Challenger Lift - Cutting the posts

[LeLimoMan]

I've spent years working on classic British sports cars, motorcycles and various other motor-driven contraptions. I've always wanted a "real" garage and was finally able to rent a 1500sq ft garage close to my home. I've spent the last year outfitting it with all the goodies (compressor, welder, sand blast cabinet, etc. etc.) My most recent purchase was a used Challenger lift. It's old (20+ yrs.), but has been well maintained, used daily and was an absolute steal.

My question/issue is this. My ceilings are 9'3" max between joists and the height of the posts are 10'2". Now I could cut holes in the ceiling. It's just plywood and serves as the floor to the 2nd level. That's an easy solution (kinda). But what I was really wondering is, can I cut the top of the lift posts so that they fit completely in the first floor height? All the hydraulics and mechanics are run in the drive-over channel and the post tops are just open beams. Does anyone have any experience shortening their posts or want to share an opinion (other than I'm crazy).

I know that this type/size of lift is not ideal for my situation, but the opportunity to grab this was too good to pass up (I actually bought two lifts...The other is going into storage or I may sell it). Once installed, my plans call for tying the two posts together at the top with steel bars to provide added stability and installing an electric eye power cut off to prevent the lift from going too high and damaging the ceiling/car roof.

Thanks for your time and input!

 

[why worry]

I too picked up an older Challenger lift (when they were still made in the USA) anyway I think you could do it just be careful of the stops and reset the limits. Should be fine,

 

[32roadster]

It's possible.....I would certainly be careful doing that. Just remember, you will need to get new equalization cables, or at least shorten the ones you have, and have the cable ends re-swedged. Which, I'm sure you already know.

 

[gungatim]

I think it would just be a lot easier to punch holes for the posts in the ceiling. I know a guy that has the sister lift to mine and he not only did that but since my model has the overhead bar, he ran that over the rafters to lift into the attic...cutting that thick steel, rewelding the end, shortening the cable, and then you have a lift that diesn't bring as much if you ever had to sell it for any reason, OR cut a couple holes in the ceiling and be done...your call but I done't think i'd do all that work if I could at all help it.

 

[sberry]

Fix the ceiling vs modify a rigging device.