Thanks for the data point on pricing; wow I paid a lot more than that a couple years back. We are now building another house and I plan to have two 6.5s installed, this time, finally with the legs recessed into the floor. AC sent me this customer photo which I don't think they'll mind my posting.
The Definitive Single Post Lift Thread: BendPak, AC, Girolift, Gemini,Tec
- Thread starter ersatzs2
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Thanks for the data point on pricing; wow I paid a lot more than that a couple years back. We are now building another house and I plan to have two 6.5s installed, this time, finally with the legs recessed into the floor. AC sent me this customer photo which I don't think they'll mind my posting.
racerboy
Well-known member
Just stumbled into this thread as I have been looking at adding a storage lift to the garage. I was thinking about the Autostacker but then saw a photo of one of the single-column lifts (I think it was a Gemini) over on Rennlist. Lift was white in color and looked like art. 
Since I'm working from home at least until May 1, time to do some more research.
Since I'm working from home at least until May 1, time to do some more research.Aerosurfer
Member
Been doing my research on the AC single post and think that’s going to be best for my garage as a well. For those that have, did you shop around and interview installers or go by ACL recommendations?
Is anyone in the Midwest, specifically Indianapolis area, and would let me come see it in person I would appreciate it too.
Is anyone in the Midwest, specifically Indianapolis area, and would let me come see it in person I would appreciate it too.
racerboy
Well-known member
I just stumbled in here myself. Thanks to OP for starting this thread! Great info in one place. I already own a Mohawk 2-post service lift and was looking to add two more lifts. In the same shop with the Mohawk, I was going to add a Bendpak HD-9 4-post since the bay it would go in is only for storage (and nobody else in the family goes in the shop). For the house garage, I too fell in love with the pictures of the white ACL single-post lift over on Rennlist. I was originally going to go Autostacker, but that lift is pure art. Now, I'm even more intrigued about having the baseplate recessed, but can that be done in an existing slab or would that only be applicable for a new slab? Sorry if that's a dumb question.
Also, I have a guy coming today to give me an estimate on doing both the shop (About 1000 sq ft) and the house garage (2 1/2 car) floors in epoxy, though it sounds like I may want to hold off on the house garage floor if I am going ot be serious about a recessed install (if it can be done).
Also, I have a guy coming today to give me an estimate on doing both the shop (About 1000 sq ft) and the house garage (2 1/2 car) floors in epoxy, though it sounds like I may want to hold off on the house garage floor if I am going ot be serious about a recessed install (if it can be done).
racerboy
Well-known member
This is probably a dumb question, but for those that did a recessed floor plate for a single column lift, did you pour cement back in over the ‘recess chamber’. In some of the photos I’ve seen, I think that’s exactly what happened. The reason I ask is that if you were ever to move, does that mean you would have to re-cut the floor to remove the lift (assuming that you would take it with you). I do not plan on retiring in NJ (taxes) so that’s sort of the reason I ask. I won’t be retiring for another 6 yr or so, but figured I’d ask.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Re: Wow, this single post alternative is fascinating!
So 7 1/2 years later... anyone have any experience with this type of lift? Too good to be true?
Keep
Well-known member
Bump to the top.
I have been looking for a "narrow" 4 post, my garage has the door to the house, in the middle of the back wall. So any 4 post lift, sits a post directly in the middle of that door, and moving the lift forward to allow more room is not much of an option a "2 car" garage is a bit of a stretch.
Anyway. I came across a single post lift and my first thought was..."I bet GJ has a post on them" and sure enough here we are.
First one I came across was the M-1 by American custom lifts. Are there others out there that folks recommend? I see in this post that Bendpak seems to be lacking.
Parking on the lift will either be a 87 Corvette, or a 23 T-bucket. So not big cars, or in the case of the t-bucket its under 2000lbs.
Those who own these lifts, any regrets? Wants, wishes or issues?
Thanks
I have been looking for a "narrow" 4 post, my garage has the door to the house, in the middle of the back wall. So any 4 post lift, sits a post directly in the middle of that door, and moving the lift forward to allow more room is not much of an option a "2 car" garage is a bit of a stretch.
Anyway. I came across a single post lift and my first thought was..."I bet GJ has a post on them" and sure enough here we are.
First one I came across was the M-1 by American custom lifts. Are there others out there that folks recommend? I see in this post that Bendpak seems to be lacking.
Parking on the lift will either be a 87 Corvette, or a 23 T-bucket. So not big cars, or in the case of the t-bucket its under 2000lbs.
Those who own these lifts, any regrets? Wants, wishes or issues?
Thanks
Aerosurfer
Member
I installed a single post lift this week... need 5 total posts in order to post pictures... this is number 2
Aerosurfer
Member
Post number 3 soon comes my review of the lift
Aerosurfer
Member
Post 4 then I can freely talk here
Aerosurfer
Member
Nope still need 5 posts first.... last time
Aerosurfer
Member
Now that’s out of the way... here is my full review
I finally pulled the trigger on this and ordered the ACL M1 6.5 lift.
Gotta say I couldn’t be happier. I’m still in awe everything time I walk into my garage.
As for the process, working with the ACL representative was great, he ran me through options and colors, was alway quick to answer my questions as they came via phone or email. There was no credit card surcharge to pay for it, so I was able to knock off nearly 10% of the cost through new CC promotions.
I ordered back in early December and was told 12 weeks lead time. That was holding true right up until the ice storm hit Texas in late February, but overall I was only about 2 weeks behind.
The company that was contracted to to do the install is a commercial lift installer, doing mostly dealerships and city maintenance facilities over residential stuff. They were fantastic getting this thing done. Showed up on time with 2 flat beds and a forklift, team of 3. They got right to work. The lift ships fully wrapped and well protected
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My garage is tall but not the deep, so this lift made perfect sense. As it came together..
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This thing is really massive and well built in all ways
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Once loaded up
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View media item 111122
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My favorite view, from the kitchen
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As big as it is, it really cleared up space in the garage. The overall footprint is quite small. I have better than 6’6” of clearance underneath, although the far outside tracks are about 1.5 inches lower than the middle next to the column. There is a bit of sway if you push on it, but was told of such prior. My Mercedes on it, is about the largest and heaviest car I ever can see owning. It’s 199” long And about 5000 pounds. It goes up like a champ.
Right now I have an odor of grease, I assume it’s just some off gassing of the grease in the column. It’s packed in there to lubricate the lifting parts, but the wife hopes it dissipates soon.
It’s simple controls, straightforward wiring, and easy to use, wide tracks driving onto it. It certainly comes at a premium, this is a very well constructed piece of machinery. I’m in Indiana if anyone is nearby to see it
I finally pulled the trigger on this and ordered the ACL M1 6.5 lift.
Gotta say I couldn’t be happier. I’m still in awe everything time I walk into my garage.
As for the process, working with the ACL representative was great, he ran me through options and colors, was alway quick to answer my questions as they came via phone or email. There was no credit card surcharge to pay for it, so I was able to knock off nearly 10% of the cost through new CC promotions.
I ordered back in early December and was told 12 weeks lead time. That was holding true right up until the ice storm hit Texas in late February, but overall I was only about 2 weeks behind.
The company that was contracted to to do the install is a commercial lift installer, doing mostly dealerships and city maintenance facilities over residential stuff. They were fantastic getting this thing done. Showed up on time with 2 flat beds and a forklift, team of 3. They got right to work. The lift ships fully wrapped and well protected
View media item 111128
View media item 111119
My garage is tall but not the deep, so this lift made perfect sense. As it came together..
View media item 111130
This thing is really massive and well built in all ways
View media item 111120
Once loaded up
View media item 111129
View media item 111121
View media item 111122
View media item 111124
My favorite view, from the kitchen
View media item 111126
As big as it is, it really cleared up space in the garage. The overall footprint is quite small. I have better than 6’6” of clearance underneath, although the far outside tracks are about 1.5 inches lower than the middle next to the column. There is a bit of sway if you push on it, but was told of such prior. My Mercedes on it, is about the largest and heaviest car I ever can see owning. It’s 199” long And about 5000 pounds. It goes up like a champ.
Right now I have an odor of grease, I assume it’s just some off gassing of the grease in the column. It’s packed in there to lubricate the lifting parts, but the wife hopes it dissipates soon.
It’s simple controls, straightforward wiring, and easy to use, wide tracks driving onto it. It certainly comes at a premium, this is a very well constructed piece of machinery. I’m in Indiana if anyone is nearby to see it
Keep
Well-known member
Very cool, thanks for the post. I priced one out up here, and after install it was close to $20k.....We have decided we are moving houses for land and a shop...lol
Aerosurfer
Member
Im in for about 12k with mine. I didn't have to do any foundation work and I already had a 220v line from an Air Conditioner thats no longer there, so I was able to do all the electrical myself.
The real irony is if i had a bigger garage, deeper or wider, this lift wouldn't be necessary, and costs would have been cheaper with a 4 poster.
My wife has been joking all along that qe will probably find a dream house come up for sale as soon as this got installed.
The real irony is if i had a bigger garage, deeper or wider, this lift wouldn't be necessary, and costs would have been cheaper with a 4 poster.
My wife has been joking all along that qe will probably find a dream house come up for sale as soon as this got installed.
OP here, with update on my third Single Post installation! This time its our new house in VA Beach. Smallest garage footprint yet, so even more important to use the single post design to maximize available floor space. Floor space is about 25x25, ceilings 12.5'. Ordered two American Lifts with 7" extra column height so base can be recessed into floor. Planning to pour concrete around the base. American now has their own factory in TX. Apparently BendPak no longer sells their single post lift. Chainhoist w/dolly on I-beam across ceiling came in handy, that vertical post is heavy.
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Juiced06GTO
Well-known member
Can you work under these or are they strictly for parking? Doesnt look like there is any way to lift the vehicle off the tires right?
bump for an answer.
Aerosurfer
Member
Yes and no... it is sold as a parking lift, and no center Bridge jack is availabe.
That being said... doing exhaust, fluids, fuel filters, and basic undercarraige work is no problem and still a game changer vs no lift. I have done Motor mounts with a hoist jack pushing up on the engine. It becomes a safety issue, as you dont want any weight shift or hard torquing while its hanging out there.
As far as getting the wheels off, i have done CV work. I jacked up the rear on the ground and got Jack stands in place in order to remove the wheels. It was more in place so i could put the car up when i didn't finish. I wouldnt attempt to do brakes or high leverage suspension parts while in the air.
All in all, its a fantastic piece to still access the bottom of the engine and all things underneath, but has its limits
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Hi All. First post on this site. Just had an American Custom Lifts 4.5 installed in my garage. On CorvetteForum, had a couple of responses basically saying "I wouldn't stand under that" and "that could cause your entire garage floor to tear away" so I started searching for some basic foundational information and this thread (here on GJ) was very helpful, so thanks for that!
The guys who installed the lift (hundreds of lifts installed over decades-long careers) told me it would work fine without being bolted to the floor, and I was skeptical, but doing some basic calculations I now agree with them. Here is my thread with rough diagrams and calculations. And yes, they did bolt it to the floor as per spec.
Long story short, I had researched and rejected getting a four post (takes too much room) or a two post (forever in the way) for my two car attached home garage. The ACL 4.5 was perfect, but the cost of a new one prohibitive ($20K all in). The ACL copycats like Tuxedo all stated that they required 6" of concrete in the floor (ACL requires 4"). So I had given up. Then a guy who lives less than 10 miles from me listed his used one on Craigslist. I couldn't be happier. This thing is rock solid and yet out of the way.
ACL was great too. Over 10 years later, they still had the unit registered, and connected me with the original installer. Even though there was no money in it for them, they were helpful and responsive.
The guys who installed the lift (hundreds of lifts installed over decades-long careers) told me it would work fine without being bolted to the floor, and I was skeptical, but doing some basic calculations I now agree with them. Here is my thread with rough diagrams and calculations. And yes, they did bolt it to the floor as per spec.
Long story short, I had researched and rejected getting a four post (takes too much room) or a two post (forever in the way) for my two car attached home garage. The ACL 4.5 was perfect, but the cost of a new one prohibitive ($20K all in). The ACL copycats like Tuxedo all stated that they required 6" of concrete in the floor (ACL requires 4"). So I had given up. Then a guy who lives less than 10 miles from me listed his used one on Craigslist. I couldn't be happier. This thing is rock solid and yet out of the way.
ACL was great too. Over 10 years later, they still had the unit registered, and connected me with the original installer. Even though there was no money in it for them, they were helpful and responsive.