Help me decide. I'm a hobbyist-level wrench at best, and I have two main goals:

#1: Would like to be able to get some more work done without setting up the jack stands and rolling around on the floor.

#2: The ability to "stack" cars would be nice for space purposes.

I've got a shop space that holds 6 vehicles comfortably, 7 if I cram. I'm not a professional mechanic and have no delusions of becoming one. I really don't like rolling around underneath cars on a creeper, and with cars like the Trans Am and Corvette, they're so low that full access under jack stands makes me very uncomfortable. So I feel like I could probably do more myself if I put the car in the air.

My wife and family have been kind enough to offer to come together to get me a lift as a birthday gift. It's something I've been kicking around for a few years now.

On the one hand, I think there is a real convenience factor to the 4-post lift because you can get them with caster kits so they can be rolled around, and it's theoretically easier to just drive onto the ramps and then hoist the car.

On the other hand, there would seem to be plenty of cases where having full access to the underneath of the car, or to be able to take the car off its wheels, would be a great benefit.

So help me decide, won't you? I appreciate any good advice, especially from anyone who's made this decision before.

TIA!

 

2 post hands down IMO. All that access underneath and it takes all of a minute to set the arms up. Plus they're still pretty darn sturdy (If hoisted properly of course) Having access to the underside is the goal right? Why get a lift just to cover all that work room back up.

plus you can still stack cars with a 2 post

 

Both have advantages and disadvantages but in a small home garage, the 2 post is better. It takes up less space and allows better movement under the car.

4 post takes up a lot more room and you still need to lift the car after raising the hoist if you need to take the tires off etc.

We have 1 two post and two 4 post lifts at work. The 4 post is a pain after you've lifted the vehicle and need to do something near the sides. The platforms are always in the way.

If my garage at home had enough ceiling height, I'd have the car sitting up on a 2 post.

 

Each has advantages and disadvantages.

For a 2-post, try opening the door with your car sitting up on one before you buy it.

A 4-post uses up ALOT more of the floor but is more stable in a general way.

Either is VASTLY better than the old Rotary 1-post.

A good bit of the decision comes down to what you expect to use it for. Exhaust, suspension, body work, changing tires or doing brakes, ... different ones are better suited to different tasks.

 

I'm not sure stacking cars on a 2 post for months at a time is a good idea.

 

Two post all the way. Just make sure your shop floor is thick enough to support the lift though. Nothing like going to set the lift up and finding out the floor is too thin...

 

Floor thickness is important. Must be like 6" steel reinforced.

Get a 10k. Don't buy a cheap no name Chinese affair. Get a Bendpak, etc. ALI certified. If you have an accident involving someone other than yourself the insurance company will have your *** if it's not safety rated.

I buy direct from Bendpak. If you are a Vetran I can put you in touch with someone high up at Bendpak corporate. He's a member over on garage journal and hooked me up with a direct sale at discount for the 5th lift in my shop. Was about $3k delivered to the loading dock. Install was easy - had my intern do it in a day. Rent a rotary hammer.

GD

 

Another vote for twin post. Love my rotary

 

Thanks all! I appreciate the advice! Looks like a pretty clear consensus for 2-post. FWIW, I don't plan to store a car - any car - for months at a time on it. I have a rule about the cars, which is they run & drive and get actively driven in a rotation unless they're actively being worked on. No sitting and rotting. And here in Texas, we're fortunate to have fairly cooperative weather for that year-round, so nothing gets laid up for the winter, etc. In other words, it's occasional stacking only that we would be doing. Not long-term.

 

If your garage is large enough, I would recommend a 4-post. Although you can anchor it down, it is not necessary. My lift came with casters which enable it to be moved. I have moved mine around inside the garage as needed and it works great. Major complaints are 1) that you must transfer weight to jack stands to remove tires and 2) the treads can be in the way working along the sides (under the doors). The mechanical locks on each post enable long term stacking with no problem.

 

Which lift do you have?