garage height and a two post lift

[dreamingmuscle]

Still planning my garage and have some questions about ceiling height. I found out that a advertised wall height of 12 feet is actually about 11'3" by the time the concrete is poured. My builder said it would be cheaper to add 10 foot on the build then it would be to go up two more feet.


So my basic question is what is the minimum height I need for a regular two post lift?

 

[cyamaha2007]

The average height ive found is 11ft 10in

 

[cyamaha2007]

Also it only cost me $1100 to raise my shop from 12ft to 14ft. Its a 36x56 and that was materials only not labor as im doing the labor.

 

[rmckee]

I've read 14-16 feet for working height lifts. This meaning the appropriate height to fully work under, but it'll depend on the vehicle you're lifting!

 

[ejm1961Tbird]

The two-post lift I want requires 12'1"

 

[synik]

Check out my garage build in my signature, I went with 13' feet ceiling, allowing some room to raise up the post. Garage size is just barely enough to support most cars/truck and a lift.

I will be getting the bendpak 2 post 10k lift. Around 12ft tall. So allow yourself some room to work with, which why I went with 13feet ceilings. Most 10k lb lift I've seen has a 12ft post height, some shorter. So, be safe and build taller if anything.

 

[rburke65]

Is this a studded wall construction? and what size garage? A question such as yours would benefit from some dimensions........ya think? What kind of lift? A MaxJax lift you can get away with an 8' ceiling.

 

[64dragnwagon]

Most require between 11' 10" and 12', I am also building a pole building with 12' walls and as you stated after concrete you have about 11'2" after concrete with the co. I am using. I am using scizzor trusses to gain the extra few inches I will need for a 2 post lift.

 

[Cryptic1911]

We went 12'6 on the back, and 12'9 in the front (3" slope). Just add the couple feet if you need it, it shouldn't cost that much more

 

[dreamingmuscle]

Is this a studded wall construction? and what size garage? A question such as yours would benefit from some dimensions........ya think? What kind of lift? A MaxJax lift you can get away with an 8' ceiling.

Pole barn construction.

I'll be lifting a half ton pick up most of the time. I do have a 1 ton van I might want to lift high enough to get the wheels off the ground to work on brakes with a roll around stool.

Money is a object so I need to get it right the first time.

The extra floor space would be nice. But not laying on the floor would be nice also.

But at this point just a level piece of concrete would be a huge improvement over the dirt and rubber mat I have now.

 

[RMR&C]

Many 2 post lifts are 145"......my ceiling is exactly 144". That really *****.......

 

[synik]

Many 2 post lifts are 145"......my ceiling is exactly 144". That really *****.......

What about complete hydraulics lift?
---Lift Height Overall:
---Low Setting: 138" (11'-6")
---High Setting: 149" (12'-5")
http://www.completehydraulic.com/lifts-2-post-sl10000oh.html#spec

Or, Metro Lift - Atlas?
---Overall Height 142"
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-9OHSC-Overhead-Two-Post-Car-Lift

There's plenty of car lifts out there to meet your specs. Look around.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Always remember to factor in lights, airlines, vent locations, etc, when laying out your garage. I would ask your builder again about the cost as I doubt adding 2' to the wall height will add that much to the build. It will make the columns longer, add one run of girts and the additional siding material. The labor cost extra would be minimal.

I would shoot for 14' walls leaving you with 13'-3" for an inside height. That will clear any light locations you will have and still leave room for a lift with a 12'-6" height or maybe a little over that.

 

[Motofixxer]

I have seen a lot of 2 post lifts saying 12' posts, so to stand them up you need a bit more. There are lifts available shorter, but I would recommend going taller, or using different trusses. I have 10' walls with parallel chord trusses giving me about 13' 6" at the center.

 

[JimVonBaden]

There are a few that are around 9' also, but if you are planning to build, plan taller than you think you need.

Jim

 

[BBDakota]

If your at the planning stage and your going to work on the vehicle, make it tall enough now, don't try to get a lift that just fits under your ceiling or settle for a lift that only lifts the vehicle high enough that you can only stoop under it. Those lifts should only be considered by someone whose putting a lift in a shop not designed to have a lift. You want to walk/work under the vehicle with the hood fully raised.
I started to build mine with 12' walls and at the last minute changed them to 14'. I'm sure glad I did. With the lights hung and the hood open, lifted all the way up, I can see 12' walls would not get it. The open hood will stick up farther then the height of the lift.

 

[SteveU]

Still planning my garage and have some questions about ceiling height. I found out that a advertised wall height of 12 feet is actually about 11'3" by the time the concrete is poured. My builder said it would be cheaper to add 10 foot on the build then it would be to go up two more feet.


So my basic question is what is the minimum height I need for a regular two post lift?

Most of the regular 2 post lifts are around 12' high. For ceiling height, I have a 14' ceiling & can lift a minivan or F-150 all the way up as high as the lift goes & still have room so a full size van shouldn't be a problem. If you are in the planning stage, another thing you could price out is something like a Mohawk with the in floor line option & see if that along with your existing building plan is cheaper than adding enough height to the building to get a taller lift in.