Bendpak HD-7P users?

[E30 Racer]

After years of deferral, I think I've finally decided on my garage lift configuration. I should (barely) be able to install a Grand Prix GP-7 2-post on the left, and a Bendpak HD-7P 4-post on the right. The two-post will be used to perform basic vehicle work, while the 4-post will be used primarily for storage.

My question has to do with the drive-through width of the HD-7P: practically speaking, is 90.25" too narrow? The only other option is the HD7W with a 100.25" drive through width. My cars are generally small (older BMWs), and would fit on top of the HD-7P perfectly. The narrower configuration would also help space the driver's door a bit further from the adjacent wall. That said, I could see how parking below (between the posts) could be a hassle. Thoughts?

The post locations are indicated with white paper in the attached pics.

Thanks!

 

[wssix99]

I think the two post is too close to that control join in the middle of the floor. You should probably download the instructions and confirm the tolerances on distances-to-cracks before going further....

Your type of situation is why they have the super wide lifts:

Having the four and two post that close together will be an absolute killer. Check out where your doors are for the car under the four post position. You'll never be able to open it or walk around in that area.

 

[pbon]

I would want a two post to have the posts end 6 inches from the crack. With a good 4 post like the bendpak Hd-9xw or Hd-7w, there is enough width to work on the car, even drop an engine. Get the rolling jacks, the older rj-45 for more clearance if you have low cars (I have a lowered E90M3 and a lowered E36M3) if you can afford them - at least 1.

 

[E30 Racer]

I think the two post is too close to that control join in the middle of the floor. You should probably download the instructions and confirm the tolerances on distances-to-cracks before going further....

Your type of situation is why they have the super wide lifts:

Having the four and two post that close together will be an absolute killer. Check out where your doors are for the car under the four post position. You'll never be able to open it or walk around in that area.

Thanks for the feedback. The holes will all be greater than 1-ft from the control joints, and the slab is about 10" deep in that area, so I'm not too worried about that issue.

I am, however, worried about reasonable accessibility to the cars, so your point about the inboard post of the two-post lift is a good one. That said, that problem is more a function of the limited space of the garage overall. Using that big (and $$$) super wide four post you suggest won't resolve that...in fact, the space between cars will likely be worse than between the car and post as pictured.

Finally, I really need a two- and four-post combo to accomplish what I want out of the garage...storage (4-post) and maximum flexibility (2-post). Perhaps a pair of Maxx Jacks would be a better option than the fixed 2-post. When not in use, the inboard post could just be moved aside.

 

[pbon]

Max Jax are a compromise Get a real lift if you can.

 

[firebirdparts]

I say do it. If you back in on the right the drivers door opening is not a problem. An asymmetric would be a huge help on both sides if anything there is a daily. For daily drivers parking under a 2 post, you need to stop short of the posts. Usually that is easy to do even if the lift is symmetrical, but asymmetrical would be nice.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

I have an HD-9ST (narrow) which has the same drive thru clearance (76.5") as the HD-7 and I park my E92 under it every day. I have even less than the 76.5" because the lift is right against the wall and I have 3-4" of space eaten up by the front wall of the garage. It looks like you have a double deep garage so you should have the full drive in clearance. You will be fine.

 

[E30 Racer]

Good eye. The garage is indeed double deep, so this won't be a problem for the daily. In my first pics, the space between the right side posts of the HD-7P is just over 12". That leaves about the same amount of space to the wall as the left door of the left car to the left wall...basically enough to open the doors to the first detent without banging into a wall or post.

 

[wssix99]

and the slab is about 10" deep in that area

Engineering-wise, this doesn't do a thing for you.

That said, that problem is more a function of the limited space of the garage overall. Using that big (and $$$) super wide four post you suggest won't resolve that...in fact, the space between cars will likely be worse than between the car and post as pictured.

You'd have to do the measurements and look at the drive-through dimensions, keeping in mind that the cars can go right up to the columns. (You'll loose a TON of space in the middle if you have two lifts, which you'll also need to consider.)

The post in the middle creates a lot of problems. You may have to settle for two 4 post lifts and outfit one for mechanical work and the other parking.

You might make some cardboard models (doors open and doors shut) and experiment with the layouts and see how you'll be constrained by the lift placements.

Finally, I really need a two- and four-post combo to accomplish what I want out of the garage...storage (4-post) and maximum flexibility (2-post).

That's what I thought a long time ago... The two post lift is kind of a PITA to deal with. I'm about to install my 4 post lifts, but expect I will like them better. The two post lift requires making sure things are balanced and using auxiliary jackstands, which all takes planning, time, and effort. The maintenance for the 2 poster is also a lot more involved (checking torques, leveling lift arms as the cables stretch, etc.)

The 2 post will be great for pulling an engine but... I'm finding that ICE cars are already dinosaurs and I don't think there are enough engine pulls in my future to even come close to make it worth while.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

Good eye. The garage is indeed double deep, so this won't be a problem for the daily. In my first pics, the space between the right side posts of the HD-7P is just over 12". That leaves about the same amount of space to the wall as the left door of the left car to the left wall...basically enough to open the doors to the first detent without banging into a wall or post.

Nice E30's. Trying to convince the wife I need one as a 3rd car.

Is that an M1 or an M2? I'm starting to think about my next daily and the M2 is near the top of the list. Do you like it?

 

[pbon]

You can drop an engine on most cars with a wide 4 post like the HD-7W. 41” clearance between the ramps inner jack rails. I’d prefer a 2 post and had one before, but have a 4 post now. If I got another 2 post it would be one with angled columns. I did not enjoy squeezing out of my car when parking it to use the lift; when just parking, I would not drive as far in so the posts did not interfere with opening the doors.

 

[E30 Racer]

Thanks again for the feedback guys, I really appreciate it.

The 4-post on the right will be committed to car storage only. The car its been assigned to sees very little use, and I don't want to go through the whole car shuffle thing just to change the oil on a daily (keep in mind this is a double deep garage, so the shuffle would involve moving three cars out of the way to free up on the right 4-post....not fun in the summer, let alone in the middle of winter).

Whatever lift I select for the left will be the workhorse, and the 2-post option seems like it would deliver the most pros. Yes, there are some of cons as well, but that's life. To me, using a 4-post with multiple bridge jacks seems like a total PITA, and would prevent me from doing some of the work I anticipate doing (is it even possible to drop a motor/subframe combo with a 4-post?).

So, the issue is spacing and what I can do to maximize it. Initially BendPak's GP-7 seemed like a reasonable option (*inaccurately* listed as being 125" wide overall), but after speaking with BP it doesn't appear to be the best one due to the orientation of the power unit; its required to be on the side of the post, extends beyond the 125" width, and looks like it would be too close to the 4-post platform. Discounting Max Jacks, option B now appears to be an XPR-10S-168-LP set to its narrow configuration. This lift is only 7" wider than the GP-7, so bringing both lifts a bit closer to their respective walls should accommodate the extra width while still allowing acceptable entry to the cars. The power unit is on the front face of the post, so that won't be a problem. I'm planning to set-up an accurate mock-up this weekend, but it appears I'll still be able to open the doors all the way without hitting the adjacent walls.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

If the car(s) assigned to the 4 post lift are only occasional drivers do you really need to open both doors? You could push the 4 post up against the wall and gain an extra 12".

 

[E30 Racer]

Ideally I'd like to maintain the space, but you're right...that is an option. Squeezing into a show car *****, and can mess things up. No matter how careful you are stupid things happen.

 

[E30 Racer]

Nice E30's. Trying to convince the wife I need one as a 3rd car.

Is that an M1 or an M2? I'm starting to think about my next daily and the M2 is near the top of the list. Do you like it?

Thanks, btw. White car in the first pics is a 1M. It's nuts. An M2 would be an awesome daily.

 

[pbon]

The XPR-10AS was the one I was considering if I could have used a 2 post in my new garage. I wanted the angled columns after not having them with my last 2 post. One very compact and expensive 2 post is the Mohawk A-7.

 

[E30 Racer]

The XPR-10AS was the one I was considering if I could have used a 2 post in my new garage. I wanted the angled columns after not having them with my last 2 post. One very compact and expensive 2 post is the Mohawk A-7.

I like the XPR-10AS, but will be using the lift with both vehicle orientations (forward and rear facing).

 

[PCMusicGuy]

Have you considered a full rise scissor lift? You don't have to flush mount them, but the give you some flexibility

 

[firebirdparts]

That's something to think about. The autostacker costs a lot more, but it doesn't have any front posts.

Also, I will just mention I haven't really taken the view that a two-post lift takes a lot of extra effort in the same way as WS6. I don't run my cables super tight (no need), and they haven't stretched, and so I don't adjust the cables. I don't use any jackstands, ever. I suspect with a 3500 lb car on there you won't have the feeling that it's about to teeter off. It does take about a minute to pick a car up, and you want to get that part right, but like me you'd be picking up the same few cars over and over.

 

[PoorOwner]

autostacker setup (back in)

then set the 2 post a little backwards towards the garage door. Daily parking drive a little past the 2 post so the front door can swing open. I see a lot of front of wiggle room so you will be able to get all the cars even if you have a project on the 2 post.