2 post hoist

[WheelTronics]

I recently purchased a Snap On 2 post vehicle hoist made by WheelTronics and whould like some advise on reducing the drive through width from 92 1/2" to maybe 74 1/2"? Is it possible/advisable to remove a section from the base panel?

 

[pattenp]

I assume you can put closer together but the leveling cables will need to be shortened. Being closer together may create a problem for setting the lift arms to fit vehicle.

 

[firebirdparts]

I assume from the dimensions here you're going to pick up lawnmowers and tractors. The above answer is plenty adequate. You can make the lift work with different dimensions if you understand how it works; getting arms under things is a challenge. They won't get short enough. You can block on the arms and the pads (ends of the arms) can be sticking beyond what you meant to engage.

 

[CraigStu]

I'd think real hard on this before you do it. pattenp and firebird have mentioned the possible problem of not being able to get the arms short enough. Firebird included possible solutions but...you need to be really careful if you don't use the OE pads on the ends of the arms. If I were going to do that I would want to figure a way to lock the pads/blocks on top of the arms.

 

[WheelTronics]

Thanks for the responces! Much appreciated! I also am wondering how close I could install the left hand post to the wall?

 

[Walkers]

A pic of the lift in question would help immensely.

 

[575cat]

I have widened one of my 9k hoist 1 foot no big deal

 

[pattenp]

Thanks for the responces! Much appreciated! I also am wondering how close I could install the left hand post to the wall?

If a floating slab, most recommendations suggest not to place anchors in the concrete closer than 8 inches to an edge or joint.

 

[CraigStu]

Thanks for the responces! Much appreciated! I also am wondering how close I could install the left hand post to the wall?

I'd say 2 feet minimum. Obviously you can go closer but getting down on your knees to place the arms is no fun in less.

 

[finn]

I'd say 2 feet minimum. Obviously you can go closer but getting down on your knees to place the arms is no fun in less.

The other issue with being too close to the wall is that it’s inconvenient to have to go all the way around the front in order to get to the right rear when the car is part way up. You really want 360 degree walking access all the time.

 

[Imatk]

You should check with the lift manufacturer's specs. They will generally give you a minimum distance from wall. Mine is 6 inches minimum.
As for being able to walk around it... yeah that's probably nice, but doesn't really cause that much issue. There's ample room to move on the side nearest the wall between the lift post and arms on mine. And when it's up on the lift it's not even a thing.

As for making it more narrow. Definitely check with the lift manufacturer. These things are engineered a certain way so if you go changing things it make make the lift unsafe. Not something you want to find out when under your car.

 

[TurnipTruck]

I'd say 2 feet minimum. Obviously you can go closer but getting down on your knees to place the arms is no fun in less.

The other issue with being too close to the wall is that it’s inconvenient to have to go all the way around the front in order to get to the right rear when the car is part way up. You really want 360 degree walking access all the time.

For my last shop, I found and bought a used 10k bendpak an hour after ordering trusses. I immediately thereafter called my truss guy and asked for scissor instead of flat bottom trusses for this end bay. In other words, I didn’t plan that building for a lift but was able to make it fit heightwise. Width wise it was an intolerable 18” from that sidewall. Two feet from the wall would have been usable.

I have four feet of room on my current lift.

 

[finn]

You should check with the lift manufacturer's specs. They will generally give you a minimum distance from wall. Mine is 6 inches minimum.
As for being able to walk around it... yeah that's probably nice, but doesn't really cause that much issue. There's ample room to move on the side nearest the wall between the lift post and arms on mine. And when it's up on the lift it's not even a thing.

As for making it more narrow. Definitely check with the lift manufacturer. These things are engineered a certain way so if you go changing things it make make the lift unsafe. Not something you want to find out when under your car.

Fully up, I agree, it’s not a real issue. Having to do the walk around when your truck is at a comfortable work height, say in the 3’ or 4’ range, ie for brake jobs, pulling axles, or suspension work is the issu.

Oll changes, exhaust work, etc…no problem.

I located the outer post on my 10k Bendpac asymmetric lift something like 24” or 28” from the wall, but the corner of the reservoir reduces clearance some. If I was doing the install again, I would add an additional 6” as a minimum.

 

[Imatk]

Eh... I mean yeah I'd like to have more room on that side, but again if space isn't a thing you can change (which was my case) you make it work.

I've done suspension, brakes on that side. Fortunately haven't had to pull an axle. I probably would have to resort to my floor jack and jackstands on the other side of the garage for that.

 

[zcar751]

Thanks for the responces! Much appreciated! I also am wondering how close I could install the left hand post to the wall?

I would start with how big is your waist? Just because the Mfg. says 12 inches is enough room doesn't mean my wide **** is squeaking through.

 

[like2wheel]

Mine is 18" & that's plenty for me. 5'11" 185lb. I can walk thru, or roll tires thru when rotating.
No issues setting the lift on that side, never even considered it could be a problem.

Someone will be along soon to say that you can't pull an axle on that side, which is total BS.

 

[CraigStu]

Yep, and so few cars have any kind of solid rear axle any more that it isn't much of an issue unless you are working on pickups. All of my lift experience is 25yrs as a dealer tech. We did tons of tire front to rear rotation and the vehicles varied from a Camry type to a big SUV so there was a lot of variation of lift arm placement. At one shop I only had about 18 inches to a chest high wall separating a wash bay. I begged to move to another lift but the work was probably different than the usual home diy stuff.

 

[u2slow]

Don't go too close to the wall or you lose the use of the wall.

Its better to be able to move something out of the way to pull and axle shaft or similar, that having to make a hole in the wall, or reposition the vehicle 180 degrees in the middle of a job.