Do Any Oppos Even Lift?

"Tripper" (tripe46) 07/05/2017 at 15:39 • Filed to: None

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I’m still scratching my head as to why I wasn’t more vigilant in my quest for a garage when I bought my first home a few years ago. I’m currently working with a one lane driveway. We are fishing for quotes to add a garage, and have the driveway widened. In that garage there will be a lift! However, the first couple of people we have contacted about the project have “never heard of such a thing” or, said “what? Like an elevator?” “Yes, but an elevator for car.” I replied. They weren’t getting it. I’m thinking I’ll be needing a 4 post lift, as I plan to store a car up there at least some of the time, but I will also be using it for wrenching.

Do any of you have a lift, or any of you that work in a shop know much about them? Do I need a stronger floor than you average garage? Should I go with a two post? My vision is a setup like the above, but sacrificing overhead storage for a taller lift. M3 up top, Forester underneath, Ranger/Motos/Activities to the right 

I’m thinking maybe I can install it myself? Here is the one I’ve been eyeing.

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awmaster10 > Tripper 07/05/2017 at 15:43

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Had no clue you could get a lift for that cheap. Well...not cheap but affordable. I cannot wait to be able to have a lift in the garage. Makes wrenching so much more pleasurable.

CB > Tripper 07/05/2017 at 15:46

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ClownshoePilot has one.

benjrblant > Tripper 07/05/2017 at 15:46

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Not entirely sure, but as a “storage lift” does this model have a pneumatic lift if you want to get the wheels off the diamond plate runways? i.e. any kind of suspension work or rotating tires? website pics make it appear that it’s suitable for storage only.

WilliamsSW > Tripper 07/05/2017 at 15:46

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I have nothing to add, but am interested in this, too - we plan to build a house next year, and this is something that I’m considering adding.

I’m also wondering if you need additional ceiling height to fit? The photo you posted just happens to have 2 fairly low profile cars -

Honeybunchesofgoats > Tripper 07/05/2017 at 15:47

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“I want a lift.”

“Wot, like an eleva’or, guv?”

There’s your problem. Never hire British contractors.

Tripper > awmaster10 07/05/2017 at 15:48

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Yea I thought 5k+ for sure. However, the reason I’m asking is because I don’t know what if any hidden costs there are. Can my electrical panel handle the motor? With the floor be strong enough? Honestly if I I can manage this myself/with a buddy it’s a done deal.

JGrabowMSt > Tripper 07/05/2017 at 15:48

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I don’t personally have one, but several friends of mine have four post lifts at home. Typical Bendpak or comparable lift goes for around $3500-5000 or so. Installation costs can vary depending on who you purchase from and if you have it permanently mounted (not exactly required for a four post, but never a bad idea).

I know it’s a little more than what you linked, but I trust my life to a Bendpak.

MonkeePuzzle > Tripper 07/05/2017 at 15:48

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things this picture taught me:

1: I want a lift

2: I want a lotus not a bloated parsh

3: australian bicycles

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > Tripper 07/05/2017 at 15:49

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A lift. For cars. Like in a mechanic’s shop.

crowmolly > Tripper 07/05/2017 at 15:50

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Do any of you have a lift, or any of you that work in a shop know much about them? Sure. Check out superlifts.com. Rotary and Bendpak are super nice but may not be worth it for a hobbyist.

Do I need a stronger floor than you average garage? If you install a 2-post and want it bolted to the ground for safety your slab needs to be in good condition and thick enough.   If you are pouring a new slab for the garage you can have “lift pads” designed in to it. 4 post is fine as-is.

Should I go with a two post? 2-post for frequent work, 4 post for less frequent work/storage. Also depends on power to your garage. The 2 post one I use is 30A 220V. The 4 post is 15A 110V. If you want to have a welder/compressor/electric car I’d go all-in on 220 and get the garage set up for that.   If you go 2 post, get high-lift jack stands to go with it. If you go 4 post, get the aluminum ramps vs. steel.

I’m thinking maybe I can install it myself? You absolutely can.

Edit: PS, make sure they install tall rails for your garage doors. Nobody wants scratches on their deck lid.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > awmaster10 07/05/2017 at 15:50

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The installation and the high ceiling requirements are where they get you.

Tripper > JGrabowMSt 07/05/2017 at 15:51

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Yea $3500+ is what I guessed before I started looking. Totally agree on lift quality, it has to be trustworthy. Not risking my anyone’s life or seriously damaging two cars/my garage over a cheaper lift.

Michael > Tripper 07/05/2017 at 15:51

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Don’t quote me, but I’m pretty sure a 4 post can be put on almost any existing or new concrete (because the loads are all “down”), but a 2 post is going to require some thicker concrete (due to the torque load on it)

Tripper > WilliamsSW 07/05/2017 at 15:52

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Yea, they’ve got an attic though, which I would be omitting (at least over one bay) for the sake of cars.

Nibby > Tripper 07/05/2017 at 15:52

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no my truck is not lifted

Tripper > benjrblant 07/05/2017 at 15:53

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I dunno about this one, but great point. Something to add to the checklist.

diplodicus > Tripper 07/05/2017 at 15:53

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bendpak faq has a section about concrete requirements.

http://www.bendpak.com/support/frequently-asked-questions/

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Tripper 07/05/2017 at 15:53

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If you are building a garage as part of the process it shouldn’t be to hard to have it built to accommodate the lift.

Tripper > diplodicus 07/05/2017 at 15:55

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Awesome, thanks!

crowmolly > benjrblant 07/05/2017 at 15:55

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Jack bridge goes across the middle. You lift from that to get wheels in the air.

WilliamsSW > Tripper 07/05/2017 at 15:56

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Yeah, that’s what I’m thinking - raise the ceiling height on the end bay and give up some attic space. I’d want to use it for both storage and wrenching, but tbh, it’d mostly be storage.

For Sweden > Tripper 07/05/2017 at 15:57

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If you have to lift you need better tires or more downforce

theloudmouth > Tripper 07/05/2017 at 15:57

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We’re building it into the new 3-car 11' ceiling attached garage. Be careful about the ceiling height, 12' is ideal but it would add too much to our build for the extra foot due to existing structures. If you want to work on the car a 4-post is less than ideal as it’s hard to drop anything, do any suspension work, brake services, etc. I’m actually doing an Atlas in ground scissor because 90% of the time it will not be in use and there is almost nothing running between the pinch welds of the body of most cars. The 2 post gets annoying and in the way most of the time of the doors and you have to drive over it unless you have 12' ceilings. I’d also recommend Rotary if you’re going 2/4 post, they’re more than Bendpak but the Bendpak a friend has is complete junk compared to my other friend’s Rotary and the above ground Rotary’s aren’t bad. Just decide if you’re storing or working, since a 4 post really doesn’t do much other than get in the way of most jobs.

Tripper > WilliamsSW 07/05/2017 at 15:58

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Yea I’m in the same boat...75% storage, 25% wrenchin’. However I want to make sure it’s fully capable for wrenching, like where I can get the wheels off the surface etc.

PartyPooper2012 > Tripper 07/05/2017 at 15:59

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A mechanic I know uses a two post system outdoors. I asked him several times if it would rust or get affected by elements. He claims no, but I don’t buy it. Perfect though. Still have use of garage while your car is up on the lift.

I was looking at portable lifts for a while - you slide a lift on either side of the car and it lifts using hydraulics and a 110v system. I was a little concerned that it might not fit under Mini.

Then eventually came to decision that even if it fit under mini, it would not lift high enough.

4 post system seems to limit you in what you can access under the car. Need extra lift system if you want to get to brakes or something.

2 post system I would die happy with.

I think next year.

I can already hear my wife shaking her head and screaming her “why do we need that” question

avalonian > Tripper 07/05/2017 at 15:59

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Tavarish did a video on this. You might want to check it out!

Tripper > theloudmouth 07/05/2017 at 16:01

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Hmm, these are good points. I’d love to go 4 post in one bay and 2 in the other, but I think that’s pushing it for this project with the garage build and all. If we end up moving to a place that already has a garage, then I might be able to swing that.

nerd_racing > Tripper 07/05/2017 at 16:05

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I have an older Rotary brand 2 post lift that I still have to install. I also have to run 220 volt to my garage to use it.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Tripper 07/05/2017 at 16:14

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Yeah, we put a 2 post in my grandfather’s RV garage. It is perfect.

Shitty cell phone picture of my Fiero on the lift a few years back.

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > Tripper 07/05/2017 at 17:00

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Also, the lift manufacturer will be able to provide requirements for the footing, clearance left/right and up, etc. Pass them along to the contractor and they should be able to prep the structure for it.

Tripper > PartyPooper2012 07/05/2017 at 17:12

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Outside!? That’s nuts!

Yea I’m really struggling with the “do I need the storage? aspect” because I definitely don’t want to be limited when it comes to wrenching. On the other hand my wife wants a spot in the garage, the M3 is definitely going in the garage, and once the Audi goes I will be in the market for a project that will need to go in the garage...The Ranger can sleep outside.

Luckily my wife knows what she signed up for haha.

MM54 > Tripper 07/05/2017 at 18:10

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At some point (oh the mythical ‘some day) I intend to add on to my garage, and by that I mean add three more stalls off the back (perpendicular to the road), the far one would get a 4-post, the middle a 2-post, and the nearest would be a fabrication/machine shop space. If I had to pick one, though, I’d probably go with a 2 post, but that’s because I do a ton of wrenching and my existing garage is only a 10' ceiling.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Tripper 07/05/2017 at 18:11

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I wish I had a garage, my Z is low sonic would be perfect to lift up.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > PartyPooper2012 07/05/2017 at 19:49

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The issue with 2 post is you are not supposed to store cars on them, so if you want to use it for parking like the picture above, you have to get a 4 post.

The Snowman > Tripper 07/05/2017 at 20:13

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I had my garage floor built extra thick with more rebar and stronger concrete so it can accommodate a lift but now that I see it in the comments I may need a two next to a four post in the back of my two car wide two deep garage.

His Stigness > Tripper 07/06/2017 at 01:59

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It looks like someone already linked a FAQ for the concrete, hopefully that helps. But a simple answer to your question is yes, you need special concrete to install a lift safely.

In regards to what kind of lift, it depends on ceiling height. A four post should work most garages, but you’ll be limited in how far you can go up; I doubt you’ll ever be able to stand up underneath the car.

But the biggest drawback with a four post is you’ll need trolley jacks if you want to do anything wheel or suspension related, and I believe trolley jacks can be quite expensive, so a two post would be a cheaper option. But the problem with the two post will be parking underneath. That can be solved, though, if the garage is long enough and the parked car can go forward or back enough to avoid opening onto the posts.

Also, you may not be able to fit a Forester underneath the lift. The picture you posted looks like a typical garage, and both of those cars are low, and it does not look like a Forester would fit under there, so something else to keep in mind when building this new garage.

Now, having said all of that, I would try and go with a two post lift, because working on a four post with trolley jacks is a pain in the ass when doing most things. I can probably count on one hand when a four post is better than a two post. There’s a reason shops use two posts and only have one four post, if they have one at all.

Hope that helps!

PartyPooper2012 > Tripper 07/06/2017 at 06:39

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I have too many tools in my garage to fit anything to be stored in it. I wish I could make the garage 2-3 times bigger. Taller too.

At 3500 price, as a mechanic, I am sure he can justify it being outside. He needs extra space for mechanics to wrench. He makes decent money every time a car is up on a lift. Let it burn but make some money off it.

For you and I, it makes no sense at all. It will rust faster than we can brake our cars and use it to fix them

PartyPooper2012 > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! 07/06/2017 at 06:55

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Yeah. I don’t think I need to store anything on a lift so I am ok with that

shop-teacher > Tripper 07/06/2017 at 09:39

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The spec sheet for the lift should list how thick the floor needs to be and what kind of electric it needs. Be sure the garage is built to that spec or better.