Decided NOT to install a lift

[ForceFed70]

A cautionary tale for all.

I built my shop to accommodate a lift. 12' ceilings, thicker concrete, roughed in electrical, etc. A fair bit of extra expense.

This week I came to the conclusion that I'm never going to get a lift, and most of that extra expense was a waste.

What went wrong? Well, it's a combination of things.
- I'm just not doing the work I used to. My days of installing lift kits, restoring classic cars, etc are over. Maybe I'll build interest in that stuff again someday, but for now we've got newer vehicles and I'm limiting myself to basic maintenance work like brakes, plugs/tuneup, tire changes, etc. I'm still out in the shop, just not doing any major automotive work anymore.
- It would be in the way. My shop isn't huge, and 1/2 is used for general storage. In the winter, I park my truck where the lift would be. I commonly use that space as general workspace for whatever project I'm working on. I also commonly do things like load up my trailer with ATV's, etc for camping and park it there securely overnight for an early morning departure.
- Didn't think the design through fully. One of my goals was to have a space I could park a larger vehicle like a smaller travel trailer, a skiboat with trailer, etc. I installed a 10x10 door for this, left the bay extra long, etc. However, I was also planning to place my lift in that bay. Didn't even dawn on me that placing the lift there would make it difficult or impossible to park larger vehicles in that bay.

Anyway - some words of caution. Don't make the same mistake as I.

 

[Z2V]

were you planning to install two post or four post?

 

[ishiboo]

If you're a car guy, I don't think the investment in building your shop with the ability to have a lift was a bad one. You changed your mind once, you may easily change it again. And I would never regret 12' ceilings over a lower amount unless there was a specific reason.

 

[ForceFed70]

I hadn't decided on lift style but was leaning toward 2 post.

Yes, the 12' ceilings have some benefit. I love being able to swing around a 2x4 without smacking the ceiling, etc. But I had to compromise on my attic room to accommodate. If I was to do it over, I would go with 10' ceilings and put those extra 2' into the attic room.

Yes, it's always there. I can't say I'm all that upset about it, just that I do feel the money would have been better spent elsewhere.

 

[rwhite692]

Well, congrats on not buying a lift.....

 

[Nexussian]

Just so I'm on the right page, your warning is....

1) Make sure you really want a lift.

&

2) Don't mis-design your garage.

It seems like you are suggesting something else though, what did I miss?

 

[59 wagon man]

buy a four post lift with the casters and you will be very happy. even with a car on the lift it moves easily when set on the casters. you can use the lift to clean and detail the rocker panels, splash pans, etc. without laying on the floor. oil changes can be a ffun project as you don't have to climb under the car . if you have the funds and the space you won't regret it

today's project will be a quick maintenance on my pressure washer ,i'll roll it onto the lift and now I have a hydraulic work bench adjustable to any height needed

 

[12husky]

This is why I am looking at the Triump C-7000 lifts. It would be great to have, but typically stored out of the way along the wall.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[larry_g]

I understand where your coming from. As a young man I was in the shop a lot, sometimes for fun, sometimes out of necessity. Now that I am retired I don't do the heavy work any more and I can afford newer rigs that don't need constant attention to keep going. As a young man a lift would have been a great help. Today I'm not doing that sort of work so the lift would not help much.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Ign]

Even for oil changes my lift is awesome. Great for brake lines, wheel bearings, ANY maintenance. No way my trashed L4/5 and L5/S1 would be without it.

I literally don't even do an oil change not on the lift. Excellent time to walk under the whole vehicle and inspect CV boots, shake driveshaft u-joints etc. Also no easier way to rotate all 4 than to lift the whole vehicle from the chassis.

Glad you're happy, I wouldn't be!

 

[Superbec]

All your reason Not to install a lift look very subjective , I think you're trying to convince yourself this is the right thing to do....


I had a shop with a lift a few years back ... I'm not a car mechanic but I loved that thing , sure it takes some space but when you need one well it pays for itself in one time ..

Even tire changes are so much easier .. oil changes ? exhaust work? easy !

now without a lift .. well you know very well some things are very hard to do without a lift .

My new place has low ceiling , it's a ig shop but I can't install a lift , I plan on building a small addition just for a lift bay .

p.s. don't know what vehicles do you plan owning but most things on the road can be parked between the posts .

 

[Ign]

Get the extra drive-thru clearance and 83" deck car haulers will just fit, but it is tight.

 

[38Chevy454]

The lift, if a 4 post, could be used to park two vehicles stacked. Of course the top vehicle is one you would not drive regularly.

 

[LX-Markham]

I would like to take this opportunity to caution against not not getting a lift. A lift has got to be pretty much the most indespensable tool in the garage. As 454 said, if nothing else but for storage. It turned my 2 car garage into a 3.

 

[59 wagon man]

I understand where your coming from. As a young man I was in the shop a lot, sometimes for fun, sometimes out of necessity. Now that I am retired I don't do the heavy work any more and I can afford newer rigs that don't need constant attention to keep going. As a young man a lift would have been a great help. Today I'm not doing that sort of work so the lift would not help much.

lg
no neat sig line

actually it is quite the opposite as I get older I enjoy the lift even more everytime I hit the switch instead of having to lay down on the floor

 

[ratdoggy]

actually it is quite the opposite as I get older I enjoy the lift even more everytime I hit the switch instead of having to lay down on the floor

I have a mid-rise ...I'm in my fifties and it's a lot better than crawling around
If I knew then what I know now I would have bought it years ago....
But then again if I knew then what I know now I would have been getting laid in high school

 

[Blwnsln]

We have (2) lifts in one of our 1 bay shops. We regularly park large wreckers and flatbeds with 102 wide beds between the lifts. Its pretty easy to back thorough and even large class 8 vehciles fit between the posts of the 9k and 12k lifts, although the lifts would never be able to lift any of these vehicles we are still able to drive though them and park inside the shop. Like the above posts say, lifts are one of the only tools you cant borrow from a friend!

 

[lakeroadster]

Anyway - some words of caution. Don't make the same mistake as I.

Nice coupe!

Thanks for posting this. I do have to ask though: Have you ever had a lift in your garage/shop?

I can't imagine not having one, but then again I have had one in my last two shops.

Seriously... the best tool investment I've ever made. The lift makes routine maintenance almost enjoyable...

The older I get, the more I love my 2 post Rotary lift.

 

[Majordisorder]

"- I'm just not doing the work I used to."
Crawling around on the ground gets old. Get the lift.

 

[rburke65]

I'm not doing the work I used to do either, but I'm liking my lift.

 

[dbabicky]

Same as most of these guys. After two total knee replacements and a hip replacement, I wouldn't trade my 9K 2 post for anything and I don't do near the work on vehicles like I used to. I use it for all sorts of projects including cutting plywood, servicing trailers, you name it. A lot more uses than Car/truck maint.

 

[sanddan]

My only regret was not getting a lift sooner. Two total hips and knees beat up in sports took there toll, I hate having to get on the floor for any reason.

 

[doubleot]

Very interesting. If I had the space, funds and everything fell into place I would sell half my stuff just to get a lift. I can't imagine in what situation it wouldn't be worth it. Hell I'd use it just to hear the sounds it makes! You'll love it if you get one. I am already in the garage 80% of the time, if I had a lift, I would have to be pulled inside.

Get the lift, you'll love it.

 

[TK-421]

It's like the old saying goes, cut three times and it's still too short.

Planning is key, and then more planning, and after you're done planning, you should do more planning.

Sounds to me like you made the mistake of building before you were done planning.

 

[MushCreek]

I'm kind of in the same boat. When we bought our property 10 years ago, I was all gung-ho for a lift, and built the barn accordingly. Now, at age 63, I'm not that enthusiastic about car work any more. I have so many projects ahead of me, I don't know if I'll ever get the lift. But I don't regret my decision to build for it. If I do decide to get one, I'm all ready for it.

 

[timbitca]

I'm 30 and can't wait to be able to afford a lift, though it'll likely be in my next shop.

Having to jack a car up 4 times to do a tire change gets old quick, and I've never trusted jack stands.

 

[ZipSnafu]

Love my 10K 2 post. I use it pretty much every day from car maintenance to lawn mower repair to just holding wood for wood projects. Its one of the best choices I have made and would never look back at it. I would do it again in a heart beat.

 

[vonhef]

I grew up working on cars in a Gas station that had 2 of the in-ground post lifts and used them constantly. After leaving the station.... I lamented not having access to a lift for over 25 years. Every time I want to change the oil, brakes, tires, transmission work.... I would say, I WISH I HAD A LIFT!!!

Finally had one installed this year, and have used it alot already.

 

[gregtwojeeps]

Call me dumb, but how is the Jeep being lifted ? I see no mechanism to do so.
Jack levers in the posts ?

 

[doubleot]

I grew up working on cars in a Gas station that had 2 of the in-ground post lifts and used them constantly. After leaving the station.... I lamented not having access to a lift for over 25 years. Every time I want to change the oil, brakes, tires, transmission work.... I would say, I WISH I HAD A LIFT!!!

Finally had one installed this year, and have used it alot already.

How tall are your ceilings? This looks like a good option for me

 

[vonhef]

Call me dumb, but how is the Jeep being lifted ? I see no mechanism to do so.
Jack levers in the posts ?

This lift has a hydraulic ram that pulls four cables (one per each post) that lifts at each corner.

 

[vonhef]

How tall are your ceilings? This looks like a good option for me

12 ft walls. Notice I lift between the ceiling joist. My dad in this photo for reference is over 6 feet tall.

 

[doubleot]

12 ft walls. Notice I lift between the ceiling joist. My dad in this photo for reference is over 6 feet tall.

Looks great! What is that style called? What price range are they in?

 

[My Old Tools]

I have a mid-rise ...I'm in my fifties and it's a lot better than crawling around
If I knew then what I know now I would have bought it years ago....
But then again if I knew then what I know now I would have been getting laid in high school

and arrested

 

[bdbecker]

...I'm just not doing the work I used to. My days of installing lift kits, restoring classic cars, etc are over...

...Now, at age 63, I'm not that enthusiastic about car work any more...

Have you considered that having a lift might re-ignite your passion for wrenching because it would make it easier?

If you're over it and have moved on to a new hobby, that is great and I totally understand (I always seem to be bouncing between hobbies myself). But if you haven't filled that void, you need to. Otherwise, you'll just end up getting old.

 

[vonhef]

Looks great! What is that style called? What price range are they in?

This is an 8000 lbs 4 post lift, with removable casters. The caster allow the lift to be moved around the shop. It cost around $3200 delivered & installed.

 

[Trey T]

Thanks for sharing, OP

 

[doubleot]

This is an 8000 lbs 4 post lift, with removable casters. The caster allow the lift to be moved around the shop. It cost around $3200 delivered & installed.

Thats fantastic thanks for the info!

 

[gregtwojeeps]

This lift has a hydraulic ram that pulls four cables (one per each post) that lifts at each corner.

O.K. I see the pump now on the left front post and a cable crossing over. That is a very nice lift.

I assume it works much like a set of jack stands meaning as the lift rises, the locking "wedges" in the posts would keep the lift from dropping back down in the case of a cable break ?

 

[38Chevy454]

O.K. I see the pump now on the left front post and a cable crossing over. That is a very nice lift.

I assume it works much like a set of jack stands meaning as the lift rises, the locking "wedges" in the posts would keep the lift from dropping back down in the case of a cable break ?

I have the same lift. You are mostly correct, the locks do prevent a free-fall, but they are also used once you get to the height you want, the lift is set down on the locks and the cables do not hold up the weight. It is never good practice to have a sustained load on hydraulics, use for lifting and then let it sit down on the mechanical stops.