4 post or 2 post lift?

[mdshore348]

looking for answers from people with experience with both. i love the idea that you can move the 4 post into other places of the shop(do they make a moveable 2 post?) and the 4 post can store a car without suspending the tires in mid air...
but it seems to me the two post is easier to work under ....

i plan to do light mechanical, car restorations / body work . use to lift car to clean under as well.

ok opinions please

 

[kartracer55]

I dont have any but I use both almost daily. Each has thier advantages and disadvantages.

The one great thing about 2 post is the accessability. A 4 post lift is nice because you can get some nice toys like air jacks and oil pans that roll along the inside, making life a bit easier. One thing I really like abou 4 posts is that the sides double as a worksurface. If I had a choice, it would be a 4 post, but thats just me.

Jim

 

[Waggy]

I have a 2 post and I like it. It would be nice to be able to move the unit around, but I do believe I have better access to the under side of the car with a 2 post. The ramp of a 4 post may be great for tools but how is it for working on the wheels or droping a transmission, change a muffer? If the wheels are hanging, the tires are easy to take off!

 

[ron thompson]

I'm ready to get a lift too and have the same questions. Access under the car is better with the 2 post and it's cheaper. The things I do under a car really work better with the car on all 4 wheels with the suspension loaded. I have a friend with a 4 post and loves it and that's what I'm going with.

 

[autoist]

I like my 4 post...next project is to build a ramp in front of it so I can store 3 MG Midgets over the line of cars in the photo.

 

[OldCarGuy]

Presently I own five 4 four post lifts and want to add another one to my collection just for working on my cars,,,, again. I have considered an asymmetrical 2 post in the past; but have always opted for the 4 post design. While the 2 post gives a clearer access to the underside of the car and makes brakes and suspension work easier, I feel far safer under a 4 post. And if I work on brakes or suspensions I just use a bridge between the ramps with jack stands. The other negative factor in a 2 post is that you may not be able to open car doors and not being practical with some of the older cars I work on. Most likely I’ll choose the 4 post and may consider purchasing the rolling air jack.

 

[mdshore348]

a postive thing is that your able to store your car with a loaded suspension too.

 

[Steve_S]

2-post lifts aren't very good for storage. The suspension hangs down for long periods and it will drip oil on anything you park below it. However a 2-post lift is much better for maintenance as it allows unrestricted underbody access.

My choice is a single post lift, but if I were deciding betewen 2 and 4-post I personally would choose a 4-post. If you need to do suspension work on a 4-post lift you can use jack trays.

 

[79rallysport]

I've seen 2-post lifts with arms that cradle the wheels instead of the pads. Kind of like those "Go-jacks" do only on the end of the arms. In effect, they chock all four wheels on the front and back of the tire. That way, when it lifts, the suspension remains loaded. I'm not sure what company makes them or where to buy them.

 

[muddy]

I would go the 2 post route.......as a matter of fact I will be going the two post route when the time comes. I have the option for both at work but the four post seems too congested and I'm not looking for storage on a lift. Besides, so many of these cars these days the engine drops out the bottom with subframe and can't see that working with a four post too good........ Keith

 

[mikeyr]

The 4post has good access to the underneath of the car, not sure why people say it does not, I pulled the gearbox on my Toyota 4x4 on my 4post and I just pulled the gearbox on my Dino on it as well, plenty of access from underneath. I have also done exhaust work on several cars. The only time the ramps get in the way is when you are doing suspension or brake work, hopefully you do that right the first time and don't need to keep doing the brakes so with a rolling jack bridge its not a problem to do suspension/brake work the once a year you need to bleed the brakes.

As far as moving the lift, I suppose its nice to be able to but in 6 years, I have not moved my lift. I did the first weekend because well, I could but now the casters are outside in a storage shed, being able to move it is a really minor convinience that I no longer believe is worth the few hundred dollars in casters.

Another thing to think about is where you live, here in the Republic of Santa Barbara, a 2post lift requires a building permit because it is permanentely bolted to the slab and a 4post requires nothing (unless its bolted down), don't know if any other places are like that.

 

[Old Moparz]

The biggest factor in choosing a 2 or 4 post is to decide what you will be using your lift for, & how often. I have a pair of 4 post lifts, & one is dedicated for storage only. I plan on using my other one for work, & occasionally storing a car. The work I will do on my own cars will hardly ever require the suspension, brakes & wheels to be in the air frequently, so a 4 post is adequate. If & when I need to do that work, I'll just jack the car up on the floor.

Keep in mind that the ceiling height needed for the 2 post is higher, & even higher than the top of a vehicle on a 4 post in it's highest position. I do move lift around since some of the cars I have don't move under their own power. I can also line up the vehicle with the above chain hoist while it's on the lift. The chain hoist is mounted on a trolley that rides a fixed I-Beam which is part of the building Using the casters to move the lifts were a factor in my purchase decision.

 

[mdshore348]

factors im considering in my decision . the area where i am considering the 2 post permanent mount ,may also be an area where i will want to work on boats, 8 1/2 ft wide + .and the 4 post is moveable . but mostly the lift would be for gaining access to tinker/clean/inspect under the car, change oil, rotate tires, store the car , work on brakes. maybe might be brave enough to drop the engine one day if needed. i would also like to use the lift for doing body work, spraying rockers, removing bumpers etc etc. might get a car to restore too . maybe a custom car.

 

[mdshore348]

how high can a 4 post go ? cani get one to go 8ft high? my ceiling is 15ft high.

 

[fireman]

I've had my 4 post lift for over 5 years. I looked into a 2 post but the advantages of a 4 post are many. You don't have to have a 6" concrete slab, you can store a car under it without the suspension hanging free (it will ruin the bushings if you do), you don't bang your doors on the lift getting in and out, it's movable (I prefer to roll mine out in the driveway if I do much welding or pressure washing the underside). I've R&R'd several transmissions and rear ends as well as lots of exhaust work and the lift is NOT in the way. I do have a jacking bridge for brake work. If I'm going to rotate tires, I lift the car, put jack stands under the suspension and lower the lift. Takes less the a minute. I almost forgot, the car is way more steady on a 4 post vs. a 2 post.

 

[mdshore348]

im getting convinced the 4 post is so much more versatile the cons are little compared to the pros over the 2 post

 

[krooser]

If you are going to WORK on your car, a two post is handier...look at what your local service shops use...mostly two post..I have an old Weaver 9000# that works great...I would buy a four post for storage and occasional maintenance work.

An assymettrical lift solves the door opening problems...mine is symettrical and I have no problems with access...

4" of 3500# concrete is all that's needed to mount a two post...mine's been there several years with no problems...my old dealership's lifts were also on 4"....

 

[fireman]

im getting convinced the 4 post is so much more versatile the cons are little compared to the pros over the 2 post

Wise decision

 

[NSXSOON]

In truth both have there advantages and disadvantages. Right now I have a 2 post Challenger Versimetric lift because I work on imports and EVERYTHING is removed from below. That said I will be adding a 4 post to use for storage as it's main purpose. If you have the room both is the way to go!

 

[6t7gto]

here's a link to my four post lift.
i pulled the complete drive train and frame out from under my car using my four post.
notice in the 4th pic, the cement blocks. i would lower the lift and the car sat on the block. then the lift was completely out of the way.

http://216.178.81.108/forums/showthread.php?t=435768&page=2&highlight=***********

david

 

[krooser]

The fact is any lift is better than none....there are tons fo guys who would give anything to have ANY lift.

I kinda prioritized my tools and projects choosing to buy the tools FIRST...then start working on the projects. Makes things a whole lot easier when you finally get to 'em.

In '67 I worked the lube rack at Humphrey Chevrolet in Milwaukee. I got assigned a two post that was RECESSED into the ground in order to clear the sidepipes on Corvettes.

Seems every new guy got that lift...guys couldn't wait to move to another stall.

Seems I got every Corvette that came into the shop for an oil change or warranty work.

I am still scarred by the experience...

 

[Quadlinear]

Well I have both a 4 post and a 2 post. Most of the advantages and disadvanteges have been identified already. If I did anything different today.. I be sure the 2 post was an axisymetric type to make the doors easy to manage. I may add a second 2 post and it will be of that type.

Quadlinear AKA Alan
Cincinnati

 

[mangomadness]

I just ordered a four post for my shop. I was planning on a two post when i first built it but like the idea that it does not need to be bolted down and can be moved.
if anyone is looking for a lift check these guys out. Built in USA!!
http://allamericanlifts.50megs.com/

 

[6t7gto]

Mango,
that lift is very similar to the Backyard Buddy, which i have.
i also have a direct lift. picked it up for $900.00.
big diff in the quality of the lifts.
BB is very rigid and i will use the BB for service and maintenace on my cars.
the DL scares me. i just use it for storage.
everything All-American says on their website is true by my experience.
i'm not impressed by the locking mechanism on the DL and it does wobble a lot.
david

 

[mikeyr]

hmm, that is opposite of my experience, I found my friends Backyard Buddy sways a lot more than my PerfectPark, I agree the Backyard Buddy seems better built and is completely totally safe but the way it moves around when I am under the car just does not feel good. The PerfectPark is rock solid.

 

[krooser]

My two post never sways...here we go again!!!!!!

 

[mikeyr]

My two post never sways...here we go again!!!!!!

We are talking 4-posts here ! 2posts better not sway the way they are bolted down. And by the way, I like 4posts but I use my friends 2posts also, best of both worlds, I have 4, next door neighbor has 2, we share.