My 4 post story

[Gear Box]

I want to have the ability to put my jeep under the car on the 4 post lift I'm looking at. This ceiling lift should give me 6" of clearance for the car and 83" head room when car is stored. Hardest part was finding an engineer that would stamp the plan I feed him. About 1500 in materials and at least 45 hours of labor.Have a look.

 

[$Jay]

Re: Tray ceiling addition for 4 post lift clearance

Turned out really nice. I was going to do the exact same thing but then decided against putting in a lift.

 

[Gear Box]

Re: Tray ceiling addition for 4 post lift clearance

Lift installed: Advantage 4 post XLT. Went together very smooth,they have great you tube instructions. Very happy with everything on lift.
The rolling jack is awesome also.

 

[jinman]

That all looks really nice, Gearbox! As someone who is considering that exact lift, thanks for posting your positive thoughts on it.

 

[Bamafan]

Looks great!

Two questions:

How high is the ceiling in the tray?

I like the looks of the Advantage, but they seem a bit pricey. What made you choose it over the comparable BendPak?

 

[jinman]

Not sure which lift you are considering, BamaFan, but the Bendpak lift that is comparable to GearBox's is the BendPak HD-9XW and it's currently going for 3,035... Plus 250.00 for the caster kit, plus 145.00 for the sliding jack tray, and an additional 100.00 for 4 drip trays. For a total of 3,530.

The Advantage lift 9000 XLT is 3,600 for the lift with included caster kit, included sliding jack tray, and included 4 drip trays. So, for this particular lift, the cost is very comparable in my opinion, about 70 bucks difference. I was considering the BendPak as well but I think I'll be ordering the Advantage instead now. I just like the idea of the solid square posts and deadbolt lock system compared to that open C post design that BendPak and others use. I know there's a million of those style lifts out there operating safely, and I'd still be happy to have one of those as well - not trying to throw them under the bus, but I just can't wrap my head around the fact that the weight of an entire car/truck is being supported solely by 4 welded studs holding those lock ladders up in the C channel posts. For me, the Advantage style of lift gives me more peace of mind with leaving a car in the air.

 

[scottmoyer]

Made the same decision. My Advantage Lift is at the warehouse and ready for pick up this week. I compared it to the Bendpak HD-9 and the Direct-Lift. The Direct-Lift (8k pound) was $2200 and came with the casters, a "sliding 2k pound jack tray, and drip trays. I would then need to either drive 7 hours roundtrip to get it from the warehouse or pay an additional $300 for delivery to a local warehouse. That's now $2500 for the 8k lift.

The Bendpak was about $3k, but didn't have the accessories. My Advantage Lift is about $3k being delivered to a local warehouse. It includes a "rolling" 4500# jack tray, drip trays, height limit switch, casters and wheel chocks. Definitely the way to go for me.

 

[mikegt4]

I applaud your doing the job correctly with an engineered solution.

 

[Sarki]

Re: Tray ceiling addition for 4 post lift clearance

Lift installed: Advantage 4 post XLT. Went together very smooth,they have great you tube instructions. Very happy with everything on lift.
The rolling jack is awesome also.

I spy with my little eye........Hellcat?
Sweet!

 

[LXCam]

Nice job, nice collection and nice to see someone else who hates red as much as I do.

 

[ovilla]

Made the same decision. My Advantage Lift is at the warehouse and ready for pick up this week. I compared it to the Bendpak HD-9 and the Direct-Lift. The Direct-Lift (8k pound) was $2200 and came with the casters, a "sliding 2k pound jack tray, and drip trays. I would then need to either drive 7 hours roundtrip to get it from the warehouse or pay an additional $300 for delivery to a local warehouse. That's now $2500 for the 8k lift.

The Bendpak was about $3k, but didn't have the accessories. My Advantage Lift is about $3k being delivered to a local warehouse. It includes a "rolling" 4500# jack tray, drip trays, height limit switch, casters and wheel chocks. Definitely the way to go for me.

Height limit Switch?

Please elaborate. What's this look like and how do you set it up for different vehicle heights?

 

[ovilla]

Re: Tray ceiling addition for 4 post lift clearance

I spy with my little eye........Hellcat?

Sweet!

Very nice!!!

 

[Angelfire]

Well executed! What happens when you get bitten by the Jeep bug and jack that thing up on 38's?

 

[yeldogt]

What the hight of the finished ceiling -- I have a similar issue with metal rods in the way.

 

[Gear Box]

Yeldogt, The ceiling height is 134"and the tray height is 150" it is just shy of 8'x10' after the corner trim went on.

 

[James E]

Nicely done. I like the floor, too.

 

[Kaizen]

Gearbox what did you use for that floor epoxy. I like it.

 

[Gear Box]

Gearbox what did you use for that floor epoxy. I like it.

The floor is polyaspatic with flakes to refusal then scrapped off and a clear rolled on. Installed for $3.50 per sq.ft. It's about 2 years old holding up very well. Went with it cause of 24 hour cure time.

 

[Gear Box]

Installed the kill switch on the four post.
Did a custom install with these hyperikon 8' led bulbs. They are seriously bright, took some project enclosure boxes and cut a square in the cover on each end.

 

[mjweimer]

Gear Box - great thread. I love the attention to detail on the lift install (and apparently the remainder of the garage).

I am really interested in more details on the lighting you installed - please share.


MJ

 

[scottmoyer]

Height limit Switch?

Please elaborate. What's this look like and how do you set it up for different vehicle heights?

Sorry it took so long to respond. I missed your question. The limit switch connects to the motor and gets installed with a plunger style switch pointing down the column. You attach it to the column in the position where the cross member section will depress the plunger and cause the motor to shut off. You can move it around, but I would think that you would need to mark the column at the different locations the switch gets installed for each vehicle. I don't remember if it gets attached with double sided tape or velcro, but if it's velcro, that will make it easier to move it to different stopping locations.

 

[Gear Box]

Gear Box - great thread. I love the attention to detail on the lift install (and apparently the remainder of the garage).

I am really interested in more details on the lighting you installed - please share.


MJ

The lites are off amazon hyperikon 8' single pins led frosted 5000k, they will send new receivers with the order. Then for each lite I took a 3"x2" radio shack project enclosure put a square hole in the cover,drilled a hole in lower bottom for the lamp cord to go in.These bulbs are direct wire 120vac so it's basic wire up. I used heavy duty two sided tape to mount the boxes on bottom side of the ramp,getting the distance adjusted right for tension on the receivers.
These lite do require a retainer at the 1/2 because they tend to sag seller provided these as well

 

[mjweimer]

Gear Box - perfect. Thank you for the additional details.

I really like this solution and it is now added to the (ever growing) project list.


MJ