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So next month we will be moving into a new home. Some how we found a house with a tandum 3 car garage with pretty high ceilings (9'-10'), of course the rest of the house is pretty nice too. The biggest problem is that the garage door to the house is in the back of the 3rd bay so it will be tight to always walk past the Camaro on the way into the house, so I made a comment to my wife just dreaming that we could get a lift for the car to make room for walking under and some of the extra kid stuff/bikes, and she said that was a good idea! I can't believe it, not only with this move are we getting a little extra money that is allowing me to get my Camaro runnig (its been not running for almost 10 years) but to be able to get a lift for it.
So now for my question! Anyone have any recomendation for a 4 post lift? It needs to fit in the narrow part of the garage, about 9'6" wide and needs be pretty tall since we will be walking under normally and I"m 6'2". I'm hopping to keep it down to around $2000 which seems to be the low end of the lifts I can find online. And then the last question is about shipping them any ideas since most seem to be sent by freight?
Thanks, David
Call Brian at @ WWW.asedeals.com I got a killer deal on a Dannmar lift. Also try WWW.big boys toys garage.com ( think I got the site right) Scott seemed good to WK with
Big thing to pay attention to on 4 post lifts is the locks. So have issues with all releasing at same time the the car crashes as coming down cause 1 post stopped...
Big thing to pay attention to on 4 post lifts is the locks. So have issues with all releasing at same time the the car crashes as coming down cause 1 post stopped...
I prefer something American made myself. Look for ALI (American Lift Institute) Certification. I like the bigger names in the business, as there's a better chance they will be around, and offer parts in the future. Look at accessories offered (ramps, wheel kits, 120/240 variable power for the pump motor, trays to catch leaks, cross beams for lifting/jacking, lighting is a big thing now. Look at the weight of the lift, add the weight of your car(s), and make sure your slab is up to the job. Just some thought starters....
I like these lifts, I like the accessories that come standard and seam to be the right size for my use. Which model(s) did you get? And how did shipping work? I would suspect I would need to pick up at a terminal or something, between cost of shipping and I doubt one of the large trucks would be allowed in the new neighborhood!
The 8S. Luckily I have a neighbour who owns a well drilling business, so they delivered them to him and he unloaded them with his fork lift. One of them we moved piece by piece the other two he just drove over with the fork lift. It is nice that they come with a basically full set of accessories.
Never had a lift shipped but I have had large freight items shipped to my home before like large air compressor, etc. You have to pay the $50-100 extra price for residential shipping and lift gate truck. It comes on an 18 wheeler and he gets as close to where you want it dropped as he can. Then lets the lift gate down which is still about 3' off the ground but perfect for loading into a pickup or onto a car trailer. You then unload the stuff... Most driver's will help with this.
A lift gate will not do for this job.
We are talking about an 1800 lbs lift (2 post) and I'm sure the 4 post is SIGNIFICANTLY heavier than that.
Each post of my lift weighed a good 6-700 pounds.
Good luck getting a driver to help you move that.
A 9" ceiling doesn't cut it for a 2 post, so he'd need to be very careful. Also, he would need to make sure the slab is thick enough and rated high enough. A lot more things to worry about with a 2 post compared to a 4 post. 4 post is just put it together and you're good to go. My 2 post sat for nearly a year before I installed it, mostly because I had to work up the nerve to drill a bunch of holes in my floor.
Yup, I can't really remember how the 4 posts were packaged, but I believe it was about the same as the 2 post with the legs bolts to large metal brackets to make it all one large assembly.
A 9" ceiling doesn't cut it for a 2 post, so he'd need to be very careful. Also, he would need to make sure the slab is thick enough and rated high enough. A lot more things to worry about with a 2 post compared to a 4 post. 4 post is just put it together and you're good to go. My 2 post sat for nearly a year before I installed it, mostly because I had to work up the nerve to drill a bunch of holes in my floor.
I would love a 2 post for easy service, but with it mainly for storage and I'm sure I wouldn't have the slab thickness needed, plus I don't think I will have the extra hight and width needed, a 4 post is what I'm looking at.
I did a lot of research on lifts before purchasing, when we were having our new garage built. Ended up going with the Powerrex 8000lb 4 post. Came with the drip pans, casters, and jack tray. I resourced mine thru a local distributor and got them delivered and installed for under 5k for two.
I learned that most brands of lifts outsource the parts from overseas, so basically the structures are the same with different names, colors, etc. The hydraulic units can be different, some made in USA, others not.
The safety factor is important, you want one with locking pins on all 4 corners, not locking tabs.
The only true 100% USA made lift AFAIK, is Backyard Buddy, out of Warren, Oh. The start at about 7k, and are made to order. When I inquired, they were about 7 weeks out.
A 4 post lift is better for basic storage, where you may only use it occasionally, we probably use ours once or twice a week in car season and then they are parked during winter. Have had no problems and the lifts are just over 2 yrs old.
I was told for a 2 post, the concrete should be 10 inches thick, where it is bolted to the floor.
I don't know if you can find what you need for 2k, with delivery it may run you a little more. Hope this info helps.
A 9" ceiling doesn't cut it for a 2 post, so he'd need to be very careful.
9'10" isnt going to give him enough room to walk under the car upright anyways.
You are right about it not being enough for a 2 post, for some reason I thought it was taller.
Its been so nice to have, i would literally think about lowering the garage floor (if possible) to allow him to lift it up all the way
9'10" isnt going to give him enough room to walk under the car upright anyways.
You are right about it not being enough for a 2 post, for some reason I thought it was taller.
Its been so nice to have, i would literally think about lowering the garage floor (if possible) to allow him to lift it up all the way
Different strokes, I suppose. I like the 4 posts better for most day to day things.
Thank you all for your input, I now have some people to contact to see which one I will go for, I have a few that I like but right now unless I figure out a solution to make shipping easier which one I get maybe the one that is easiest on the shipping side, they all seam pretty similar as a whole!
At least right now I don't want to redo the slab so that solidifies that a 4 post is the way to go at this point.
If you aren't in too much of a hurry wait and find someone offering free shipping. I didn't pay to have mine shipped.
*edit* Though I see they have a Colorado Springs location.
The Colorado Springs location would be 1-1.5 hrs away so it wouldn't be too bad, but they say there is still a fee involved not sure the cost on that yet. When the units are around 1500lbs unless there is a local distributor I'm sure shipping will be pricey!
each lift company will specify the certain concrete specs for each lift. when we put in our 10k lb mohawk 2 post which is 4000psi contrete @ 4.5in thick. we poured between 6-8in to be extra safe even though the bolts only go so far down into the concrete.
10ft ceilings will not be enough for a 6ft guy to walk under. a camaro has to be atleast 50in tall, you will likely only be able to get the car half way up with a 10ft ceiling.
An american made Rotary SP that is a 1984 model. It spent 25+ years full time service until we closed the shop, and it's been at my residence ever since. Never changed a part on it. Works flawlessly. Uses ATF.
I also had a Nubaum (german made) 2 post asymetrical lift. It was nice, you could alter the height of either side, had locking arms, fancy electronic safties, etc. It's a 1986 model and has had a few components changed. Again, when we closed the shop that went to my cousins residence.
I've never owned a 4 post lift, but I'm also thinking of picking one up eventually. I want to build a 32x60 building out back and move the shop into that. I could use the 4 post for alignments quick oil changes/service, and leave the 2 post for long term projects.
An american made Rotary SP that is a 1984 model. It spent 25+ years full time service until we closed the shop, and it's been at my residence ever since. Never changed a part on it. Works flawlessly. Uses ATF.
I also had a Nubaum (german made) 2 post asymetrical lift. It was nice, you could alter the height of either side, had locking arms, fancy electronic safties, etc. It's a 1986 model and has had a few components changed. Again, when we closed the shop that went to my cousins residence.
I've never owned a 4 post lift, but I'm also thinking of picking one up eventually. I want to build a 32x60 building out back and move the shop into that. I could use the 4 post for alignments quick oil changes/service, and leave the 2 post for long term projects.
-- Joe
smart, the 4 post is great for fluid changes & trans work but that's about it. I just use my 4 post to store cars, easily fitting 2 cars in 1 spot as long as you have 10-12 ft ceilings
I have a rotary 4 post, no complaints except that suspension work on it isn't the easiest. then again suspension parts are heavy so doing them on jack stands isn't so bad, i wouldn't want to lift them very far. Brakes and outboard assembly work is the main issue I have with a 4 post. (or removing the engine from the bottom)
However, our cars are really tight underneath and I am glad I have a 4 post for setting pinion angle, doing alignments, ride height adjustments, exhaust, running custom brake lines, etc. - all of which need to be with the car on 4 wheels
I agree with the post above, 10' ceiling height is not enough to walk under the lift, you have the height of the car + 12" of lift thickness, plus at least 6" of head clearance. a 12' ceiling would work much better. (my shop is 16')
07-18-2015, 11:50 PM
I can't believe it, not only with this move are we getting a little extra money that is allowing me to get my Camaro runnig (its been not running for almost 10 years) but to be able to get a lift for it. 
