Which would you rather - Lift Edition

"GRawesome" (GRawesome) 02/24/2014 at 16:30 • Filed to: None

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There has been a lot of talk about garages on Oppo lately, I too am planning to build a bigger garage at home soon and, as any proper Jalop would, I want to put in a lift. But which to go with 2 post or 4 post? So, which would you prefer 2 or 4 and why?

Photo credit: BendPak.com

It's a "Porch-uh" > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 16:33

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2-post so I can do suspension work. Don't really see the point in a 4-post for most projects.

Echo51 > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 16:33

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Put up a 4 post this weekend instead of a 6 feet hole in the floor. It's lovely, but hard to do panel rust repairs on, so we have a center post lift for that :)

EL_ULY > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 16:34

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2 posts

Because FWD car subframes (engine/trans cradle) and tire rotarions!

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 16:34

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Two post
Much more usability.

crowmolly > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 16:34

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I can answer this with authority as the shop I'm at has both.

4 post is great if you are storing the car and want to fit another underneath. And you work on the car every now and then. Get aluminum ramps for the front if you go this route, and if you are tall you are going to learn some lessons pretty quick.

2 post is great for actually spinning wrenches constantly. Not for storing a car. Get the high lift jack stands for safety.

If you go 2 post you need to anchor it to the floor, and your concrete needs to be able to take the pull.

crowmolly > It's a "Porch-uh" 02/24/2014 at 16:37

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You can use a jack bridge, and for doing some suspension work (subframe connnectors as an example) the car needs to be loaded on the wheels.

GRawesome > Echo51 02/24/2014 at 16:37

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Nice setup, especially the 2 different lifts! Ideally one would have a 4 post for storage and a 2 post for suspension work.

 > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 16:38

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4 post. I want as much support as I can get and it's safer to use.

For Sweden > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 16:40

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Four post for storage, two post for maintenance.

bob and john > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 16:41

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id say go with a 4.

GRawesome > crowmolly 02/24/2014 at 16:42

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I do like the fact that I could roll a 4 post around anywhere in the garage and rearrange as needed. Mounting a 2 post has never really appealed to me since it doesn't give you a lot of options in the future. I have been leaning towards the 4, partly because it opens up the floor space for another car and you can do moderate work on one. Can't really store a car on a 2-post and it takes up a whole bay.

It's a "Porch-uh" > crowmolly 02/24/2014 at 16:42

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For those rare occasions I'd rather use a tall transmission jack or something to hold the suspension up (or course, being careful not to flip the car over).

crowmolly > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 16:44

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We have the wheel kit and have never used it.

How aggressive are your projects?

The one we've got is a Superior SR-7h. I've helped put up a few of them, they are very well built. Runs on 110V. The two post runs on 220, FWIW.

Dunnik > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 16:45

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Just like the picture says, if I had a simple and light track day car and not so much space, I'd definitely go with the 4-post. Otherwise, there's a reason 2-post is the standard lift in garages, yes?

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 16:46

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My dad and I have a 4 post for storage. Good for some maintenance, but obviously not anything you would normally need a jack for. What's nice about it is it runs on regular old 110v so no additional wiring was needed.

GRawesome > It's a "Porch-uh" 02/24/2014 at 16:46

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Yeah 4 post is mainly for storage and non wheel/suspension work, 2 post for more serious work. If you had the room to dedicate a garage bay to a 2 post lift, that would be great. Hard to pass on having an extra spot to park a car in a tight garage though.

Echo51 > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 16:48

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We have the center post for anything not under the middle(exhaust is one), and then the 4 post for engine/transmission work+exhaust, which don't require entire front subframe to come on out.

It's lovely for exhaust btw, way more bright/easy accessible then the hole in the ground, and easy to get the car hoisted up on too.

GRawesome > EL_ULY 02/24/2014 at 16:48

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Yeah 2 is a lot more maintenance friendly, if you are doing a lot of wheel/suspension work. Say you had a 1 car garage, would you get a 2 post so you could do more intense work on your 1 car or a 4 post so you could have another car? Tough decisions...

or buy more cars and leave them outside? lol

duurtlang > Echo51 02/24/2014 at 16:49

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Stacked Danish Escorts, interesting...

Jake, Yes, wearing khakis > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 16:52

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2 post because I am biased.... I do too many things related to suspension, brake and tires for a 4 post to be useful.
I myself have an Atlas two post with the lines and cables running on the bottom so the lift can go higher without worry. People warned me against it because of doing transmission work the tunnel gets in the way, never had a problem though because every trans I've ever pulled is farther towards the front rather than in the middle.

Echo51 > duurtlang 02/24/2014 at 16:53

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That double ass stack, and there's even a "pussy" in there :D

GRawesome > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 02/24/2014 at 16:54

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True. It really boils down to usage, do you want an extra space to park a car or dedicate your space to doing more intensive work on your car? If I had a one car garage I would probably opt for storage over maintenance because you would use it for storage much more often than for maintenance.

They do sell jacks that you can use on a 4 post to get the wheels off the ramps for suspension work, but a set of those costs almost as much as a 2 post lift!

duurtlang > Echo51 02/24/2014 at 16:55

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I do prefer the lifted ass on the slightly younger Escort up top.

GRawesome > Echo51 02/24/2014 at 16:56

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I considered the ol' hole in the ground route for under car maintenance. Problem here is that as soon as you big a hole a foot deep it fills with water. Not so pleasant.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 16:57

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I've done considerable research on the topic as I have thought about entering the lift market as well. A couple of points. First off, make sure the lift is ANSI certified. I know for a fact most of the cheap entry level lifts do not meet the certification criteria from the Automotive Lift Institute (this include Bendpak). I have heard first hand accounts of auto technicians dying due to poorly constructed chinese lifts.

No that the debbie down stuff is over- what kind of lift you purchase really depends on what kind of auto work you do. Do you do much suspension work, or work that requires you to take tires off? Are the cars that you work on body on frame or unibody?

Also you should look at scissor lifts. There are several robust types that bolt into the floor.

Echo51 > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 16:59

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There was 4 feet of water in it yestaday aswell. Most of the winter it's stayed dry luckily, but it still required a pumping often enough...

John Bulzacchelli > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 16:59

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If you plan on doing any work get a 2 post. Don't forget, you can still store a car on a 2-post with another underneath if needed.

Generally 4-posts are good for doing alignments only. The ramp are extremely restrictive to any type of work, even with a jacking beam.

Echo51 > duurtlang 02/24/2014 at 17:00

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The newer rear bumper is much much prettiere with the little holes and all. Not too sure about the spoiler, been considering to pull that off...

GRawesome > crowmolly 02/24/2014 at 17:00

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Nothing too aggressive yet, our cars are all running pretty well right now, for a change. I would use them mostly for storage so I'm leaning 4 post because it gets the cars inside and protected while opening up floor space for house projects and even a car project. I would like to do a full restoration one day, so maybe when that happens I could invest in a 2 post.

I've seen jack bridges for the 4 posts that get the wheels off the ramps for suspension work, but a pair of those costs just shy of a dedicated 2 post.

EL_ULY > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 17:01

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you can still park a car underneath in a 2 post lift. I did all the time when I was a tech at Lexus

GRawesome > For Sweden 02/24/2014 at 17:03

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Yes, that is the consensus. I'm leaning towards the 4, I was just wondering what others here would prefer. If you had a 1 car garage, with no other storage room for a car, which would you get? Would you add the space for another car, or make working on your one car easier?

GRawesome > Dunnik 02/24/2014 at 17:04

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I know the reasons for each and am leaning towards a 4. I was just wondering what others would prefer - the space for an extra car or the ability to do more intense work on 1 car. What would you prefer?

crowmolly > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 17:06

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What?

The jack bridges we have are simply pieces of 1/4" steel that "bridge" the gap between the ramps. Then you use a bottle or floor jack.

FWIW based on what you've said here and elsewhere, go for the 4 post. You can also knock it down and re-sell it if you decide to go 2 post later on.

GRawesome > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 02/24/2014 at 17:07

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Now that is a nice garage! Especially like the Charger.

I am leaning towards the 4 as well. I prefer to have the extra space over the utility of the 2 post. I don't do a lot of wheel/suspension work so almost everything I do (except rotating tires) could be done on a 4 post. Plus it frees up a space for another car or project.

GRawesome >  02/24/2014 at 17:09

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You're the first to bring up the safety side of the argument, I considered that too. Seen too many of those mechanic shop accident pictures of a car fallen off a 2 post lift. While it wasn't the deciding factor, it did help me lean towards the 4 post. Mainly though I like that it frees up the space for another car or project.

GRawesome > bob and john 02/24/2014 at 17:11

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I'm leaning 4, I was just wondering what others here would prefer and why. I'd rather have an extra space for a car or project than make the few times a year I need to do suspension stuff easier. Which would you prefer?

GRawesome > Jake, Yes, wearing khakis 02/24/2014 at 17:13

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Sounds like you use yours a lot. I don't do a lot of suspension work so I am leaning towards a 4 post because it frees up the space for another car or project.

I've seen the jack bridges for a 4 post that gets the wheels off the ramps for suspension work, but they are almost as expensive as a dedicated 2 post lift. Doesn't seem worth it to me.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 17:18

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Oh, one thing I forgot to mention. Ceiling height is 10'8" and allows for the Charger and Cutlass to be on either top or bottom. Also the garage door track and motor needed to be changed. The motor is now tucked away in the corner next to the springs and the track goes all the way up to the ceiling so the door can hug the wall, instead of turning at the top of the door opening.

68 is my favorite year for the Charger, but my dad is the Mopar guy. Even after a full restoration you can't fix Mopar build quality. Bring a toolbox and earplugs. The Cutlass on the other hand is an 83k mile "survivor". Just one repaint, and it is still mechanically sound and quiet.

GRawesome > crowmolly 02/24/2014 at 17:24

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I was referring to the scissor lift style bridge jack, they go for about $1000 each. Too rich for my blood but there must be some people out there buying them if there is a market.

I was leaning towards the 4 post before posting, I was just wondering what other people would get given the choice. Guess I should have taken that whole part about my garage out and just asked "which would you rather have and why".

GRawesome > EL_ULY 02/24/2014 at 17:26

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You can park a car underneath the 2 post, but it isn't really recommended to store a car for extended periods on the 2 post up in the air. That's more what I was referring to.

GRawesome > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 02/24/2014 at 17:33

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I'm definitely leaning towards the 4, I don't do a lot of suspension work and I would rather have the extra floor space for another car or project. Thanks for the safety info, the relative safety of a 4 over a 2 is also making lean towards the 4.

I was mainly just wondering what others here would do if they had a choice. probably should have left the whole part about my garage out and just asked "which one and why"

I've seen a couple portable scissor lifts that lift the car just high enough to make working on it more comfortable but don't take up the space of a dedicated 2 post lift. Could be an option one day.

puddler > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 17:33

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4 post. because places to put tools and alignment turn-plates (there's a pair on ebay for $5).

GRawesome > John Bulzacchelli 02/24/2014 at 17:39

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I don't think I would want to store a car on a 2 post lift up in the air for any extended period of time, but it is still a possibility I guess. For what I do, a 4 post would suffice for most work and freeing up the extra floor space for another car or project is worth making the few times a year I do suspension/wheel stuff a little more difficult.

I was mainly wondering what others preference would be given the choice and why. Probably should have left the part about my garage out and just asked "which one and why". But I am learning some good things.

Spasoje > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 17:45

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Seems like the best place to ask this:

Planning to build a garage on my property, and I'm contemplating its interior height. It definitely won't be under eight feet tall on the inside, but I'm guessing more height than that is needed for a lift...right?

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 17:46

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I'm either going 2 post or permanent scissor that takes the car all the way up. I have a 4x4 that I do a lot of suspension work on and wouldn't use it for storage much. There are also 2 post pad lifts which have many of the safety benefits of a 4 post yet the benefits of a 2 post.

EL_ULY > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 17:47

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lol, just overnight or quick interior jobs while another car waiting for parts or torn apart

bob and john > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 17:54

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id go 4. 4 is easier for storing a car. and its easier to drive on and off then having to go in and then get out, make sure the car is lined up right, set the jaws, then lift the car and pray u set them right.

that way, u have the 2 daily drivers in the post side (one on it and one under it) and u have the space left by the post to work on the project.

Singhjr96 > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 17:59

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Sorry, I had to. I'll be leaving now.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 18:16

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Oh, yes I would love a 2 post lift, just to work on my cars.

GRawesome > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 02/24/2014 at 18:40

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Yes, I like those 2 post pad lifts. What do you think about storing a vehicle with the suspension unloaded for extended periods of time though? I would much prefer to have it on all 4 wheels.

GRawesome > Singhjr96 02/24/2014 at 18:41

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This was the alternate title to my post

GRawesome > Spasoje 02/24/2014 at 18:45

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Depends on the cars, but the general consensus is 10-12 ft. I'm going to have 2 vintage trucks stacked so I'm going with 14.5 ft interior roof height.

Congrats on the garage! What size are you thinking?

Dsscats > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 18:47

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4 post. Much more stability and confidence plus not all the work aligning the car just right.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 18:55

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not great for a car. I imagine it wouldn't be too hard to have someone fab you some removable longer runners to sit on top of those pads though. I imagine there are also brackets to artificially compress your suspension.

Spasoje > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 19:01

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Thanks!

Based on land restrictions, it looks like it'll be a four-car tandem garage (i.e. two cars wide). The idea is to create another space on top of the garage, hence the need to keep height in check.

Jake, Yes, wearing khakis > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 19:13

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I've never used jack bridges so I couldn't comment on how well they do or don't work. My solution for more storage was to "let" a tree fall on the garage so I could build a pole barn lol

GRawesome > Spasoje 02/24/2014 at 21:39

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Nice. That's similar to what we're building, ours will be 2 wide by 2 deep. With a little extra room on the side for work benches and whatnot. Nothing above it though so we weren't limited there, our village actually prefers differing height roofs so it was good we made it 2 ft taller than the rest of the house.
Keep us posted on the garage progress, I'm sure lots of people will be interested.

GRawesome > Jake, Yes, wearing khakis 02/24/2014 at 21:41

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Now that's problem solving! Haha
I wish we had the space for something like that here, would definitely solve the space problem and then would only need a 2 post lift for working on the cars.

Spasoje > GRawesome 02/24/2014 at 21:55

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Lots of planning still to go, but I will!

GRawesome > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 02/25/2014 at 21:56

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So the Camaro must be yours? I'm not really a Mopar guy either but I currently drive a Challenger.

Ceiling height in our garage will be just under 15' since I'll be stacking 2 vintage trucks and they are both over 6 ft tall. Also means we'll need an extra tall lift. I haven't decided on the garage door yet, either I'll do the straight lift like you guys have or 2 doors that open out, barn door style. Not sure how good a seal I can get with the barn style doors though, don't want to air condition the whole neighborhood!

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > GRawesome 02/25/2014 at 22:09

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Yep. It was my good idea at the time fresh out of college purchase.

You have to remember that if you hug the ceiling once the door turns horizontal, a part of it might end up over the vehicle on top. Our door stops a foot or two before it would be above the top of the windshield. In other words, we wouldn't be able to park a station wagon nose first in the garage. But I'm sure a contractor can easily custom build some barn doors that will seal well.

GRawesome > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 02/26/2014 at 09:08

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Our garage is going to be 2 cars wide by 2 cars deep so initially the lift will be all the way in the back, so no worries about the garage door hitting. Unless one day we need 4 lifts, 2 in the front and 2 in the back. Very unlikely, but I can dream!