Converting doors to high lift

[ned911]

First - tried the search but didn't see a spring system quite like this

Buying a new house at the end of May and need to convert the garage doors to high lift and install LM8500's (2 single bay doors) so I can add a 4 post lift. The garage size is 21x26 with 112" ceilings. Here's the issue (other than going from 3 car to 2 car) the springs on the doors are like something I've never seen (see pics).

Is this something I can tackle myself or should I get an installer. The local LM dealer quotes $499+tax to install.





Thanks

 

[pattenp]

Those are standard extension springs installed in a different way than you may be use to. To use the LM8500 you need to convert to torsion springs on a torsion shaft. Unless you are very handy you may want to hire a garage door company to convert to high lift. Adding the LM8500 is only part of the job, you need to add springs and high lift tracks, drums and cables.

 

[upndown]

+1, never seen extension springs that way..

 

[LB-1911]

Your call

High Lift Garage Door Conversion

The following instructions for converting your garage door to a high lift system are written for only the confident mechanic. The task is more complex than installing a garage door from start to finish. The average diy-er should not attempt this.


http://ddmgaragedoors.com/diy-instructions/garage-door-high-lift-conversion.php


https://www.google.com/search?q=Con...l+site:www.garagejournal.com&biw=1040&bih=622

 

[Flexia]

$500 for both doors doesn't seem bad. They have to install new upper track and a complete torsion bar and springs. I would just let them do it. You will prob have close to that in parts if you will find a place that will sell you the springs..

 

[Zeke]

Budget for new side mounted openers and you can run the tracks damn near to the ceiling. I can't see a safety cable inside those coil springs. If there isn't one get rid of them.

 

[ned911]

Talked to the local LM dealer this is the quote per door: $750 to convert to high lift, $499 for 8500. Again that is each.

 

[upndown]

Keep shopping! $1250 per door, that's nuts!

 

[bjcouche]

It sounds a bit high. I did my own doors, although I'd consider myself a bit more capable than the average DIY guy... I did 3 doors in total, two 10X10 and one 16' wide, 12, tall. I high lifted them and then did a follow the roof pitch, which adds a level of complexity on top of just a high lift. I first did the 16' door and 1 of the 10' doors by buying a kit from diygaragerepair. They were extremely helpful and assisted with the spring and drum calculations. The parts for these TWO doors, with shipping came to about $620. These are heavy insulated doors too, so the springs are super big, way bigger than the original ones. For the third door, a 10X10, I decided I could save even more money and get a better job and not buy a kit. I didn't like the steel angle that diygaragerepair provided. It was not bent well at a good sharp 90 degrees and that made it difficult to use. Also the track was a close match to my existing track but not exact. I ordered the springs, drums and cables from diygaragerepair. For the angle, I just bought some locally and for the track, you'll find that the section you cut off the end of your horizontal track is nearly the exact length you need for your vertical high lift.

I originally tried to get quotes from local door installers but after talking to numerous installers only a couple even knew what a high lift door was and wouldn't do one.

I bought my Liftmaster 3800 at northshorecommercialdoor.com and now they list the 8500 for around $370.

Brian

 

[Dakota00]

Talked to the local LM dealer this is the quote per door: $750 to convert to high lift, $499 for 8500. Again that is each.

I thought about doing the highlift conversion myself. Got a quote of $350 to do the highlift from a very reputable garage door company. It was a no brainer. I paid $380+ taxes (I installed myself) for the LM8500. **** here in Canada is very expensive, those quotes you got are high!

 

[galianowu]

They have to install new upper track and a complete torsion bar and springs.

 

[fordcragar]

I went through a similar situation about ten years ago. A couple of differences, my doors are sixteen feet wide and the springs are different. That said, I called a local garage door company and they came out and looked. They wanted to replace the door, but I said no.

They said that they could readjust the springs, but couldn't guarantee them to work right; which they didn't, but they're fine with me. What the door does now, is when you pull it down, it wants to go back up, I just hold it down with my foot and slide the lock. So now it is either locked in the down position or up. They charged me less than $200 to come back out and adjust it; which was ten years ago.

What the door company explained to my was that the door is engineered as an assembly to be used a certain way, when you start making changes to the design the part prices go up and you are just winging it, so to speak. So in other words, to make this work right, another door (probably a higher door) with a spring designed to lift the whole door that much higher would be needed.

Based on what you mentioned, I'd be looking around for a different door company to do an adjustment of what you have.

 

[Skeetobite]

Talked to the local LM dealer this is the quote per door: $750 to convert to high lift, $499 for 8500. Again that is each.

I just had 6 doors lifted and converted to LM 8500. Love them.

The quote should include new torsion springs and bars, track extension, minor carpentry/hardware for mounting the new torsion assembly. Based on your pic, the doors may be too close together to get them installed side by side. This means you'll need to run two circuits over the jack shaft opener for power.

Be sure to tell the bidders that you want high cycle springs. No junk.

The price they gave you looks way high on labor to me, but then again, it took 2 men with decades of experience around 20 hours to lift all 6 of mine. To be fair, I don't know what labor goes for in your area. It's best to get at least 3 bids and go from there. I paid about $960 per door for parts and labor.

Before:

After:

 

[ned911]

I got a second quote for $950, waiting for verification that the 8500 is included. Apparently the wife didn't like the "let's knock it down and build a 4 car" idea

Thanks for the feedback!!

 

[CA_Tallguy]

They have to install new upper track and a complete torsion bar and springs.

I don't thing the OP needed completely new upper tracks -- probably just 2 to 3 feet of track to get extra vertical height, which likely can just be trimmed off the back of the existing tracks as less horizontal track is needed anyway after the high lift conversion. I just finished my DIY high lift tonight and picked up some scrap track for free from a local garage door company to make the extension. I figured it would be less error prone to just insert a bit of new (used) track and then trim the excess from the horizontal after the install was all done.

Converting to torsion springs isn't all that expensive for the parts either. Anyone doing a high lift conversion really will need new drums, torsion spring(s), and cables anyway so ASIDE from those parts, there is probably less than $50 in other parts needed to make it happen.

 

[Daves69]

DIY guide here

http://ddmgaragedoors.com/diy-instructions/garage-door-high-lift-conversion.php