4-post lift accessories

[lis]

I've finally decided to purchase a 4-post lift (Bend-pak HD-9XW). It'll be used mostly for storage, but I intend to use it for repairs/maintenance and possibly restoration as well.

The possibilities are:
- rolling jack(s)
- jack tray(s)
- solid deck
- casters

What I'm thinking is that I can get by with one rolling jack and one jack tray. These will allow me the most flexibility for working on my cars suspension/brakes- without breaking the bank. The solid deck would be nice for storing any extra "stuff", as well as keeping the drips off of the car below. Casters are probably the least useful to me, as I don't have a whole lot of room to move the lift anyway.

What do you all think are the most useful add-ons for a 4-post?

Thanks!
Larry

 

[shopking68]

Does it have the jack in the middle part? That way you can lift the whole car off the lift and change tires and stuff.

 

[cloper91]

A rolling jack would be the most useful item hands down in my opinion.

 

[Rothaus]

I finally made my decision and got me a 4 post lift from Greg Smith Equipment, I have the Direct lift as a combo deal. Included are the casters, 3 drip pans, a jack tray, and 2 hydraulic jacks.

Here is the link how they have it in Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-...emQQcategoryZ43998QQihZ020QQitemZ300017346444

It was $200 for shipping.

And here is how it looks in my garage.

I assembled it in about 6 hours with all the adjustments etc. all by my self. And then I modified the garage door, so it opens on an angle.

Cheers

 

[cc_rider]

The rolling jack is really cool, but $$$. My plan is to get the drip pans, one or two jack trays, and use bottle or screw jacks when I need to go wheels-up. I'm planning to get casters too, since two of my project vehicles BARELY fit in the garage; I'll have to turn them sideways when I do any major work on them.

The other high priority item is the oil catch can with the long neck. Love those things.

c.

 

[LSWHO]

I've finally decided to purchase a 4-post lift (Bend-pak HD-9XW). It'll be used mostly for storage, but I intend to use it for repairs/maintenance and possibly restoration as well.

The possibilities are:
- rolling jack(s)
- jack tray(s)
- solid deck
- casters

What I'm thinking is that I can get by with one rolling jack and one jack tray. These will allow me the most flexibility for working on my cars suspension/brakes- without breaking the bank. The solid deck would be nice for storing any extra "stuff", as well as keeping the drips off of the car below. Casters are probably the least useful to me, as I don't have a whole lot of room to move the lift anyway.

What do you all think are the most useful add-ons for a 4-post?

Thanks!
Larry

Not sure what cost you are paying but I found this one that includes some of the options on the one you are looking at. Here it is:

This auction is for 1 AmericanProducts SS7000 4 Post Service/Storage Lift. This item is brand new!

The SS7000 comes fully loaded with the following options at no additional cost:

1 SET OF (4) CASTERS

3 DRIP TRAYS

1 JACK TRAY

AmericanProducts Model SS7000 Service Storage lift

7000 lb lifting capacity
Ultra safe completely enclosed carriages
Aircraft quality cables rated at 14,500 lbs each
Your choice of 110v or 220v power unit
Single Point Safety Release
Oversized 3" cylinder is located safely underneath one runway
Each runway utilizes 3/16" steel runways to prevent sag

 

[OldCarGuy]

I own 5 four-post lifts. Four of which I mainly use for car storage, and one I use for working on cars before I purchase a two-post lift. I have one set of wheels that hardly ever get used. But can be very handy to move the lift around, even with a car on it, lowered of course.

I have two moveable jack trays to place stands under axles when working on brakes or rebuilding front ends. A solid deck will make the lift useless unless it was removable. I have six drip pans and detachable plastic “diapers” to protect cars on the floor.

Make sure you purchase aluminum ramps. You wouldn’t believe how heavy 30” ramps become, and the older you get the more you will appreciate this tip.

 

[LSWHO]

I finally made my decision and got me a 4 post lift from Greg Smith Equipment, I have the Direct lift as a combo deal. Included are the casters, 3 drip pans, a jack tray, and 2 hydraulic jacks.

Here is the link how they have it in Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-...emQQcategoryZ43998QQihZ020QQitemZ300017346444

It was $200 for shipping.

And here is how it looks in my garage.

I assembled it in about 6 hours with all the adjustments etc. all by my self. And then I modified the garage door, so it opens on an angle.

Cheers

Did you have to get a new door opener when you changed the angle of the door/angle iron?

 

[lis]

Thanks for all the replies!

Sounds like the rolling jack and/or jack trays are a must. I'll probably stick with my plan for one of each.

The solid deck that Bend-pak sells is in 3 removable sections (100 lbs each), so it's not permanent- but not a trivial changeover either. The fact is- I'll probably have a car up there most of the time, so the deck would only be an expensive drip tray.

A couple of people mentioned drip trays. Do I really need the fancy trays that they sell- or can I use something else that does the same thing?

Aluminum approach ramps are a good idea (thanks OldCarGuy), I'll have to see what they cost. A long-neck oil catch can is also on the list (thanks for the reminder cc_rider).

Any other thoughts?

Thanks again for the help!

-Larry

 

[mikeyr]

Aluminum approach ramps are a good idea (thanks OldCarGuy), I'll have to see what they cost. A long-neck oil catch can is also on the list (thanks for the reminder cc_rider).

Don't look at the cost, whatever they cost is worth it, unless you have a really big next door neighbor who does not mind the heavy lifting, they are worth it.

 

[Stuart in MN]

A couple of people mentioned drip trays. Do I really need the fancy trays that they sell- or can I use something else that does the same thing?
-Larry

On the lift in my garage, I used some pieces of 1/2" plywood to span between the two sides, and then on top of them I use a couple of those flat drip pans you buy at the auto parts store. Works fine.

 

[JohnZ]

Trust me - you will NOT like the standard steel ramps; get the aluminum ramps.

 

[Rothaus]

Did you have to get a new door opener when you changed the angle of the door/angle iron?

I used the existing opener.

1. I cut out a piece of the bowed track
2. adjusted the horizontal track to the angle I needed to get the clearance
3. cut off a straight piece from the end of the straight track
4. insert it between the cuts in the bow
5. same steps on other side
6. raised the mounting of the motor. The other end of the chain, where it mounts above the door has a joint, so it can be moved up or down.


Cheers

 

[fireman]

Trust me - you will NOT like the standard steel ramps; get the aluminum ramps.

This should be your first option above all others.