Two post lift for storage? As well as work.

[mhulbrock]

Hey guys, just curious if any thing like this exists. I had no luck searching online.
I would like to use a standard two post lift, that I already own, for storage.
Now, I know many people simply part a car under the already hoisted up car. But for long term storage, I would rather have the lifted car supported by the wheels and suspension, not the chassis.

I am envisioning a platform for each side of the vehicle that goes into the lift arm in place of the lifting pads. Allowing the car to drive on the the platforms and then raised up. These can be easily removed when needing the lift for work.

What do you think?

 

[pattenp]

There is a post on here where someone fabricated adapters that lifted by the tires. Good luck finding the post.

Found it.....

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=187668&highlight=tire+adapters

 

[dmeadow]

I think there was another post that indicated that Mohawk sells an adaptor for their lifts that will pick up cars by the tires.

 

[mhulbrock]

Great info in the other thread, thank you. Looks like nothing off the shelf tho.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I was driving in Tampa one time and I saw a nice Bendpak four post lift, just loaded with ****....I did my best Charlie Brown yell and kept going...

 

[cyamaha2007]

A friend of mine set up his car with temporary axle limiting straps. He installed the straps at ride height and then put the car on his 2 post for the winter. This keeps the suspension loaded a takes some wear off the suspension.

 

[jjpp]

A friend of mine set up his car with temporary axle limiting straps. He installed the straps at ride height and then put the car on his 2 post for the winter. This keeps the suspension loaded a takes some wear off the suspension.

That is as close to ideal as I can think of. No load on the tires and about a normal load in the suspension.

 

[MG44]

I don't buy all the suspension bs. I collect old Toyotas and my pride and joy is on a lift up in there (aka where it can't get scratched, or anything sat on) in my personal garage 8 months out of the year. When I bring it down in the summer, the suspension is fine. I have been doing this for 5 years now with that car.

If you suspension can't handle being "suspended" on a lift then there is something wrong with the suspension in the first place and it was going to fail sooner then later.

 

[nehog]

First, I lift my VW for the winter and never had any problems. I inspect it carefully before putting it back in service and note no degradation or problems lifting by the frame. YMMV, however!

I think Rotary also offers ramps for their two post lifts. They do say you have to de-rate the lift by the weight of the ramps (that won't be that much.)

 

[JMartens]

I'm using my two post lift for storage. My TA sits up there for up to a month between drivings. I'm not worry about any damage to my suspension from it hanging but then I built it and know what parts were used. I also like that my high performance tires don't flat spot.

For easier on and off for driving it more, I've designed a set of ramps that sit over the arms and secure through the pad holes. They'll be 16 inches wide and 4 inches tall on both sides and 10 foot long. Price for the material and bending is under $200. I also laid out the arms and the lift pads will actually be sitting under the wheels as the wheels sit on the ramps. This should keep from introducing any unexpected torque to the lift and essentially the ramps are just for driving on and off.

Hope to have them in place in a month or two as the garage budget catches up. I'll be sure to post pics when I get them done.

 

[dmeadow]

I think it depends on the car. My XKE and my former XJS both had IRS suspensions held onto the body with four rubber mounts. As heavy as the IRS is, I wouldn't want it hanging off those mounts for extended periods.