Another 4 post question

[Brno8x57]

Searched and googled but didn’t find much. On a 4 post lift, is there any benefit to a longer lift? Longest wheelbase car I have is 40 inches less than the shortest lift bendbak and others make. If I have room should I get one that is about 2 feet longer? The cars that will spend 99% on the lift have 107 and 95 inch wheelbase. With the 95inch car I would be at 50% rating of the longer lift, car weight is 3000 so it should be okay.
Is it okay to have the front and body of car go past the end of the lift for shorter lifts?
BendPak salesperson was very nice and tried to help but didn’t have any solid answers.
Thanks

 

[astroracer]

As long as the vehicle weight doesn't exceed the load limit for the hoist there is no need to worry about any of it overhanging. The weight goes thru the tire patch, not the bumpers...
Mark

 

[Brno8x57]

Lol. I’m overthinking this. Thanks

 

[barnee]

Check the lift ratings as they change with where the load is placed on the ramps. With a longer lift the load will usually be farther from the posts for short cars and the ratings plummet.

 

[sleek98]

As Barnee said you actually want the shortest lift that covers the wheelbase of the car and not the overall length of the car. The lifts rating drops the farther you go into the center of the ramps. The closer the wheels are to the posts the better if you are close to the limit of the lift.

 

[ovilla]

What you really need to consider is where the horizontal columns (the ones that are in between the ramps that you drive on) will be in relation to your car. If you have a really long car, you may find that the front bumper may stick out past the outermost dimensions of the lift (which is fine from a lifting perspective) but may place the horizontal bar right under your radiator, AC compressor, water pump or oil pan.

With a four post it’s all about access to the bottom of the car. You ideally want the car to have the front bumper even with the outmost part of your lift so that you have totally unobstructed access to service your engine.

Also, do consider any other vehicles you might buy or work on someday. Hence a longer (and wider) lift will give you many more options for being able to work on extended trucks or old (and usually longer) cars.

I have a Bendpak HD9-B (standard length) and extra wide. I like not having to fold in mirrors as I pull in. If I had the space I definitely would have purchased the extra long lift too. Anyway, every now and then I do have to position long cars just a little bit more towards the back of my lift, so that I have unobstructed access below the engine.

 

[thickhead]

See pages 9 and 10 in this link for capacities by wheelbase on the HD-9 line of lifts.

http://www.bendpak.com/HD-9-Series-Manual-RevK-BendPak.pdf

 

[Brno8x57]

Good info. Longer one puts me at 50% for one of my cars but 75% for the one that will be on the lift the most. They weigh less than 4000 pounds so still under max rating. I would prefer 100% to be safe.

 

[Brno8x57]

Just ordered the BendPak HD-7W, now the wait and then figure out how to get it home.
Thanks for the tips

 

[bobabuee]

open car trailer or tow company with rollback then couple dollies, engine hoist
4 good saw horses. 2 is ok 3 is better able bodies, beer and food and about 12 hrs and your done. hardest and heaviest is the runways specially the one with cylinder.
columns lay on ground assemble and stand up in H raise cross beam to saw horse height then install runways remove, clean. polish pulleys and pins and install your cables and do rest and it will go smooth.

 

[Brno8x57]

Any tips on polishing the pulleys and pins

 

[bobabuee]

remove pins use some scotch bright then use some metal polish or compound you rub by hand or drill with polishing tip or buffer wheel it does not have to be done but but the lift moves so much smoother. clean pulleys no polishing.. everything is dirty from machining process. use pb blaster garage door lube on cables it does attract dust i thats what i use
on 3 lifts i installed they all work great.

 

[Brno8x57]

Appreciated. I’ll get some of the PB lube. I’ve got plenty of 10/2 wire and will look for a lock style plug and outlet. Some transmission oil today from walmart. All I need is the lift and a way to get it home