Questions concerning Lifts

[pgoldston]

Got a couple questions concerning Lifts
What do you guys like in the type of lifts and why?

What do you normally use a drive on lift for?

What do you normally use a 2 post lift for?

As well the current house I live in I dont plan on stayin there much longer then 2-4 more years. How hard will the lift be tear down and move to another house.
thanks for all the help

 

[pgoldston]

Also what lift would you recommend for a hobbist, trying to keep everything under 2500 including install

 

[nehog]

Rotary, like for quality.

Two post, all work. Doesn't hog a lot of floor space like a four post will.

Easy to remove, basically disassemble and haul it out.

No, I don't have recommendations for under $2500...

 

[bigdav160]

My opinion:
If you want to work on your vehicle, two post is the only way to go.

Some people just want to park double-decker and two post storage would eventually strain the suspension bushings by letting the suspension hang. Storing a vehicle at ride height is the only advantage a four post lift has.

 

[saabman]

I am a hobbyist and have a 4 post and a 2 post (both Bendpak). As other have mentioned the 2 post lifts has a smaller footprint and will not be in your way (as much) when not using the lift. The 4 post is superior for storing cars. Either lit will allow you to do a wide variety of repair. A sliding jack for the 4 post allows you to do virtually all the same things you can do on a 2 post.

That said, if I am doing wheel/brake/suspension work it is quicker to do it on the 2 post lift.

 

[darkk]

My opinion:
If you want to work on your vehicle, two post is the only way to go.
Some people just want to park double-decker and two post storage would eventually strain the suspension bushings by letting the suspension hang. Storing a vehicle at ride height is the only advantage a four post lift has.

That is a very incorrect statement. There are slight advantages to both types of lifts. When purchasing a lift you have to determine which best suits your needs. Front end work is not really any more difficult on a 4 post with a rolling jack than a 2 post. With a 2 post you have a slight access advantage to the very front of your vehicle. You have a better storage capability on a 4 poster, less hassle when diving on. The 4 post very seldom gets in the way, just leave it up. I feel safer with the 4 post especially if I'm leaving something on it. You can have the vehicle at ride height without having to lower it to the floor and roll the car back and forth to level the suspension. We could sit here all day picking either lift style apart.

 

[Todd.Brock]

There is a group buy for Maxjax lifts today.

 

[Vicegrip]

some 2 post lifts can be converted to work like a 4 post. Drive on and lift by the wheels. I have a 2 post Bend-pac at home and it is built more than well enough.

There have been a bunch of threads on lifts. I bet you could have an evening or two of reading with a simple search. I almost never say "Just use search" but in this case there is a wealth of stuff.

 

[outwiththeold]

My Bendpak MD-6XP will be here soon,I will see how it goes.

 

[brownbagg]

I have a two post bendpak, if I had to do over it be a four post, just because I hate getting on my knees to place the arms, and a four post dosent have to be bolted down so easy to move. but they nothing wrong with the two post, just my knees

 

[Lkdelta]

Also what lift would you recommend for a hobbist, trying to keep everything under 2500 including install

I've got that mid-rise scissor lift...After I'm done with my basic stuff..

I can lift it up with a chain-fall, back a trailer under it and be headed toward a friends house ...in about 15 minutes. No bolts into the floor

It was $1900

 

[pgoldston]

Any more information on converting the 2 post to a drive on. I saw that mohawk make adapters just wondering if other companys do this as well.

Thanks for all the input, Im trying to find a local company that installs them to come out inspect my garage to make sure that I can have one installed and if not if they will be able to make the correct modifications to install it.

 

[Jack Olsen]

What are you planning doing with it? Like anything, the best way to figure out the best tool is to establish what you're using it for. And then -- because it's a lift -- where you'll be using it. Ceiling height is a huge factor in what sort of lift makes the most sense. Some lifts are completely portable. Some are semi-portable (MaxJax), some are more-or-less permanent installs.

Before you get talked into something by your local installer, give us some more details. What kind of car/truck work are you doing? Are you likely to be living in the country or the city? Etc.

 

[stingry]

Got a couple questions concerning Lifts
What do you guys like in the type of lifts and why?

What do you normally use a drive on lift for?

What do you normally use a 2 post lift for?

As well the current house I live in I dont plan on stayin there much longer then 2-4 more years. How hard will the lift be tear down and move to another house.
thanks for all the help

Personally I have a 4 post and prefer it over a 2 post but they both have advantages and disadvantages, here's a few:

Four Post
advantages: moveable, does not need to be tied down. can just drive on, no need to place lift arms. center section between ramps can be filled in to allow lifting and storage of lawn mowers, ATV's, etc. can be used to stack cars for long term storage. with a jack tray, can be used for suspension and tire work, although not as easily as a 2 post.

disadvantages: takes up more floor space, cannot be used to lower engine assemblies from under the car, not as good for tire and suspension work.


Two post
advantages: uses less floor space, good for tire and suspension work, good for lowering engines from underneath

disadvantages: concrete more critical when attaching to floor, must place lift arms before lifting, not moveable


As for moving, a four post can be moved (although not practical for long distances) with a car trailer without disassembling. The two post will have to be disassembled.


Cheers
Steve

 

[gtixpress]

I purchased one of these many years back for basic under-car work. It's just a large ramp to drive the car up on and has worked well.

http://kwiklift.com/features-all.htm

 

[pgoldston]

Jack,

the plan is to install this into my 30x30 shop, on the far side I have a 18 foot ceiling so height is not a issue. Although Im concerned about the concrete and would want someone to check it out first.

I currently have several cars and work on many other peoples cars to help out. Mainly Im working on 1 of 4 mustangs. One of the reason that I would like a 4 post lift is 1 it adds another parking spot to the shop as Im out of parking and we are adding another car to the stable, the other is I can setup the suspension alot easier than it being on the ground.

Reasons for the 2 post are more frequent use in that area, tire changes, brakes, exhaust,Transmission work. As well with my cobra dropping the engine through the bottom is so much easier and much faster than trying to pull it out of the top. Dropping the IRS out as well is much easier as I just just lift the chassis up.

I currently live out side city limits.

 

[ScaldedDog]

Though this won't help the OP much, I love my Rotary in-ground lift. More stable than a two post, but with no posts. Of course it's terrible as a parking lift. I keep my off-road 4Runner parked on top of it, so it is completely out of the way when not in use.

Mark

 

[pgoldston]

so I have looked and looked and decided for all the work that I do that a 2post would be much better for me. Which leads me to the concrete, this will be what really determines it for me. If the concrete is not up to par then I will be forced to get a 4 post and deal with it.

Who should I call out to have the concrete check? A installer or someone else. Im currently in iraq right now so Im trying to get all of this lined out so I can be ready when I get home.

Thanks for all the input guys

Patrick

 

[mikeyr]

How often do you do brake or suspension work ? I tend to do that work right the first time so for me a 4-post was more important. A shop needs a 2-post but I really believe that a home owner needs a 4-post since you can do so much more with a 4-post, like park 2 cars in the space of one, your car on top of your motorcycles.

 

[Vicegrip]

This is a home made adaptor for my bend-pac. I think there are a few lift makers that make wheel lift adaptors. What is nice is when the car is up there is 6 feet of clearance under the arms and no corner posts. This makes for more open space under the car.

I have a better format set of wheel arms in the works. drive into the space swing the adaptors in around the wheels and lift. No bending, no aiming.

 

[gbcamp72]

Vice grip,

I'm interested in making a set of arm attachments so I can make a post lift do what a 4 post lift does best and act as a storage lift. I recall you had more detail in an earlier post and I'm keen on what you have in mind as an improved version.

Can you point me to your earlier post and I encourage you to have a standalone thread for the new design.

Thanks,

 

[jdaallen]

This will keep you under $2500


http://www.americanautomotiveequipment.com/4-Post-Lifts-p/ss7000xlt-d.htm

 

[frozen_bohemian]

Just had a Direct Lift installed last week for 2700. installed. Should do the job.
I do have to move the light above the bay and add some track to the door to get the full height I will need. My ceiling is at 10'-4" and it looks like it will be enough to put another car under.
http://http://bencostuff.com/products/lifts/direct/pro_park_8s.htm

 

[Falcon67]

As Jack pointed out, it depends on what you plan to do with it. I wanted a 4 for a while, but I sat down at the table and listed all the things I've done over the years to the hot rods that required lifting the cars. Everything said "2 post" after that. I can't afford to build a shop tall enough for a full size two post, so when the time comes it's a MaxJax.

 

[financer83rs]

I have a two post lift that i paid $1700 installed it myself. Use it nearly daily. Love IT!