Putting a two post lift outside.

[GSSFC]

I have a two car shop that is not conducive to a lift install. I have radiant in the floors and the ceiling is only 8'. I would REALLY like to have a lift at my house. I was wondering how practical it would be to install a 2 post lift outside like I have seen in some speed shops and service stations. I don't like the idea of a vehicle being outside and having to work on it out there, are there any other ideas people have done to make this situation work?

I am going to be building another attached garage to the house in the next couple of years. This is going to be a basement garage with storage below, so it would doubtful that I could install a lift on the "parking" level. It would also not be real practical as all my tools and equipment are in the shop which is 50 yards of so from the proposed new garage. Plus this is to be a parking garage and my wife is not likely to let me take this over for projects! She wants a dry place to park and unload kids!

Tim

 

[justinmc]

A few years ago there was a guy here in town doing motor swaps on hondas in his backyard... he basically poured a pad and installed the lift outside. I guess it worked for him but it was pretty.... well ghetto. If I were do do it I'd at least suggest creating a carport, etc to keep it a little more covered. You might go ahead and pour the pad the size of your addition and then all you'd have to do is basically wall up & tie in the new to the old part later on.

 

[revlover]

I was thinking the same thing... at least a cover would keep some of the elements out.

Maybe build a cabinet for the power unit too...

 

[pattenp]

I have a two post lift and wouldn't consider having it out in the weather. I don't know what part of the country you're in but if you have a wet climate vs. a hot dry climate you're going to need to weather proof the electrical. I'm in Virginia and I'd think the lift would turn into a block of rust within no time without being in some type of closure.

 

[sbarton]

How about the new MaxJax portable lift system?

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26368

-Scott

 

[PAToyota]

Without posting where you are located, that is a hard call. But as SBarton states, take a look at the MaxJax system. I had pretty much decided on it when I saw it because, like you, I just don't have the clearance in the shop for a regular two-post lift. But when I saw the post about the guy putting it under his carport and it occured to me that I could pour a pad out in front of the shop and wheel it out there when the weather was nice and I needed a little more room...

 

[Rory Bellows]

I know of several professional garages with outside lifts. They don't seem to have a problem with the elements at all. I live in N.E. Ohio so rain, snow, sun we get it all. Two are four post lifts and one is actually a single post lift that looks like it is moveable. Now these things aren't all nice and shiny like some of you require but they aren't rusted and function properly. These places are within 5 minutes from my house and I'm sure there are alot more out there.

 

[toadjammer]

There is also a company tha makes an auto lift that is like a palet jack/lift. It goes under a car so that it can be moved if damaged in a way so that it is difficult to move. It then could be stored in the front of your garage and sold after it is nolonger needed.

 

[GSSFC]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I spent some time outside today looking the shop over. I believe the proposed area where I thought I would install it outside would be feasible to become an "addition" to the existing shop. I believe I can get a 12-13' ceiling in this area. By opening up the existing exterior wall I can then essentially have a 13' wide 36' long 3rd bay in this building that I can install a lift in!

BTW I am in New Hampshire. I don't know how to fill out a profile.

Tim

 

[brownbagg]

I have a bendpak 9x two post that been outside a couple years. Been through three hurricanes no problem. none at all. I keep a fave gallon bucket over the pump motor. I need to build a carport over the top but a 12 foot carport would be difficult.