Lift questions

[Ohmthis]

I have a new 2 post lift (not yet installed) of the asymmetrical design. I haven’t started the install yet because I have limited space and want to make sure my vehicles will fit on the lift inside the garage. Looking at the asymmetrical design, 70% hangs on the long arms and 30% on the short arms. So my question(s) which end of the vehicle would you lift where? Does it matter? I was expecting to place the uprights in the center of the garage space and it would enter the vehicles, thus they would fit inside. Now I’m going to have to shift the uprights one side or the other of center to make this the case, correct? I’m sorry if these seem elementary questions, I just need some info to make this successful. Thanks in advance!

 

[maxpat82]

All the spec and suggested install spacing is in the manual.

yes an assymetrical lift should be offset to the front of the vehicule..

keep in mind that's mesurement are taken from a center of gravity point of the vehicule (which is a bit in front of the center of the vehicule normally.)

 

[CraigStu]

Short arms to the front. You have somewhat of a choice where you park the vehicle. the ones I worked on had a small pad for one of the front tires. like this except steel.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006H5VVVO/?tag=atomicindus08-20
It was placed via a spec the lift manufacturer sent w/ the install instructions. Most vehicles there are some options as to where exactly you place the lift arm pads. 90% of the time we parked w/ the wheel on the pad. Once in a while w/ the heavy SUVs we would park just ahead of the pad. Made it a little harder to get out of but the weight was more centered on the posts. Here is some info
https://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Where-Do-I-Position-My-Two-Post-Lift-In-My-Garage

 

[Walter_TA]

How big is your garage? How many doors? How tall is your garage? Can you post a drawing of what you have in mind? The weight of the vehicle will be at the center of the lift. The motor weights more than the trunk. You should have the outside of the post 3 feet away from the wall if you want to walk around the lift.

 

[Ohmthis]

I’ll draw something up when I get home from work. It is a one car bay perpendicular to the 2 car garage and all of it is attached to the house. It’s dimensions are roughly 21’ 8” deep x 14’ 11” wide x 13’ tall. I know it’s not the ideal space for a lift, but it’s all I have and it’s this or nothing. Thanks

 

[Falcon67]

The way I placed things was to park the typical car in the space (I back in), adjust to clearances front/rear as desired, marked the floor with tape about where the steering wheel landed and used that as a preliminary post location. As above, short (typically 3 slide) arms to the front, long to the rear. I'm 24' deep and the posts ended up around 11' off the front (door) end of the space.

 

[Ohmthis]

Big thanks Chris!!!

 

[Lonnies Performance]

I have an asymmetrical lift. It seems like the typical car ends up with the outside mirror at the post. Access in & out of the car is great.

Most longer wheelbase trucks, especially the quad cabs, typically are situated with the post at the middle of the drivers door. This allows the rear arms to reach just in front of the rear springs.

I situated my lift allowing for 8' forward from center of post & 11' to the rear. Seems like the quad cab trucks are about 19' long. Looking back, I could have moved my lift forward another 1'.

 

[Walter_TA]

You are going to have to put one side right up against the wall, then you will have 2 and half feet to walk around the lift. I think that you will have to mount the lift 9 feet from the bay door, maybe 8 feet to get some work space. Take the longest vehicle you want to work on and park it as close to the bay door as you can. Then the post will be about where the side mirror is. It will be very tight.

 

[aka Larry]

The way I placed things was to park the typical car in the space (I back in), adjust to clearances front/rear as desired, marked the floor with tape about where the steering wheel landed and used that as a preliminary post location. As above, short (typically 3 slide) arms to the front, long to the rear. I'm 24' deep and the posts ended up around 11' off the front (door) end of the space.

Chris, is your lift asymmetrical? In your pic, the Camaro seems to be almost centered on the post, which would be too far forward for my Mustang on my asymmetrical lift. In the position you have shown my front arms would be maxed out to reach the pinch molding behind the front wheel.

 

[killahog]

I have a new 2 post lift (not yet installed) of the asymmetrical design. I haven’t started the install yet because I have limited space and want to make sure my vehicles will fit on the lift inside the garage. Looking at the asymmetrical design, 70% hangs on the long arms and 30% on the short arms. So my question(s) which end of the vehicle would you lift where? Does it matter? I was expecting to place the uprights in the center of the garage space and it would enter the vehicles, thus they would fit inside. Now I’m going to have to shift the uprights one side or the other of center to make this the case, correct? I’m sorry if these seem elementary questions, I just need some info to make this successful. Thanks in advance!

Can you find a shop that has a lift like yours and take one of your vehicles in to have it lifted?. This would answer a lot of your questions. When I installed my Bendpak I positioned my truck in my shop where I wanted it to be when working on it and then aligned the lift to the proper location.

 

[Falcon67]

Chris, is your lift asymmetrical? In your pic, the Camaro seems to be almost centered on the post, which would be too far forward for my Mustang on my asymmetrical lift.

It's a Mustang

Yes, it's asymmetrical. Could be the picture angle.