR6 and E36, it's a non-issue. I've got a car buddy about 1/2 mile away who just put a top of the line Bendpack 4 post with dual hydraulic jack set-up in. The Tundra will be headed to his garage for future maintenance

428PI · Aug 30, 2020

I have the 5000 lb extra length quickjack. I use it every other weekend on average. I just park right over it no problem. The newer ones lift a few inches higher which would be great. I lift a little over 4000 lb vehicles and it does ok with them (2000 5.0 awd Explorer and 2005 Grand Marquis). Get the 7000 lb if you can (only loose a little ground clearance and are harder to move). It would be hard to remove a trans with one though. Scissors are nice for a little more height if you have ceiling room for it but are hard to move. 2 post is the way to go if you have the ceiling height.

lolaetype · Aug 30, 2020

I just ordered a MaxJax Portable, the one Regguy1 talks about above. I pick it up in Mobile the first week in September. It leaves the underbody of the car accessible, gives you four feet or more clear space under the car. Two big pluses for me are that you can vary the distance between the towers to suit your individual requirements and when not in use you can unbolt the towers from the floor and move them out of the way.

https://www.maxjax.com/maxjax/

javyLSU · Aug 30, 2020

JRC3 said:
Exactly. I park over mine every day too. Do you have some of the big Sunex stands I've posted before? https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sunex-1410...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 2 sets not only allow trans and exhust work, but I use them in lieu of the mid-rise safety lock.

And I can't express more how good it is having a lift table and a solid work table at my fingertips. I can load a riding mower or rented aerator on/off my pickup as easy as possible. I pull my riding mower onto the lift and work on the deck, and even stuff like carb work...Push mowers too. Only time I bend over working on a mower is if I drop something.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used my lift to unload stuff from my truck - tool cabinets, furniture, workbenches, you name it. My wife calls it “the loading dock” now...

Last year I used my scissor lift to help install some new lighting on the ceiling of my garage! It’s been really handy, and something I totally did not realize until after I bought it.

I don’t have the Sunex stands, but I do use something similar - I found some RV slide out stabilizers that fit my use perfectly... Caught them on discount for $38/pair, so I wound up with all four corners for $76!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FS3CCMI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Jvvmusme · Aug 30, 2020

maxjax period

brownbagg · Aug 30, 2020

if you get a four post, you can put wheels on it and push it out into the drive way

brownbagg · Aug 30, 2020

my lift is outside

JRC3 · Aug 31, 2020

RAYJAY said:
JRC do you cover your lift for your mowers or just run them up the ramps?

Right on to the lift for a riding mower. Makes deck leveling easy.

Smaller stuff like push mowers, it depends on the task. Sometimes I use the 2x10s I use as ramps for low riding cars. I just set them on top as a table. I also have a small 2'x3' piece of plywood.

The jack stands serve other functions too. Overkill, but otherwise they just sit under the bench.

Best type of lift for my small garage?

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