2 post vs. 4 post lifts

[hrlychrly1]

I built an additional garage 2 years ago, 1 bay 24' deep x 15' wide, w/ an additional bay on a 45* angle w/ the first, 30' deep x 15' wide w/ a 15' high scissor truss ceiling height. I'm building a '34 chevy coupe from the ground up, which is on skates right now, and just bought a '70 RS camaro that recently had a resto done.

When i built the garage, i had settled on installing a 2 post lift, as it offered the most access to working on any part of the car, esp. the drivetrain and suspension. I didn't feel like i needed the parking above aspect of a 4 post. But, that was before i got the bright idea to acquire the camaro, which i can tool around in now while i build the '34. Of course, i can see down the road maybe upgrading the camaro's suspension, and brakes to more modern pieces.

So, now i have a 2 car garage w/ a pie shaped extra sq. footage, for a '34, the '70, and my daily driver Civic. Wait, let's not forget the Harley. Right now, the '34 is on skates sitting in the pie shape area between the bays. Harley right next to it. Civic in 1 bay, camaro in the other.

Now, i could use the 4 post, but i think a 4 post would be a real pain to work on. Topside work would be ok, but suspension, brake, exhaust, anything underneath would be a pain having to work around the runways.

Looking for some thoughts from guys that have a 4 post, and actually work on their cars. Also, am open for any thoughts or suggestions about keeping the idea of the 2 post, although i'm not sure storing a car on a 2 post is a good idea.

 

[torquepower85]

if you can get it, i would get a 4-post with bridge jacks. that way you have a good storage lift, and when the time comes to do brakes/wheels you just raise it off the runways with the bridge jacks.

rolling bridge jack

good luck with whatever you go with.

 

[Chevy-SS]

I'm a 'car guy' and hot rodder and began my working career as a full-time mechanic. I eventually owned two full-service stations, back in the 70's and 80's. We never had any 4-post lifts. I worked in a lot of other shops and never saw a 4-post lift. The 2-poster offers easier access to everything.

However, I will say that I about to start building a garage addition onto a house I am buying. For this new garage, I will most definitely be using a 4-post lift.

Here's my take, if you're gonna be working on your cars all the time, the 2-poster might be better. But for personal use, and storage of vehicles, then the 4-poster makes a lot of sense. I am getting a BendPak 4-post left and I am gonna use their RJ-45 rolling bridge jack.

Like everything in life, there's pros and cons to both. Good luck in your final choice!

Dave

 

[dmeadow]

I've had both and I MUCH prefer the two post for working on cars, though I managed with a four post. I certainly liked the four post better than jackstands and a creeper! Do some searching on this topic, you'll find lots of information and opinions.

 

[davesnothere]

If I had to pick one, 2 post. They're so much more versatile. 4 posts are nice for easy stuff, LOF's and whatnot, drive on, giterdone, drive off, etc. One of each would be ideal.

 

[hrlychrly1]

i can see the pros and cons of both. W/ the 2 post, i could put 1 car on skates and push it into the pie shaped area, manuevering around the lift. W/ the 4 post, you gain floor space, but working on cars and having to work around the runways has to be a pain in the ***. Either way, you have to move a car to drive the other, depending on which car is where.

I know the answer. I need to hit the powerball, go build a new house, w/ the required 3 bays attached, and then another detached w/ room for about 6-8 cars, w/ 1 main overhead door, w/ room for the service 2 post lift and as many 4 post lifts as required for the rest of the collection. OK, already have 2 more weeks of tickets, so i should be good to go.

 

[loosewingnut]

When wrenching, I hated working on the 4 post lifts. I would avoid it at all costs. It makes it harder to access many areas of the car, much more of a pain to do tires and brakes. I also hate the cross supports in the front and back. They don't seem that big, yet their gravity is enormous and always seem to attract your head into them. It always seems like you have to duck a lot more using them. For parking, the 4 post would be easier since you can just drive on with no stooping down, but it is also pretty easy to rack camaros too. The 2 posts have locks so it should be as safe as a 4 post.

I would pick a 2 post all the way.

 

[shampoop]

+1 on what's been said.

4 post for storage

2 post for working on cars.

I especially hate doing brake/suspension/rotates on 4 post lifts. Plus very low cars can be a big hassle to get on there.