Having a hard time deciding between 3 different lifts...input wanted!

[jserr68594]

I have 3 different lift models I am looking at. I will list the pros and cons for each one and see what your opinions are. This is for personal use in my garage with 10.5' ceilings. I have a Mustang and F150 that I want to use on the lift. My wife will park under it.

The first lift in question is the Eagle Equipment GLO-8000XLT (96" Tall) $2000 (Without accessories )
http://www.eagleequip.com/product/GLO-8000XLT.html

Pros:
-Price ($1000 cheaper than either Bendpak)
-Company has been around for many years
-Will not have to modify garage door tracking
-No need to run air supply to lift like the Bendpaks
-High lifting height

Cons:
-No ALI certification
-Lifts 1000 lbs less (Not an issue)
-Won't fit out door
-Stationary runways
-Exposed mechanical locking mechanism
-Exposed Lift Cables

The second is the Bendpak HD-9XL (88" tall) $3010: http://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/four-post-lifts/hd-9xl.aspx

Pros:
-Will fit out my garage door for cleaning vehicle under carriages
-I will not have to modify my garage door tracking
-ALI Certified
-Adjustable width runway
-Air safety Latches
-Long-Term Parts Availability
-Hidden locking mechanism

Cons:
-Only lifts to 67" locking height (larger vehicles can not park under it).
-Lower working height than the other two lifts I am looking at. (Is 67" a good working height?)
-Price


The third is the Bendpak HD-9XW (100" Tall) $3010
http://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/four-post-lifts/hd-9xw.aspx

Pros:
-Higher lifting height for working on cars and vehicle storage underneath
-ALI Certified
-Air Safety Latches
-Long-Term Parts Availability
-Adjustable width runway
-Hidden locking mechanism
-79" locking height

Cons:
-Will have to modify tracking to fit lift (Easy, no cost modification as tracking only has to come up 2")
-Will not fit out garage door
-Price

 

[jomobco]

HD-9XW for no other reason than I own one. It's a good lift for a decent price and I'm tall and can walk under it without banging my noggin.

 

[AMCguy]

How tall are you?

The lifting height is moot with whichever one you chose when lifting the truck as you won't be able to go anywhere near full height.

Keep in mind even at 67'' height with the HD-9XL the lowest part of the car is still going to be around 7'' or 8'' above that.

For some jobs I do on my two post lift, I like the vehicle right on top of my head.

Oh! I always wear a bump cap on my head when working under the lift. I got mine from Napa when they were a promo item.

 

[jserr68594]

I am 5'7". The bump cap is a good idea lol!

 

[bigdav160]

What does the wife drive? With a 10 ft ceiling I can't imagine anything bigger than a Miata fitting underneath

 

[Matt M PA]

Using my quick math abilities...that are somewhat limited....

I've had Mustangs and I'm guessing about 55" tall. Take that from the ceiling height...and you're left with about 6'. Remember that you'll need to lift higher than the actual resting place of the lift working height...and lower down to the locks.

I can't recall which HD9 I have, but mine is the wider version...but not taller. At the highest position, I have to duck under the runways...but the working position is fine. I am 5'11".

Of your choices, I'd get the 9XL...as the extra height (at least in the garage) is worthless.

 

[jserr68594]

My wife currently drives a Milan, which will easily fit under any of the lifts. She may eventually get a SUV which would likely not fit under the HD-9XL. With the Mustang on the lift, I would have about 70" of clearance underneath if the car was 2" off of the ceiling.

 

[davidlee]

I have a 10ft ceiling and have a Bendpak HD9. I can park my 2011 Challenger on top and can park either my 73 Cuda or my 69 Camaro under it.

 

[excavator]

I bought my BendPak HD-9 and a rolling jack from http://jmcautomotiveequipment.com/
Free shipping and a great price. Ask for Juan

 

[brentmc]

My 2 neighbors and I all have the Eagle lift. It works great and we have had no issues. From a quality standpoint, I am very satisfied with every aspect of the lift.

Takes 2.5 hours to install. I paid $1,495 when I bought it a few years ago.