How tall for a lift?

[5150]

Hey guys,

New here and was just checking things out. About to break ground on a 30x40 unattached garage. My question was how high should I go so I can get a lift. Won't be getting it anytime soon but wanted to know what the minimum was. I was thinking 12 foot, but do I need to go higher.

Thanks,

Bryan

 

[JohnZ]

A 12' ceiling will work fine for you, unless you're stacking pickups or other tall vehicles; mine is 12', and I have all kinds of clearance to the ceiling with a car at full stand-up working height on the lift. I know plenty of folks with lifts and 10' ceilings, although that's probably a minimum.

 

[5150]

thanks, that's what I got the bid for was a 12 footer. I have several 67-72 trucks that I'd be putting in there. Thanks

 

[nonhog]

thanks, that's what I got the bid for was a 12 footer. I have several 67-72 trucks that I'd be putting in there. Thanks

67-72 trucks ! what kind ? welcome from another GarageJournal /67-72chevytruck.com user

 

[scotw]

Follow these links:

http://www.revolutionlifts.com/Ceiling.asp


https://www.backyardbuddy.com/buddyworksheet.htm

 

[lolife99]

5150,... I followed you here from www.67-72chevytrucks.com. I have a 30'x50' with 10' side walls. I left a section of the shop (20'x30') for a lift. I stick built my shop with vinyl siding to match my house,... so I used "cathedral" style trusses where the lift will be. The rest, (30'x30') has "attic" style trusses for storage. The outside is done,... but a "surprise" divorce put a stop to finishing it. The 30x30 side is a clean area for body and paint work,... and the lift side is for "wrenching". A wall dividing the sides will keep things clean.

 

[lolife99]

My garage,...

This is from the lift side looking up at the storage area.

 

[Quiksilver]

Re: My garage,...

This is from the lift side looking up at the storage area.

That looks like an interesting setup, do you plan on doing a project build thread here? I know that I would like to see more.

 

[lolife99]

I used all my shop money to to keep my house. So right now it needs wiring , insulation, and some sort of heat to make it usable. My '71 2wd blazer, and my '71 swb project truck are stored inside,... along with the tractor and lawn mower, scaffold, tools,etc. Hopefully I can get something going in '08. 5150,...sorry to hijack your thread. If I had it to do again,... I'd put up 12' or 14' sidewalls and attic truss the whole thing. (Attic trusses here in Missouri are about 50% higher than a standard truss) Roof pitch is 8/12. I just didn't want it to look bigger than my house.

 

[lolife99]

outside,...

here's the outside.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Is your intent to have a lift for working on vehicles, or for storing one on top of the other? If it's the latter, 12 feet may or may not be enough depending on how tall your trucks are. Besides the combined heights of the two vehicles you have to consider the thickness of the ramp itself, plus enough room to raise the lift up past the stop and then drop it down to lock in place, plus the stop needs to be at the right height so you get the top vehicle high enough so the bottom one will fit.

 

[ron in sc]

To be safe mine has 9' side walls and a tray in the center that is about 9' wide and runs the length of the garage. The center height is 14'. Garage is not totally done yet and lift is not installed. With this height I should not have many limitations.

 

[5150]

No I won't be stacking them. I guess I could but not the main plan. Both of my trucks are lowered so I won't have a problem with that part of it.

Lolife-I'd like to see more pics too. For those that care here are my trucks:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/737541

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=217473

 

[lolife99]

More pics,..

Here's a few more. I planned to use a two post lift in the center of the far right door. I have a bathroom planned for under the stair landing, and storage and water heater under the stairs themselves. I want to sheetrock the walls with, maybe, a white metal ceiling. Haven't decided yet. Also a pic of my junk that will go inside.

 

[bluesman2a]

Hey Lolife, not to jack the thread, but that's a fine looking place you have there, what are the chances of getting you to put up a build/tour thread in the Garage Gallery, I know I'd sure like to see more!!!

 

[brownbagg]

if I put my little toyota truck on my lift and raise it so I can walk under it, I'm 5'4. The roof of the truck is 12 feet 5 inches. so if you have light fan etc hanging it will stop it. I would do a minimum of 12 foot walls. My walls are ten feet and I had to put my lift outside.

 

[all4sho]

mine is 12' 6" and it clears by about 1 1/2"

 

[chicane]

A 12' ceiling will work fine for you, unless you're stacking pickups or other tall vehicles; mine is 12', and I have all kinds of clearance to the ceiling with a car at full stand-up working height on the lift. I know plenty of folks with lifts and 10' ceilings, although that's probably a minimum.

I agree mine is 11'+ but I intend to stack relatively low profile sports cars. If you were stacking Ferraris you could probably get away with an 8' ceiling.

 

[Yotaforce]

I went with a 30x40x12 with a 4:12 roof. I pondered the same question for months before buying my kit from Kentucky Steel. I measured 100 times on AutoCAD. I figured I could go with a 10' eave with a 4:12 and it would be close, so I bumped up to 12' to be SURE.

 

[brownbagg]

thing you have to worry about on metal building, that roof purlin is about eight inches thich, so you 12 foot height is now 11.2 and then roof material. light, fans, etc

12 foot walls be no problem.

 

[72blckbuty]

Love the shop lolife99, can't wait to see all those projects under roof and underway.