Short Sightedness on 4 Post Lift Selection

[danieldd]

In the beginning of 2021 I bought an Advantage lift, a 9000-HD 4 post. At the time I figured this would fit anything I needed, and for the most part it has, but I'm going to be in the market next year for a newer full size truck and my current lift most likely won't accommodate it. As trucks have gotten wider and longer I have found that it simply won't fit. A crew cab full size is out of the question as it simply won't fit length wise. As for the width, if you can believe it, my 1st generation Ridgeline is actually wider than the runways. I can get it on the lift, but the tires hang over the side by about 1-2 inches. Interestingly enough, my 1st generation Tundra would fit just fine and the 95 F150 extra cab I bought and flipped a month later fit fine. Cars and SUVs are no problem either, but a newer full size truck just won't work. Should have gone with the Advantage EXT lift but my shortsightedness prevented me from doing that.

Buying another lift to accommodate a larger vehicle is an option but the cost of the new lifts have gotten pricey, so I'm not keen on this option. A mid sized truck won't do as I need a full size for farm duties. My only option at this point is to buy and older truck as they will fit - downside is I'm gonna have to fix whatever is wrong with it in order to make it into something reliable (most used full sized trucks that are smaller have > 200K miles).

So, I guess this is a caution for those that are considering a lift. Make sure you plan for your future vehicle needs and buy the lift that is larger than your current needs.

 

[pbon]

So the lift is shorter than the wheelbase of the truck? When I shopped, I learned you just need to fit the wheelbase and not the whole vehicle length. I did know width could be an issue, and my needs range from narrow to wide so I bought a lift with one runner that can move from narrow to wide (Bendpak HD9XW). Maybe you could drill new holes for the runner without the cable and piston and slide it over 6”, but with trucks you also must consider big mirrors that can hit the posts driving on and off. You would have to fold the mirror in on that side.

 

[Joe Reed]

Aren't the new Rangers and Colorados about the same size as the older full size trucks you're considering?

 

[Youngandfree]

The wheel offset, not width of the truck is why the tundra fits better than the Ridgeline. Tundra is wider.

 

[GirchyGirchy]

Thank goodness my garage is way too small for a lift of any kind...problem solved!

 

[mikeyr]

shop by your wheelbase not overall length, the ends of your truck will hang over the end of the lift not a big deal. In my case decades ago when I bought my lift, I had to measure the distance between the ramps. With a wheelbase of 38" in width most 4-posts would not lift my old cars.

 

[riverbud]

I have an Advantage 9000 HD and my needs have changed. I bought it used three years ago, and I was able to sell it for what I payed for it and apply that towards an 11000 WD.

 

[05snopro440]

I got a Direct Lift included in the sale when we bought our house. My garage is a triple so the lift is in the "fun car" project bay. The first time I tried to lift my Avalanche, it just didn't fit properly on the lift for my comfort level. My question is if you want a reliable truck, why are you so concerned with it fitting on the lift? Or is the lift the parking spot for your daily?

I have old cars and one of them is what is always parked on my lift. For service and repairs on anything else, I do it in the bay beside the lift with either ramps or a jack and stands. I don't find it to be an issue, but maybe you don't have an extra bay?

 

[drmarkr]

Why are you worried about the tires hanging off the sides by 1-2"? Not a big deal. I'd be more worried having plenty of lifting capacity.