2 post vs. 4 post lifts

[Vicegrip]

Mike, that is something he welded up himself & which I will be duplicating this summer when I get my welder. He posted details probably about a year or so ago if you want to look for the post. Mohawk makes something like that for my lift but it is very expensive (1400.00).

What he said. ^^^

I don't have a lift at home. But have used lifts for many years at the dealers. If i were to purchase one for the house it would be a 4-post. If you go to any dealer and ask which lift a car has fallen off of and it is a 2-post. On full frame cars and trucks you have to be very careful and watch the arms for sliding(kicking out). Also pulling transmissions/transfercases might be impossible with some 2-posts because the trans jack can't go back far enough bacause of the crossover plate of the lift. The 4-posts are nice for brake jobs, you can lay the parts and tools right on the deck. Also you drive right on and raise it up, don't have to waste time getting the car centered and putting the arms under.For checking noises(suspension) the car can be bounced with the weight on it. My cars sit very low, I would be unable to get arms under the frames. Ramps would have to be used to get on a 4-post also.

If I worked on more front wheel drive and some late model vehicles that had to have the drivetrain dropped out the bottom, the 2-post would be the better choice.

Part in bold is backwards IMO. Pulling a trans on a 4 post is a pain in the ****.
Any time you did not spend setting the arms on a 2 post will be spent setting up the jacks under the car to lift off the deck to do the brakes.

Cars fall off lifts when knuckle heads don't take minimal care.

 

[walrus]

I don't know if this been mentioned but a 4 post lift takes up alot of room compared to a 2 post

 

[Nugent1021]

I don't know if this been mentioned but a 4 post lift takes up alot of room compared to a 2 post

Yeah. I think that's why I'm probably getting a 2-post lift. I have a son and another on the way, so in that way a 4 post may be a bit more safe I guess.



I checked Dannmar (regarding their features) and they don't clarify the differences between the BendPak and Dannmar either. I think you're right, HIRISC, about the service issue. If I can't get ahold of them to buy one/ask questions, then how difficult will it be to fix any trouble.

 

[walrus]

I prefer Rotary over any other brand. I've installed a ton of their below ground lifts but only a few of their above ground lifts. Both are good quality and parts are available .

Does anyone like below ground lifts anymore? Too much liability with the oil in the ground?, too expensive to install?When I first started installs that all there were(does that date me).