The subdivision compromise (tight squeeze)

[S7INGR4Y]

Quick backstory: Our past home was a small house on a 3 acre mini farm, and I was able to build a modest 28x36 metal shop with plenty of space for me to hang out and work on my cars. Shortly after/during building this shop, we decided our house was too small for our growing family and we were both too busy to keep the "farm" kept up.

We built in a new neighborhood, with main request being that I have a 3 car front load garage, giving my wife a parking space in the 3rd bay, and me having the 2 car bay as my free space. I was overseas during construction, so I used a lot of my free time to dig through this forum and research making the most of my downsized space.

I used the blueprints and based on recommendations here, gave sketchup an admittedly amateur try.


Anyway, on to details and pics that may help others. I'm only 2 months into this garage, so I'll update this thread as I continue to add on and try to leave reviews of the stuff that is less common or I couldn't find info on.

For flooring I chose to go with Norsk PVC tiles from Garage Flooring LLC.

Review can be found here:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=465433

I wanted a weight rack setup that could be moved out of the way when not in use. I decided on the Rogue monster lite rml rack for its ability to fold flat. So far its been great (plenty of reviews out there).

I had originally planned on a 2 post lift, but once I saw how limited I really was on space, I needed a 4 post. Being that I'm only lifting a 3k lb c3 corvette, I wanted a small footprint, and it would be ideal if the posts could clear my standard height garage track for now, and I could still park my truck in the garage. I know its a low budget Chinese lift, but the Triumph NSS-8SQ(shortened version of their 8k lb lift) seemed like it would meet those requirements. It was just installed today, so I can't review yet, but the installer said it was on par with the other Chinese lifts, but he had never seen any of the other companies offer one that size.

Thats all I've got for now, I know its not much compared to some of your awesome detached setups, but I hope it helps give some idea to those who are limited to an attached garage.

Pics attached

 

[Don1357]

Do you really need that wall between the 2 and 1 car garages?

 

[S7INGR4Y]

Before pics, flooring installed, and Rogue setup

 

[S7INGR4Y]

As it sits currently with lift installed. 1500 fits in there snuggly with the mirrors folded in. This lift did include the caster kit, and I chose not to bolt it into the floor so that I can roll it tight against the wall when not in use. Ideally, I hope to be able to roll it with the corvette on it as well, so that I can move the car out for weekend projects, and back out of the way during the week. I need a new toolbox, a sliding bridge jack, utility sink, and some finishing touches, then I will focus on maximizing my storage options in the 3rd bay.

 

[S7INGR4Y]

Do you really need that wall between the 2 and 1 car garages?

Well, when we were "sold" on the build , that wall was not in the blueprint, which is why I had originally planned for a 2 post. We were told later by the builder that it was required, so I had to make the best of it.

 

[Don1357]

You may need a beam and support column(s) but not necessarily a wall. If that's a possibility it would open the place a lot, specially if you ever do the lift. With the wall, the lift has to be away from it x-number of feet. Without the wall, even with columns, you can put it a lot closer to that line recovering a lot of useful space on the other side.

 

[S7INGR4Y]

You may need a beam and support column(s) but not necessarily a wall. If that's a possibility it would open the place a lot, specially if you ever do the lift. With the wall, the lift has to be away from it x-number of feet. Without the wall, even with columns, you can put it a lot closer to that line recovering a lot of useful space on the other side.

Thats a good point. Just not something I'm considering doing on a brand new house currently. There is some benefit to having the wall there though, in that my wife doesn't have to trip over car parts and her car won't be coated in fiberglass dust. I do have the lift now (just uploaded the rest of the pics)

 

[S7INGR4Y]

Quick update. Finally got the car to the new garage and on the lift. Unfortunately, I was not able to roll the lift back tight against the wall once the car was on it. This is mainly due to the casters cratering into the pvc flooring under the weight of the car. I may try to place some smooth steel plates under the casters and see if that allows them to roll, otherwise the truck is kicked out of the garage currently.

I will do a full review once I have more time with it, but quick impressions of the Triumph 8klb lift:. It lifts quickly, became very stable despite not being bolted to the floor, and you have to be very sure that all 4 safety latches have engaged when lowering the lift on them. This is the only real issue I have noticed so far, but I do feel it is important to note, because I had issues with one of the latches not engaging and allowing that corner to continue to lower.

 

[sleek98]

The nut on the very top of the column is the adjuster for the height. If one column is not clicking in tighten up that column until it does. You don’t want to let it sink.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[S7INGR4Y]

The nut on the very top of the column is the adjuster for the height. If one column is not clicking in tighten up that column until it does. You don’t want to let it sink.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

Yeah, the installer levelled everything out for me. The issue I ran into was that one of the latches did not catch/binding in that mechanism. I just had to raise the lift back up and lower it back down again. Not a deal breaker for me, but definitely something I will be paying close attention to when using the lift.

 

[CombatNinja]

I have nothing productive to offer so I will say that your wooden flag thing displays the flag incorrectly and it annoys me. Carry on.

 

[S7INGR4Y]

I have nothing productive to offer so I will say that your wooden flag thing displays the flag incorrectly and it annoys me. Carry on.

They are ******** boards. That is just where I decided to hang them.

 

[PileDriver]

They are ******** boards. That is just where I decided to hang them.

It's pretty obvious they are ******** boards and not a flag display, so not sure why that critical comment popped up.

As a fellow Vette enthusiast, it will be fun comparing progress on our projects.

The garage looks good! I'm jealous of the lift.

 

[ovscrider]

Clearly the ******** board maker should have accounted for how they would be looked at when up against a wall and reversed it to be appropriate.

 

[el monte slim]

Some ******** boards are best viewed from behind...

 

[metalhead140]

Looks good. What's the plans for the Vette (I've got a '79)?

 

[S7INGR4Y]

It's pretty obvious they are ******** boards and not a flag display, so not sure why that critical comment popped up.

As a fellow Vette enthusiast, it will be fun comparing progress on our projects.

The garage looks good! I'm jealous of the lift.

Thanks, that is quite a stable you've got there!

Looks good. What's the plans for the Vette (I've got a '79)?

Sorry, I haven't looked at this thread in a while. I'm doing a small scale pro-touring type build. Vb&p performance plus suspension with ridetech shocks, WC T5 5 speed out of a 3rd gen F-body, CIC flares fenders, 18x10 front wheels 18x12 rear. It will be a slow process, as I'm taking my time cleaning things up and replacing some old/worn parts as I go. What's in store for the 79?

I finished getting the front suspension mounted over the weekend (pictured).

For a quick update: I picked up 2 sliding bridge jacks used for a great deal, from another member on here, and they have been great at giving me 2 post capability on the four post lift.

So far, I have exposed the pvc flooring to hydraulic and brake fluid, grease, and wire brushed surface rust/debris, with no signs of staining or discoloration. I'm still really happy with the Norsk tiles.

 

[rmmiller]

Just saw this one on a farcebook group page I follow. Minus those silly *** fender stripes I really like it. First of the late 70's/80's C3 I have looked at and liked, it looks much more sporty and less whale like.

I am also adding the wall between bays in our new house, will help keep the dailies clean just like you mentioned.