2 Post lift for 10' ceiling

[ymurf]

I thought I was sold on a Maxjax but just cant make up my mind. Whats do you guys recommend for a 2 post lift with 10' ceiling? Is maxjax still the way to go or should I get something a little heavier with a bit more lift height? Be lifting a 68 mustang,a 2001 f150 extended cab 4x4 and a 2005 chevy trailblazer. What do you guys think I should get that wont break the bank?

 

[rburke65]

Well no one here knows how big is your bank .....or for that matter where you live. Update your profile.

 

[77Mini]

I have a 10.5" ceiling in my garage and I just bought a Ben Pearson 2 post lift. The lift will go up into the attic space but I don't see that to be a big issue.

 

[RSwannabe]

I have a little less than 10' in my garage and went with a used Mohawk A7 I got off Craigslist. The benefit of Mohawk, aside from the battleship build quality and strength, is the dual hydraulic ram configuration means you only have hydraulic lines (not cables) run between them. You can custom cut the hydraulic lines to match your ceiling height.

 

[rsnip988]

I saw this and thought it would be pretty neat...
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200386167_200386167

Portable/storable, not too expensive, 2-post under 10'... Your F150 should be your heaviest at close to 5300# so it would meet that requirement also.

I'm pretty sold on a 4 post for my garage, but think I wouldn't mind getting one of these also for the 2nd or 3rd bay...

 

[ymurf]

Well no one here knows how big is your bank .....or for that matter where you live. Update your profil.

Updated. Looking for a lift for around $2000 to $2500.

 

[rconnon]

Updated. Looking for a lift for around $2000 to $2500.

I have 10' ceilings, and i have this lift - http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-BP8000

No Complaints and in your price range.

 

[ymurf]

I have 10' ceilings, and i have this lift - http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-BP8000

No Complaints and in your price range.

Got any pics of your lift in your garage in action?

 

[rconnon]

Here are a couple

 

[rsnip988]

Here are a couple

Probably a stupid question... but...
Are the boards under the tires just to help you position the car before lifting or what?

Thanks for the info on the lift also btw!

 

[rconnon]

Probably a stupid question... but...
Are the boards under the tires just to help you position the car before lifting or what?

No, the car is too low for the pads to get into position. So I had to build platforms to drive onto.

Once the lift was installed I did mark the floor with a center line to easily center /position vehicles on the lift.

 

[Falcon67]

This is the one I'm planning for, and I have 8' ceilings.

http://www.derekweaver.com/rodders-garage/2-post-lifts/weaver-w-9f-baseplate-2-post-auto-lift/

 

[INTMD8]

Is this turning into the awesome Porsche thread? Nice stuff guys! ^^^

Looking for a 993 c2 myself.

 

[ronr80]

I have 10-6 inches and have a full size Bend-Pak 4 post , 9000lbs , I have a few vettes and when lifted I can walk under them , but for a regular car or van , I can still service them but it's a little lower, but still works great

 

[rconnon]

This is the one I'm planning for, and I have 8' ceilings.

http://www.derekweaver.com/rodders-garage/2-post-lifts/weaver-w-9f-baseplate-2-post-auto-lift/

This lift from Derek Weaver is 9' 3". How do you plan to use that in your Garage with 8' ceilings?

 

[Falcon67]

This lift from Derek Weaver is 9' 3". How do you plan to use that in your Garage with 8' ceilings?

Cut up and reframe that area of the ceiling or just punch holes in it for the time being . it makes more sense and less $$$ in the long run than buying a 48" capable lift.

 

[rconnon]

Cut up and reframe that area of the ceiling or just punch holes in it for the time being . it makes more sense and less $$$ in the long run than buying a 48" capable lift.

Cool, would love to see the final result. I've thought about reframing above my lift to get more height and be able to take the car all the way up.

I envy the guys here with open beam or 12+ft ceiling clearance

BTW; i read your garage build thread, nicely done, its awesome.

 

[LuvAZ]

I'm on my third lift now (I've had a 4 post and a mid rise scissor lift). It's a 2 post BP8000 from Greg Smith Equipment. I picked it up & installed it in about a day w/a buddy & my cherry picker.

My garage ceiling height is close to 11', but this would easily work w/10'.

Best of all, it's less $ than a maxjax, and you can lift most cars higher on it.

I bought mine about 2 years ago and paid around $1400.

Here's some pics.

Let us know what you decide!

HTH,
Will

 

[HemiRamOn22s]

Most of the baseplate 8, 9, & 10,000 lb lifts from greg smith equiptment are less then 9'4" tall.

 

[Vet65te]

I've got a bit more ceiling height at 11' 6" but the only Greg Smith 2-post lift that 'might' fit without having to deal with the baseplates of the BP-8000 and BP-9000 is the 9KOH but it would just scrape by because it's adjustable to two settings, 11' 10" and 11' 6". To those of you with the baseplate type 2-post lifts, any regrets due to having that baseplate?
Mike T - Prescott AZ

 

[Falcon67]

Cool, would love to see the final result. I've thought about reframing above my lift to get more height and be able to take the car all the way up.

I envy the guys here with open beam or 12+ft ceiling clearance

BTW; i read your garage build thread, nicely done, its awesome.

Thanks. If I just "vault" the area where I'll put the lift, the underside of the ridge is about 11' 6". It'd be easy enough to change things enough to let the passenger compartment pass up into the space. The Falcon is still too "tall" to allow for a 6' guy to go under but enough clearance for even a work seat would be 100x better than jack stands. Especially for the Mustang - the hoop jumping and ground clearance needed to get ****** Super Comps on and off that car alone justify the purchase price. Just looks like it's not going to happen this year. Have to finish the new motor for the hot rod first. Unless "powerball" haha.

 

[LuvAZ]

I've got a bit more ceiling height at 11' 6" but the only Greg Smith 2-post lift that 'might' fit without having to deal with the baseplates of the BP-8000 and BP-9000 is the 9KOH but it would just scrape by because it's adjustable to two settings, 11' 10" and 11' 6". To those of you with the baseplate type 2-post lifts, any regrets due to having that baseplate?
Mike T - Prescott AZ

Mike,

NO regrets w/the baseplate lift.

For the work I primarily do (home hobbyist), it's the BEST of the 3 different types I've owned. Admittedly, I bought my 4 post as a storage/parking solution, and it served me well in that regard.

I have done clutch swaps/trans R&R w/the 2 post (baseplate), no problem!

For oil/filter & tire rotations/brake & suspension work, which I find are the most common uses for me, this is the BEST type of lift!

I really didn't like having to jack the car up AFTER it was on the 4 post so I could rotate tires or do a brake job.

HTH,
Will

 

[rburke65]

Yymurf, is your ceiling finished or could you place the posts between the ceiling members? If I had a choice I'd go with the "adult" 2 post rather than a Max Jack. As always, just my opinion.

 

[ymurf]

Yymurf, is your ceiling finished or could you place the posts between the ceiling members? If I had a choice I'd go with the "adult" 2 post rather than a Max Jack. As always, just my opinion.

Its a metal ceiling and blown in insulation above that.

 

[CarreraX]

Here are a couple

Ok, newbie with a few stupid questions. I am actually getting ready to buy a BP8000 from Greg smith (I think unless there is a better option). It is for my 993C4S. My area is a bit tight. It is in the 3rd bay of my garage and I need to raise the ceiling a bit. The ceiling isnt a big deal in this situation. Anyway, did you put the lift on the centerline of the 993 from front to back? Can you tell me how close you can get the car door to the upright and still get it open? My tight side is the drivers side and the 3rd bay is a single garage door and not allot of wiggle room to get the car to the right. My fear is the car will need to be too far to the right (pass side)and I may not physically be able to get it there. Thanks in advance! Mark

 

[jonjon1]

A friend of mine bought a 12ft lift used, it was a great price so he figured if it didnt work he would sell it for a profit..

well, he was about 4 1/2" too short, so he routed out the cement to make the bottom of the lifts legs flush and then he cut the ceiling sheetrock and notched a couple joists. It worked, I guess the joists arent hurt either because its resting on the lift, lol, he was going to make a header on each side but there is a bonsu room above his garage and he said it didnt even make the floor creek, so he left it...


I say where there is a will there is a way, and dont rule out a 2 floor plate unit, you can sink that plate if your cement is good enough and you wont know the difference.. but the assymetric 2 posts are really nice..

 

[rconnon]

Anyway, did you put the lift on the centerline of the 993 from front to back? Can you tell me how close you can get the car door to the upright and still get it open? Mark

Hey Mark

I'm not sure i understand the question. Are you asking whether the drive-thru of my lift is center to the garage door opening of my bay? Mine is also installed in a 3rd smaller bay.

The super symmetric arms of the BP8000 allow for the car to be positioned with proper center of gravity and still allow for me to open the doors and get in/out of the vehicle. I flipped the shorter 3-stage arms to the back and put the slightly longer 2-stage arms at the front to give a little more room for better positioning of the car and door swing room..

Do you have any pics you can share of the car parked in your garage and where the lift would go?

 

[CarreraX]

Hey Mark

I'm not sure i understand the question. Are you asking whether the drive-thru of my lift is center to the garage door opening of my bay? Mine is also installed in a 3rd smaller bay.

The super symmetric arms of the BP8000 allow for the car to be positioned with proper center of gravity and still allow for me to open the doors and get in/out of the vehicle. I flipped the shorter 3-stage arms to the back and put the slightly longer 2-stage arms at the front to give a little more room for better positioning of the car and door swing room..

Do you have any pics you can share of the car parked in your garage and where the lift would go?

The lift is considerably wider than the garage door. Maybe 30" or so from memory. Ill need to favor the lift to the right offset from the centerline of the garage door. This would mean the car will still be maybe a foot towards the left side of the lift because I cant get the car to the center (side to side). This means the car will be tight to the left side. did you happen to make the width of the uprights and narrower? The post on the pass side (my garage is opposite of yours) sits in line with the other garage door and it would be nice to narrow if up about a foot but Greg Smiths says you cant. Im pretty sure I can.

The other question was about location of the lift front to back in the garage. If I put the 911 where I want it (front to back) I think I should put the lift dead center between the wheelbase front to back right? Basically the center of the door. Nevermind, I looked at your pics and can see how you located yours. Ill do the same.

 

[rconnon]

The lift is considerably wider than the garage door. Maybe 30" or so from memory. Ill need to favor the lift to the right offset from the centerline of the garage door. This would mean the car will still be maybe a foot towards the left side of the lift because I cant get the car to the center (side to side). This means the car will be tight to the left side. did you happen to make the width of the uprights and narrower? The post on the pass side (my garage is opposite of yours) sits in line with the other garage door and it would be nice to narrow if up about a foot but Greg Smiths says you cant. Im pretty sure I can.

The other question was about location of the lift front to back in the garage. If I put the 911 where I want it (front to back) I think I should put the lift dead center between the wheelbase front to back right? Basically the center of the door. Nevermind, I looked at your pics and can see how you located yours. Ill do the same.

What i did when the lift arrived was stand the posts up, attach the arms and rough it into place (distance from edge of slab, centered where i wanted it, etc.) then drove the car between it to gauge rough placement, check rough arm swings, etc before leveling and drilling holes..

As for shortening the distance between the posts, i don't think that will work, you'd have to shorten the equalization cables amongst other things and a change like that would affect the arm swing ratios and you likely would no longer be able to hit the lift points on the car with the pad positions.

 

[ADCS]

Kind of related to this, how much of a pain would it be to install one of these shorter 2-posts in a bay that is only 16' wide (wall-to-wall). Also limited to just over 10' in height.

 

[Vet65te]

Adam - Sorta depends on which brand you're interested in but for a ballpark answer, the outside to outside dimension for the 9K Challenger and Atlas 2-Post lifts is around 12'. A Mohawk is less by about a foot, give or take. So if your actual inside wall to wall dimension is 16 feet and you center the lift, you're left with about 24" on either side.

 

[M-technik-3]

I am going with the Greg Smith lift. I have to go north o work on our lemons race car and when I do I'll pick mine up then. Nice thing is N.H. is a tax free state on sales tax. That will pay for the gas and beer for the weekend of wrenching.

 

[Vet65te]

LuvAZ - Thanks for the feedback, Will. I've got two neighbors with Atlas lifts and they are both satisfied. The BP8 or 9K lifts would work fine but since there's just that 'chance' I might be able to 'squeeze' the 11' 6" 9KOH lift in there I'm going to head to the neighbors place and get up on a ladder to verify that it will truly be no taller than 11' 6".
I liked the idea of no cables on the Mohawk but two drawbacks to that brand, one is the price with the entry level A-7 pushing past $5K and the other issue is the lift pads. I've got cars that are a bit low like the midyear Vettes that have factory side exhaust and I need the lift arms to be low enough to clear the side exhaust and then want to have the threaded pads so I can adjust them up near the frame. Most lift manufacturers offer them like these from Atlas-Greg Smith Equipment. http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/8-Piece-Double-Screw-Up-Adapter-Kit-1_2. Mohawk also offers than but they come with adapters that are too tall for my needs.

 

[Kevin54]

I have a WORTH 9,000lb lift, that is 9' tall, but I have scissor trusses on my 10' walls. I can lift my Dodge Ram up to where I can walk under the truck. The lift is made in the U.S. of A. down in Texas.