Wall height and 2 post lift

[littleboss]

Looking to build a new shop and install a 2 post lift. Most call for 144-145" height. I only want 10' or 12' side walls. Has anybody basically put a raised ceiling section above the lift and had the rest of the ceiling lower? I don't want 14' walls. That's way too much too heat and cool.
Maybe cathedral trusses so only part of the shop has more height?

Thanks

 

[firebirdparts]

yes, a lot of people. 12' is gracious plenty as the distance from the frame to the roof on a big vehicle is not all that far. 4' is a lot. A big van maybe 5'. I just mention that as you can have the top cable connection up in the attic (no structural features), but have a ceiling at 12' and you can't easily crowd that. That is the first and most basic method of cheating. With a two post lift, you don't raise the tires 6' and walk under the tires. You just raise the frame 6'.

Second level cheating would be say 10' walls and a partial cathedral ceiling.

 

[67King]

I actually had one in an 8' garage. Obviously could not stand under the car, but better than jackstands (and I was able to stack two 944/968's).

Cut hole in ceiling, put posts up in there, then drywalled back around them.

 

[u2slow]

I have an extra foot of concrete stem wall to help the ceiling height.

 

[TurnipTruck]

My prior garage had 10’ walls and scissor trusses in the lift bay with a 144.25” tall 10k Bendpak centered front to rear in a 24’ deep building.

 

[dave*99]

There are many options. Scissors truss, coffered, cathedral or tray ceilings, low ceiling lifts etc.

Which direction will your ceiling joists run? Can you do a 12' ceiling and box a section up between the joists? Another 8" of height just where the lift cross beam sits will make it all fit. A 10' ceiling is not ideal.

GJ has many threads and user photos of these various options.

 

[Vintage Smoke]

Many of the lifts are offered in a height that is just under 12' specifically to fit in shops with 12' walls. Double check what's available.
Make sure that your engineering/plans/construction allows for a FULL 12' wall height AFTER concrete is poured at the thickness you plan on pouring. I did a pole barn which required the floor to be poured after the building was built. Thank god I went over the plans with a fine tooth comb. I planned on a 6" slab and the pole barn company had my skirt board (which becomes the outer concrete form) set for a 4" slab. I had to make them correct the plans and therefore the construction of the building to accommodate. I also had the concrete poured extra thick where I wanted the lift to be.
If you are doing a trussed roof, see what your truss spacing will be. I was able to position my lift between trusses so if my ceiling came up a bit short I could box out or raise the section of ceiling between the trusses to accommodate lift height.

 

[CraigStu]

To me the easiest by far is some type of scissor truss. 3-4 of them and the rest normal trusses. Very easy to install just like standard trusses so no special skills needed in the construction crew. My friend did all scissor trusses as he had a 4 post lift and wanted to be able to put it in any of his 3 bays.

BTW the garage was built by 3 old guys but we had 2 extra old guys for the truss install.

 

[sz0k30]

I have a pole barn with 12' walls. 2 post lift. No problem at all. The tops of the posts and crossbar are between the 2' on center rafters.

 

[Scud67]

My lift is in an area that has an 11' 6" ceiling. No problem lifting cars or trucks. The posts are only 9' 3" tall.

 

[dave*99]

My lift is in an area that has an 11' 6" ceiling. No problem lifting cars or trucks. The posts are only 9' 3" tall.

Many lifts of that size have a floor plate covering the cables.
A clear floor lift will be taller

 

[Scud67]

Many lifts of that size have a floor plate covering the cables.
A clear floor lift will be taller

That's true, but is that an issue? It certainly isn't in my case.

 

[BobnCO]

My red iron building is 10’ sidewalls with approximately 3/12 roof so something close to 14’ at the peak inside, and my just under 12’ lift fits fine between the peak and the outside wall. As has been posted if you build with scissor trusses it simple math to figure out what will work.

 

[dave*99]

That's true, but is that an issue? It certainly isn't in my case.

If I was contemplating a new building and asking how high I should make the ceiling as the OP is doing, I'd want to know there are clear floor and floor plate lifts so I could make an informed decision.

 

[Scud67]

I agree, but I think he said his side wall height was the restriction - I was just giving another option.

 

[Pontiac787]

You can run your foundation walls a few inches above the floor or use an extra footer to get the 12’ clearance. Assuming you are framing with 12’ studs.

 

[Skooterj]

I did one row of block(8 inches) double sill plate (3 inches) 10 foot wall studs (120 inches) double top plate(3 inches) and 3/12, 24 foot wide scissor trusses(36 inches). So my ceiling highest point is 170 inches(14 feet 2 inches). I plan on getting a taller 4 post lift and centering my MGB on the lift below the scissor trusses.

 

[carcruse]

I agree, 12 ft. is tight for a 2 post. I stick built my garage. Walls consist of a 6" stem wall, bottom plate, 2x6x12 studs and 2 top plates. Gives me 12'-10-1/2" ceiling height. I have about 10 inches between lift post and ceiling. You could adjust the stem wall height so the lift cleared the lift post and the ceiling is closer to 12 feet.