2 post Car Lift - How far from back wall?

[bagsanthony]

Pulling the trigger on a Forward DP10 Versymetrical lift ( can be both in an asymetric or symetric orientation)

I realize this has come up but looking for some better feedback- from the back wall (wall opposite garage door) how far is the wall to the centerline of your lift? Would you do anything differently? I’m thinking 15 ft but not too sure. I will mostly be lifting sedans, muscle cars and trucks up to 3/4 tons

 

[gizardlizard]

Depends on how much depth you have to work with. You will definitely want more room at the front of the vehicle than the rear. Especially for toolboxes or whatever. Centerline of my lift

 

[gizardlizard]

Whoops. Centerline of my lift to rear wall is 12’ 6”. I have a workbench on the wall, and that leaves me with about 26” from the front bumper of my crewmax tundra to the front of the workbench. I wouldn’t want it much closer. If you are planning on 15 feet, that’s a lot of wasted space UNLESS you have lots of depth behind the truck to the garage door.

 

[bagsanthony]

Whoops. Centerline of my lift to rear wall is 12’ 6”. I have a workbench on the wall, and that leaves me with about 26” from the front bumper of my crewmax tundra to the front of the workbench. I wouldn’t want it much closer. If you are planning on 15 feet, that’s a lot of wasted space UNLESS you have lots of depth behind the truck to the garage door.

 

[bagsanthony]

Yes so the space is 34 ft deep so the extra space in front is ok

 

[HoosierMark]

My space is 36 foot deep. I made it so I could have a work bench against the wall. Room to walk and turn around about 4-5 feet. Then that would be where the front bumper of the vehicle is. I can have one vehicle on the lift and get another partially under it and close the door If need be My thought was any space in front of lift besides a work area is probably wasted space so transfer it to behind the vehicle.

 

[firebirdparts]

I'm thinking 15 feet. I don't know what the likelihood is that you pick up something symmetrical. If you do, then 15 feet will cover you with room to work. A symmetrical lift could need to be closer, really. If it was for me it would anyway.

 

[bagsanthony]

I'm thinking 15 feet. I don't know what the likelihood is that you pick up something symmetrical. If you do, then 15 feet will cover you with room to work. A symmetrical lift could need to be closer, really. If it was for me it would anyway.

You add a toolbox in front and pull a big diesel in and you may wish you had the extra room… or using an engine hoist…. I’m not sure about closer

 

[bagsanthony]

My space is 36 foot deep. I made it so I could have a work bench against the wall. Room to walk and turn around about 4-5 feet. Then that would be where the front bumper of the vehicle is. I can have one vehicle on the lift and get another partially under it and close the door If need be My thought was any space in front of lift besides a work area is probably wasted space so transfer it to behind the vehicle.

I agree on the wasted space. So are you about 15 ft from the back wall or so?

 

[Kaizen]

My 2 post is smack dab in the middle so 15 feet. I also put it 4 feet off the side wall so i could either walk around or put stuff there. Ended up making a vertical steel storage area for steel tube. My back wall in front of the lift is chock full of welding table, sand blast cabinet, engine hoist, etc. The lift is probably the only thing in my shop that doesnt move.

 

[finn]

Start by downloading the installation manual for the lift you are buying. Read the guidelines the manufacturer recommends and use those numbers as a starting point. Modify as you like, but don’t go under the manufacturer’s recommendation.

I wouldn’t go by some random internet guy’s recommendation without understanding the manufacturer’s recommendations first.

 

[carcruse]

Start by downloading the installation manual for the lift you are buying. Read the guidelines the manufacturer 1recommends and use those numbers as a starting point. Modify as you like, but don’t go under the manufacturer’s recommendation.

I wouldn’t go by some random internet guy’s recommendation without understanding the manufacturer’s recommendations first.

He should also look at the lifting points of the 3/4 ton and other vehicles he intends to lift to see where the bumper will be in relation to the post. Also, will need to consider what , if anything (cabinets, storage, etc,), is between the bumper and wall plus walking space.

 

[finn]

He should also look at the lifting points of the 3/4 ton and other vehicles he intends to lift to see where the bumper will be in relation to the post. Also, will need to consider what , if anything (cabinets, storage, etc,), is between the bumper and wall plus walking space.

Agreed. All that cg information is also available in the books and manuals provided with the lift if it’s certified. Not sure about uncertified lifts, as it’s the ALI that publishes that particular info.

 

[bagsanthony]

Thanks gentlemen! Yes, most manufacturer’s are saying min. 12 ft for symmetrical lifts. I am adding an additional 3 ft because of workbench in front. That was my reasoning/logic. Just looking for feedback on what you all have

 

[Kaizen]

Thanks gentlemen! Yes, most manufacturer’s are saying min. 12 ft for symmetrical lifts. I am adding an additional 3 ft because of workbench in front. That was my reasoning/logic. Just looking for feedback on what you all have

don't forget an engine hoist with engine attached takes a good 6 feet to clear the engine of the car. That would be one of those build a bookcase in your cellar and realize it won't fit through the door things.

 

[finn]

Thanks gentlemen! Yes, most manufacturer’s are saying min. 12 ft for symmetrical lifts. I am adding an additional 3 ft because of workbench in front. That was my reasoning/logic. Just looking for feedback on what you all have

From memory, I positioned mine about 15’ from the back wall. Another foot would be nice, as the room is 24’wx32’d, but the door isn’t real wide and I need access to the stall next to the lift, which might be an issue if I had located the posts farther from the wall. That stall is a work area, with cars rarely moving in and out.

I skewed the lift by maybe a foot for a better approach angle.

Works good for me.

 

[charbar]

I have one of mine 14 feet from the wall to the center of the post. I needed to have it as close to the wall as possible but still be able to get crew cab 8' bed pickups on it. There is enough room to work around the front of a pickup like that but not enough to pull an engine. BUT I made sure that I could also back in a crewcab pickup with a longbox FLATBED (usually longer than an actual box and bumper) so I have plenty of room between the front of the vehicle and the garage door to pull engines that way. The 14 feet gives me about a foot to spare between the back of a long pickup and the wall if I have it backed in, but pulled in forward I have probably 3-4 feet between the front of a pickup with a Ranchhand/Thunderstruck style full replacement bumper and the wall. Again, these are all crew cab 3/4 and 1 ton long box pickups.

 

[bagsanthony]

I have one of mine 14 feet from the wall to the center of the post. I needed to have it as close to the wall as possible but still be able to get crew cab 8' bed pickups on it. There is enough room to work around the front of a pickup like that but not enough to pull an engine. BUT I made sure that I could also back in a crewcab pickup with a longbox FLATBED (usually longer than an actual box and bumper) so I have plenty of room between the front of the vehicle and the garage door to pull engines that way. The 14 feet gives me about a foot to spare between the back of a long pickup and the wall if I have it backed in, but pulled in forward I have probably 3-4 feet between the front of a pickup with a Ranchhand/Thunderstruck style full replacement bumper and the wall. Again, these are all crew cab 3/4 and 1 ton long box pickups.

Thanks. If you don’t mind me asking how deep is your garage? Mine is 34ft. My logic of putting it at 15 ft or 15’6 is that I didn’t want to be so far from the toolboxes and workbenches for most things that go on it… the 3/4 tons and 1 tons with the long boxes can be backed in just as you said

 

[HoosierMark]

Bagsanothony. My lift is 14 feet from the wall. it works great for my needs.
Good luck

 

[bagsanthony]

Bagsanothony. My lift is 14 feet from the wall. it works great for my needs.
Good luck

Thanks for your help sir

 

[charbar]

Thanks. If you don’t mind me asking how deep is your garage? Mine is 34ft. My logic of putting it at 15 ft or 15’6 is that I didn’t want to be so far from the toolboxes and workbenches for most things that go on it… the 3/4 tons and 1 tons with the long boxes can be backed in just as you said

My shop is 40' deep.

If you plan on having a toolbox or workbench in front of the lift then 15 feet might get a little tight at times with a big pickup. Here is a picture of my EXTENDED cab long box SuperDuty of where it would be if it was set up on the lift. There is just under 4-1/2 feet between the grille guard and the wall. Would be a few inches less if it were a crew cab. If I had my toolbox in front of that I wouldn't even be able to open the drawers all the way. It would be a squeeze walking between or working under the hood. Granted you would have another foot or so and could always move something away from the wall in front of the lift if you needed the room. Just depends on your situation. I've got a Subaru Outback on another lift right now and it only sticks out 7-1/2 ft from the center of the lift post.

 

[bagsanthony]

My shop is 40' deep.

If you plan on having a toolbox or workbench in front of the lift then 15 feet might get a little tight at times with a big pickup. Here is a picture of my EXTENDED cab long box SuperDuty of where it would be if it was set up on the lift. There is just under 4-1/2 feet between the grille guard and the wall. Would be a few inches less if it were a crew cab. If I had my toolbox in front of that I wouldn't even be able to open the drawers all the way. It would be a squeeze walking between or working under the hood. Granted you would have another foot or so and could always move something away from the wall in front of the lift if you needed the room. Just depends on your situation. I've got a Subaru Outback on another lift right now and it only sticks out 7-1/2 ft from the center of the lift post.

Thanks for the great info man! Appreciate it!