Lift location inside garage?

[deepstuff]

I see a lot of people are putting their lift in the back end of the garage rather than in the front by the garage doors? What is the logic behind this? Pros and cons?

I was set on putting mine directly at entrance in front of a garage door but now wonder if it would be advantageous to have it in the rear of the garage? I was looking at a 4-post unit so that it could also be used as storage?

 

[mx185sw]

If you place it right at the front... Then it could prevent you from getting other equipment in and out of the garage, if you only have 1 door. Also if you want to do work on the car or truck that would not require a lift... (Wax, work on interior etc)...Then having the lift towards the back of the garage will allow you to pull vehicle in and not be obstructed by the lift. If using it for storage, then installing it further back in the garage would be the better solution.

 

[astroracer]

Everything above PLUS if you have a standard 7' high door the vehicle on the lift will prevent it from being opened all the way.
Mark

 

[KDXSR5]

If you are using the lift for long term projects or long term storage, it would be more beneficial to have it at the back of the garage. This way you can still pull daily use vehicles or equipment in and out without having to mess with your lift project/storage vehicle. If you are planning on using the lift daily to make a living, then you may consider putting it at the front of the garage. Otherwise, I would recommend placing it in the back.

 

[nickm1024cobra]

If you are using the lift for long term projects or long term storage, it would be more beneficial to have it at the back of the garage. This way you can still pull daily use vehicles or equipment in and out without having to mess with your lift project/storage vehicle. If you are planning on using the lift daily to make a living, then you may consider putting it at the front of the garage. Otherwise, I would recommend placing it in the back.

I put mine up by the front of the door. Used it for long term storage. My rationale was that I have a 2 car garage that is only about 22' deep. If I put it at the back of the garage I lost space for my toolboxes to go on the back wall.

Now...one thing to consider is when the garage door opens will it hit the car on the lift? If so the lift will need to go to the back of the garage. I installed a high lift door specifically to address that issue.

 

[Cyberbear]

My auto bay area in my 30' deep shop has the lift more towards the front, enough space with a car on the rack so I can still roll the door up and down and walk behind the vehicle. This also allows for working space, bench or storage in front as well.
I decided on the old school single post lift that I designed to drop below floor level when not in use and metal doors to cover the hole during that time. I don't plan on frequent usage or ever dropping out the trans, just for maintenance and wheel work. I never cared for the idea of having something to trip over when not in use.

 

[YukonXL04]

My auto bay area in my 30' deep shop has the lift more towards the front, enough space with a car on the rack so I can still roll the door up and down and walk behind the vehicle. This also allows for working space, bench or storage in front as well.
I decided on the old school single post lift that I designed to drop below floor level when not in use and metal doors to cover the hole during that time. I don't plan on frequent usage or ever dropping out the trans, just for maintenance and wheel work. I never cared for the idea of having something to trip over when not in use.

Got any pics of this setup? Mine will be 30ft deep as well. What is the weight capacity of that lift? Any details of it?

 

[KDXSR5]

I put mine up by the front of the door. Used it for long term storage. My rationale was that I have a 2 car garage that is only about 22' deep. If I put it at the back of the garage I lost space for my toolboxes to go on the back wall.

Now...one thing to consider is when the garage door opens will it hit the car on the lift? If so the lift will need to go to the back of the garage. I installed a high lift door specifically to address that issue.

I was thinking in terms of a 2 car deep garage, 50+ foot deep, as that is what I am used to working in. In your case I would have done the same thing. Good thinking.