4 Post Lift Size Decision

[britcar]

I think I have read every thread pertaining to 4 post lifts on this forum. Thank you all for the valuable information and discussions! I am now well informed, and about ready to pick one for the shop.

I am considering the purchase of a 4 post (BendPak HD-9 series). Safety features and certification are the selling points for me.

Now it’s decision time for size.

The HD9 series has 2 lengths (162” ramps or 186” ramps) and 2 widths (90” between columns or 106” between columns) for 4 combinations.

Vehicle weight is not the issue.

The largest vehicle I plan on lifting is a 2002 Ford F150 pickup. It is a standard cab, 8 foot bed. Wheelbase is 138”. Body width is 78.3” (90” with mirrors) per the owner’s manual.

The “footprint” of the wider lifts (HD9 and HD9-XW) are CONSIDERABLY WIDER (about a foot and a half wider) than the narrower lifts (HD-ST and HD9-STX) and this is an issue for me. All my other vehicles (toys) are considerably smaller. I do not want to waste valuable shop space.

My questions:

1. Does anyone have experience with this size vehicle on the BendPak HD-9 series lifts?

2. What size lift did you choose?

3. Will the narrow, short lift do the job?

4. Or is this a case of trying to put “5 pounds of sand in a 1 pound bag”?

Cost is NOT an issue. The maximum price differential is only about $450. Space IS an issue.

Thanks in advance for constructive comments.

 

[tonyvlx]

I purchased the HD-9ST. Its great for cars but its a tight fit with mini-vans. for pick-up trucks id get the HD-9

 

[HIRISC]

Depends how space limited you are.

I have an HD-9 (wide version) at home. 16' double garage door on the left side. Lift is pinned to the left wall and there is enough room to get my wife's sedan on the 'other side'.

I'd advise the wider version if you can. The narrow version will give you just 6" or so on either side of the bed of your truck.. that is very tight.

The other thing to consider is the outside dimensions of the ramps. Narrow version is 37.25" between the 19" ramps or 75.25" outside. That's not wide enough if you ever buy a newer sports car - Z06, Viper, etc.. (and no, the lift arms have a triangulated support that won't allow you to just have an 1" or 2" of tire hanging over the edge - trust me).

I have a Z06 with 78" *** end and I wouldn't even attempt to fit it through the posts on the narrow one.

My $.02

 

[Question]

Standard HD9 handles both of these with no problem..

 

[Markgyver]

HIRISC- How much room is there between the wall and the ramp when its pined up against the wall. Can you work on the car in that area? I know its not ideal but how is it?

Question- How high are your ceilings?

 

[ovilla]

I have my Bendpak HD-9 (wide version) all the way against the right in the right most 3rd bay and it's in a perfect spot, with plenty of room to work on brakes/suspension from the passenger side too. As you can see, the 8' wide single bay door is actually narrower than the lift itself so from outside you don't even see the lift's columns, just the ramps. The lift columns are also taller than my door openings but that's fine since I can't use my lift outside due to a really inclined driveway. Anyway, if you can fit through the 8' wide door, you get to ride on the lift.

Once inside the garage and on the lift, I find that the wider set up is really nice as you'll never have to walk around the columns. They are so far apart that quite often you can even walk between the columns and the car. It also gives you more room when under the car itself. Finally, if I really need a lot of room on both sides, I just put the casters on and move the lift to the center bay.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: Keep in mind that the HD-9 allows for the adjustable ramp widths too (and the narrow versions do not). You'll definitely come to appreciate this flexibility, especially if you ever need to drop engines (which I've done with mine).

P.S. These are older pics as I've recently installed new doors with high lift kits so the doors are now inches away from the 10' ceilings.

 

[competition]

I too am making a similiar decision. I also have the direct lift 8s in the mix. Any advice which would help with the decision making process would be appreciated. The reason I am considering the 8s is for the sliding jack.

 

[HIRISC]

Standard HD9 handles both of these with no problem..

I agree, I would not be concerned about my 1st gen Camaro fitting on the std. HD-9 (outside of wheel to outside of wheel), but I'm not sure if it's possible to fit most widebody sports car (C6 Z06, Viper, 911 Turbo, Ford GT, etc.) on the standard HD-9 without either cutting the triangular supports (not) or driving over them.

There is enough room post to post, but the way BendPak supports the cross beams from the down posts, makes the outside dimensions of the ramps 75.25" (37.25 between ramps +19+19 ramp width) closer to the limiting factor for cars with very wide rear ends.

Can you measure the distance between the inside edges of triangulated lock housings on your standard (ST) width HD-9?

I think it's important to distinguish between 'fitting' and 'comfortably fitting'. Space allowing, it's always nice to have some extra width between the posts.

Standard HD-9 (ST) and a Ford GT = Cutting the triangulated lock housings:

 

[Kevin54]

The largest vehicle I plan on lifting is a 2002 Ford F150 pickup. It is a standard cab, 8 foot bed. Wheelbase is 138”. Body width is 78.3” (90” with mirrors) per the owner’s manual

No matter what the largest vehicle you plan on is, there will always be one larger show up at some point in time.

 

[HIRISC]

HIRISC- How much room is there between the wall and the ramp when its pined up against the wall. Can you work on the car in that area? I know its not ideal but how is it?

Question- How high are your ceilings?

I have 23" from the edge of the ramp to the wall. The base plate for the Bend Pak 4 posts is wider than the actual post, so the post won't be exactly against the wall.

I work in that space every week detailing my '69. I could easily get a wheel off and work on brakes if necessary.

The wider version wasn't optimal for me either - since I didn't plan ahead on the double-door side with a wider 18' or 20' door. I have a scissor lift on the single car (12' wide) side, and I have a Z06 that won't really fit on the standard width, so I squeezed in the HD-9 (wide). My wife has become very good at getting her car in next to it

Ceiling height is 10.5'. I have almost a foot of room above the Camaro.

 

[HIRISC]

I too am making a similiar decision. I also have the direct lift 8s in the mix. Any advice which would help with the decision making process would be appreciated. The reason I am considering the 8s is for the sliding jack.

Bend Pak makes several sliding bridge jacks. This is the most common one I've seen used on HD-9's:

http://www.bendpak.com/bendpak-products/4-post-bridge-jacks/RJ-45.aspx

Not mine - captej's from Corvette Forum. This picture also illustrates the HD-9 (wide) with the right (adjustable) ramp set to its outside width. The left ramp does not move (it houses the hydraulic cylinder).

 

[Question]

HIRISC- How much room is there between the wall and the ramp when its pined up against the wall. Can you work on the car in that area? I know its not ideal but how is it?

Question- How high are your ceilings?

My ceiling is 10'4" enough space for 2 55" tall cars, which is the normal mode.... When the truck is on there pushed to the ceiling its still comfortable to work under, but I'm 5'9" so might be a bit short for guys over 6'...

 

[lorne]

I'm going thorugh the same exact decision right now. Since Greg Smith just upped te price on the PP9+, I've decided to get an HD9.. My lift is going to be used mostly for storage, and my daily driver will constantly be in and out from under the lift. I'm concerned with the narrow version, that daily parking will be a pain. I can fit the wide version but saving the $450 would be fine with me if I knew I wouldn't have trouble parking under the lift regulary.

I'm actually going to look at someones HD9 today and will hopefully get a chance to test parking underneath it.

Lorne

 

[HIRISC]

I'm going thorugh the same exact decision right now. Since Greg Smith just upped te price on the PP9+, I've decided to get an HD9.. My lift is going to be used mostly for storage, and my daily driver will constantly be in and out from under the lift. I'm concerned with the narrow version, that daily parking will be a pain. I can fit the wide version but saving the $450 would be fine with me if I knew I wouldn't have trouble parking under the lift regulary.

I'm actually going to look at someones HD9 today and will hopefully get a chance to test parking underneath it.

Lorne

What are you parking under it Lorne?

 

[competition]

While bendpak sells a rolling jack it is twice as much $ as the direct lift sliding jack. It adds up when you would like to get two jacks. How do the bend pak and the direct lift 8s compare? Is it worth the extra $? Thanks for any insight.

 

[HIRISC]

I don't know anyone who has purchased 2 sliding jacks. They are pretty wide and two of them would limit your undercar access. Buy one, lift the first end - support on the ramps with jack stands, slide it to the other end, repeat

BTW, you can buy the RJ-45 which is air assisted, not hand pumped (ugh) like the direct lift, for about $1100 online.

It's more for sure, but it's a once in a lifetime buy.

Bend Pak HD-9 has a two locking system - one mechanical, one that is air assisted. To unlock the Bend Pak, you pneumatically disengage the 2nd lock.

Beyond this, I'll stay out of the Direct Lift vs Bend Pak war that can ensue. Direct lift is fine - price dependent.

My $.02

 

[lorne]

What are you parking under it Lorne?

Currently a 2009 Infinity G37 Sedan. On top will usually be a 03 Mustang Cobra Convertible. But during the summer I could see it being the other way around

 

[lorne]

I'll ask one more question since you brought it up. With regards to air, will my little 5HP-20gallon Craftsman be enough for the locks and a future sliding jack? The air requirement is one reason I keep thinking of another option. This is my home garage, I'm not sure if I want to alway keep the air compressor on and don't really want to have to wait for the compressor to fill up after I decide I want to lower the top car.

 

[Matti]

I've got an HD9 and it is wide and takes up a lot of garage space. I knew this before I purchased it and decided that it would be best as it does allow for easy parking underneath without having to worry about your mirrors too much. The sliding bridge jack only works in the narrow ramp position IIRC.

 

[HIRISC]

Currently a 2009 Infinity G37 Sedan. On top will usually be a 03 Mustang Cobra Convertible. But during the summer I could see it being the other way around

That sounds about right.

I'll ask one more question since you brought it up. With regards to air, will my little 5HP-20gallon Craftsman be enough for the locks and a future sliding jack? The air requirement is one reason I keep thinking of another option. This is my home garage, I'm not sure if I want to alway keep the air compressor on and don't really want to have to wait for the compressor to fill up after I decide I want to lower the top car.

More than enough oomph for the air locks. They require +/- 40lbs or so. I run mine with a $99 Sears special - takes 20 seconds to develop 40psi.

I just ordered my sliding jack, but I'll bet it requires little more.

 

[HIRISC]

I've got an HD9 and it is wide and takes up a lot of garage space. I knew this before I purchased it and decided that it would be best as it does allow for easy parking underneath without having to worry about your mirrors too much. The sliding bridge jack only works in the narrow ramp position IIRC.

The sliding bridge works in both narrow and wide settings on the Bend Pak HD-9. See the pic of the Z06 above with the sliding bridge jack with the ramps set 'out'. I think you might be thinking of the drip trays - those are only wide enough for the narrow setting.

Specs of the adjustable width RJ-45

* Lifting capacity: 4,500 lbs. / 2,041 kg
* Min width: 35" / 889 mm
* Max width: 46-1/2" / 1,181 mm
* Min pad & adapter: 8" / 203 mm
* Min pad only: 4-1/2" / 114 mm
* Max pad & adapter: 18" / 457 mm
* Max pad only: 14-1/2" / 368 mm
* Min arm reach: 40-1/4" / 1,022 mm
* Max arm reach: 63-1/4" / 1,607 mm
* Shipping weight: 305 lbs. / 139 kg
* Shipping dimensions: 36" x 22" x 21" / 914 mm x 559 mm x 533 mm

 

[mhm993]

Re is a small compressor sufficient, you could almost use a bicycle pump and be good to go. My old 2 gallon pancake compressor is overkill for air necessary to unlatch the bendpak. It comes up to pressure in about the time it takes to turn on the garage lights.

 

[brownbagg]

didnt bent pak have a kit to unlock he safety without a compressor

 

[HIRISC]

didnt bent pak have a kit to unlock he safety without a compressor

I don't think so, at least not on their 4 posts.

Their scissor (MD-6XP) has a simple mechanical safety - no air required.

 

[69CHARGERMD]

New to the forum. Great information here.
I am "researching" 4 post lifts as well. I think the BendPak HD-9 would be best for me.
Ceiling height is approx 10.25'
Hopeful this should be enough,,

My only question is the garage door and if will "clear" the car when it is on the lift. The garage door "tracks" sit about 2 feet down from the ceiling. Is this typically a problem.

Thanks,
Doug

 

[competition]

First, thank you all for your experience. I am not trying to start a Direct v. Bendpak thread, just trying to fiqure out which is best for may purposes. I would like to use the lift in my relatively small garage for storage and to prep a race car. That being said I thought 2 sliding lifts would best serve the prep purpose. I have never used a 4 post before so maybe I am mistaken. If all other things were equal i would probably purchase the Hd-9st. Can the direct sliding jacks be used on the bendpak? Any substantive advice would be much appreciated

 

[ixlr8]

didnt bent pak have a kit to unlock he safety without a compressor

Sort of, I believe it was a bottle to store some air pressure so you didn't have to turn on the compressor every time you wanted to run the locks.

Here is link to thread on bottle backup.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34627

 

[ghnl]

Welcome!

The garage door "tracks" sit about 2 feet down from the ceiling.

That might limit how high you can raise a car. You can install high lift tracks to put the door much closer to the ceiling. And, instead of the typical garage door opener hanging down in the middle of the bay you can get a jack shaft opener that mounts on the wall to either side of the door.

 

[HIRISC]

New to the forum. Great information here.
I am "researching" 4 post lifts as well. I think the BendPak HD-9 would be best for me.
Ceiling height is approx 10.25'
Hopeful this should be enough,,

My only question is the garage door and if will "clear" the car when it is on the lift. The garage door "tracks" sit about 2 feet down from the ceiling. Is this typically a problem.

Thanks,
Doug

Hi Doug,

Cool cars.

In addition to ghnl's tips, you could back up the upper car on the lift - hoods are typically lower than trunks. See my picture above.

Your Plymouth's are a little taller than my cars, so be sure to do the math to see if you've got enough room before you hit the ceiling (or the door).

The lower car height will determine the lowest lock height (every 4" in the HD series) you can use. Take that lock height + 5" for the ramp thickness + upper car height + 2" or so to get the upper car off the top mechanical locks. That's your bare minimum ceiling height.

IMO, you should have enough, but better to measure before you buy.

Good luck.

 

[69CHARGERMD]

The lower car height will determine the lowest lock height (every 4" in the HD series) you can use. Take that lock height + 5" for the ramp thickness + upper car height + 2" or so to get the upper car off the top mechanical locks. That's your bare minimum ceiling height.

I measured the Charger height,,,,it is approx 58"

Sounds like i will have to have the lowest lock height at 60" (since it is every 4")

60" + 5" + upper car height + 2" = bare minimum ceiling height.

My ceiling is 123" tall,,,,,

Still have to measure the Belvedere ( it's up on jacks right now,,,with the motor/trans out,,,motor getting re-done )

Sounds like the Belvedere needs to be around 56" or less to fit both cars on/under the lift....but i am willing to be it is at least as tall as the Charger,,,ie,,,around 58"

Wondering if i should think about having the ceiling "notched",,,to allow for a bit more room.***************************

HIRISC: Very helpful info you posted,,,I appreciate it. I wouldnt have realized the deck thickness,,,and the fact the lift locks in 4" increments....Thank you..... (ps,,,sweet Yenko)

You can install high lift tracks to put the door much closer to the ceiling. And, instead of the typical garage door opener hanging down in the middle of the bay you can get a jack shaft opener

GHNL.....I rechecked,,,,the tracks are about 1 foot down,,,,I was curious how people were clearing the tracks. I suspect i'll know more when i have the car up in the air. Might have to check with some local garage door suppliers to see what options i have....
I am hoping i can have the lift off to one side,,,enough to not come into contact or interfere with the door opener....


THANKS GUYS,,,,

Doug

 

[69CHARGERMD]

Anyone with some shots of their ceiling "notched" or modified to allow more room. I might try and search the forum and see if i can find something.

 

[HIRISC]

I measured the Charger height,,,,it is approx 58"

Sounds like i will have to have the lowest lock height at 60" (since it is every 4")

60" + 5" + upper car height + 2" = bare minimum ceiling height.

My ceiling is 123" tall,,,,,

Still have to measure the Belvedere ( it's up on jacks right now,,,with the motor/trans out,,,motor getting re-done )

Sounds like the Belvedere needs to be around 56" or less to fit both cars on/under the lift....but i am willing to be it is at least as tall as the Charger,,,ie,,,around 58"

Wondering if i should think about having the ceiling "notched",,,to allow for a bit more room.***************************

HIRISC: Very helpful info you posted,,,I appreciate it. I wouldnt have realized the deck thickness,,,and the fact the lift locks in 4" increments....Thank you..... (ps,,,sweet Yenko)

THANKS GUYS,,,,

Doug

Hey Doug,

One thing that I should have been more clear on - the lock heights are 4" increments, but not from the bottom.

Edit -

These lifts use a floating ladder system for the mechanical safety that gives you about 2" of total height adjust for leveling the ramps. My lift points start about 22.25" off the base plate or 22 1/2" off the ground. I'm using very little of the ladder/cable bolts as you can see by the pictures below. You might be able to use some of that if you're very close to 'the next lock height'.

For a point of reference, my lift is sitting on my the lock at 58.25" and the bottom of the ramps is at 52.75". My next lock would put my ramps at 54.75" with another 1.25 inches or so if I maxed out the ladder adjustment.

You can see 'up' the lock mechanism and the ladder/cable (for lifting) adjustment bolts below.

LMK if I can help further.

 

[slowTA]

Go wide! I was on the fence too when I bought my HD-9, but decided that my car would 'just' barely fit with the ramps in the narrow position. In the wide position you have some extra room to put the car on a little crooked if you're in a hurry/lazy. Otherwise you have to be dead on and risk having a wheel hang off the edge.

Any air compressor should release the locks just fine, it take very little air to work.

The only part that ***** about getting the wide version is that the jack bridge is more expensive since it is adjustable. They don't make a non-adjustable version for the wide setting... someone should!

I wouldn't get 2 rolling jacks. Each one sticks up above the runways by 4"+ so keeping one at the front would limit the cars you can drive on. Sliding them both to the back is an option, but that takes up a bunch of room.

I do find it odd that they make the whole lift 16" wider but only move the runways 7" apart. I guess they have their reasons.

 

[cletus66]

Anyone with some shots of their ceiling "notched" or modified to allow more room. I might try and search the forum and see if i can find something.

X2 !!! My shop has 10 foot ceilings, and I was considering doing this for clearance. Some pics would be great.

 

[69CHARGERMD]

HIRISC,,,,Thanks again,,,,very nice of you to post the info and pic's. Sounds like you know that lift very well.
I am going with a HD9.

I am going to look into modifying the ceiling,, to have enough height,,,and be able to store both cars above and below the lift. ...this way i can convince the wife I need another car since i'll have more space "next" to the lift,,,lol
Doug

 

[Chris05gto]

Depends how space limited you are.

I have an HD-9 (wide version) at home. 16' double garage door on the left side. Lift is pinned to the left wall and there is enough room to get my wife's sedan on the 'other side'.

I'd advise the wider version if you can. The narrow version will give you just 6" or so on either side of the bed of your truck.. that is very tight.

The other thing to consider is the outside dimensions of the ramps. Narrow version is 37.25" between the 19" ramps or 75.25" outside. That's not wide enough if you ever buy a newer sports car - Z06, Viper, etc.. (and no, the lift arms have a triangulated support that won't allow you to just have an 1" or 2" of tire hanging over the edge - trust me).

I have a Z06 with 78" *** end and I wouldn't even attempt to fit it through the posts on the narrow one.

My $.02

Thanks for this info, I am also trying to decide on which Bend Pak. I will be parking a 05 GTO on top and a G8 under.How high are your ceilings? Thanks, Chris

 

[britcar]

Thanks for all the comments!

Special thanks to: tonyvlx, HIRISC, Question, ovilla, Kevin54, Matti and slowTA.

Looks like it will be a wide lift.

And now some more questions:

For Question. (Nice photos) Do you know the wheelbase of your Chevy pickup sitting on your HD-9 (standard ramp length)?

For all: I note that 110 VAC or 220 VAC pump motors are available. I do have 220 VAC in the shop, but I’d not like to make a 220 VAC cord set solely to run the lift. Having said that, is anyone powering their lift on 110 VAC? Are you happy with the performance? In retrospect, would you opt for the 220 VAC motor instead?

Once again, THANKS!

 

[HIRISC]

HIRISC,,,,Thanks again,,,,very nice of you to post the info and pic's. Sounds like you know that lift very well.
I am going with a HD9.

I am going to look into modifying the ceiling,, to have enough height,,,and be able to store both cars above and below the lift. ...this way i can convince the wife I need another car since i'll have more space "next" to the lift,,,lol
Doug

Happy to help.. I got a lot of help from both GF and the Corvette Forum when I was looking. That was invaluable.

I like your strategy - hopefully your wife will to!

 

[HIRISC]

Thanks for all the comments!

Special thanks to: tonyvlx, HIRISC, Question, ovilla, Kevin54, Matti and slowTA.

Looks like it will be a wide lift.

For all: I note that 110 VAC or 220 VAC pump motors are available. I do have 220 VAC in the shop, but I’d not like to make a 220 VAC cord set solely to run the lift. Having said that, is anyone powering their lift on 110 VAC? Are you happy with the performance? In retrospect, would you opt for the 220 VAC motor instead?

Once again, THANKS!

My HD-9 at home is 110v. I didn't have a 230v outlet at the time so I special ordered it.

It lifts in about 55 seconds vs about 30 seconds for the 230v. I'm perfectly happy with the performance and versatility of the 110v.

I'm building a workshop with four 230v outlets and that location with have 230v because of where the lift will be. If I buy a 2nd lift for the shop, it will likely be a 110v because I may move that particular lift around.

Bottom line, I would have no reservations buying another 110v.. I think it's plenty fast for most users.

FWIW, if you go 230v it needs a 30 amp circuit.

Here's the corner where my shop HD-9 will go - not the outlets up at 100":

 

[HIRISC]

Thanks for this info, I am also trying to decide on which Bend Pak. I will be parking a 05 GTO on top and a G8 under.How high are your ceilings? Thanks, Chris

Happy to help.. I'm a Bend Pak fan as you can tell

My ceiling is 10' 6"

LMK if I can answer any q's.