Oppo - give me 4 post lift advice

"Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!" (eurylokhos) 10/19/2018 at 23:19 • Filed to: None

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Anyone here have meaningful advice on buying a lift? My garage is appropriately sized for a lift and I’m finally going to pull the trigger. I’m getting a 4 post, but the big question is about install. Install and delivery add $1k to the price tag which is pretty significant when th lift itself is 2300-2500. I know some people put them together themselves.

Has anyone here done it? I’m sure I can manage once I solve the problem of moving pieces that are 800lb or so. I’ll need to find a couple people to help, which will probably be my biggest obstacle since my social awkwardness is a shitty superpower to have when things like this come up.

Worth paying the $1k or no? What say you, Oppo?

atfsgeoff > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! 10/19/2018 at 23:34

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How thick is the concrete slab that your garage is built on? Do you know where the footers are and how deep they go? What’s the PSI rating of the concrete? These are important questions before installing any vehicle lift.

Also, there’s little benefit to a four post vs a 2 post. 2 posts will give you better access to the vehicle for wrenching.

MM54 > atfsgeoff 10/19/2018 at 23:45

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A 4-post also has much lower requirements for the footer (some don’t even ‘need’ bolted down) and can be used for storage. The questions you asked are hugely important for a 2-post, but he’s doing a 4.

MM54 > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! 10/19/2018 at 23:47

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Do you have an engine hoist? I bet with some clever rigging to get stuff in about-the-right-orientation/spot and one other person you could do it yourself. Personally I ’d take that route, but it comes down to what it’s worth to you to not have to deal with it.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! 10/19/2018 at 23:56

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Me so jelly

atfsgeoff > MM54 10/20/2018 at 00:05

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They tend to have slightly lower requirements, but you still should know what kind of slab you have before installing.

You can store a car up on a 2 post as well.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > atfsgeoff 10/20/2018 at 00:07

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Not thick enough for a 2 post and I want to be able to move it plus  it is mainly for storage, so no 2 post. 4 post plus a bridge jack is capable of all I will ever need. 

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > MM54 10/20/2018 at 00:08

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You’re probably right. I don’t have an engine hoist, but I could easily justify one. 

atfsgeoff > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! 10/20/2018 at 00:11

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If you want one that’s not bolting to the slab, go ahead and DIY the install.

f86sabre > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! 10/20/2018 at 08:03

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No comments about physically installing one, but be sure you understand the requirements for the concrete under the lift.  4 posts don’t put too much load on things, but you should know what you have and if there is risk.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > f86sabre 10/20/2018 at 08:48

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My floor is fine for it. It’s a new house and I spoke with the contractor when we built the house about the lift , it is 6” of 3000psi concrete, technically at the lower range for a 2 post and way beyond what a 4 post needs. The question is really about self install. I’m surprised more people haven’t been down this road to offer advice. 

boxrocket > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! 10/20/2018 at 09:58

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$1K isn’t outrageous if there’s a guarantee/warranty on it. If they’re taking the time to level everything out, lube all the greasy bits, set the locks to be exactly even, etc., it’s worth it. At my old shop we got a new complete 4-post 8 -ton-capacity alignment rack (which costs as much as an entry-level luxury car, but lasers! Pew-pew!) and installation with calibration of the big beast took two guys almost two days, plus a third specialist for the alignment-specific stuff. 

boxrocket > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! 10/20/2018 at 10:00

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Tavarish did one in his house and made a video or two about it. Some of what he did is solidly in the “what not to do” (or at least “not what I’d do”) category.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > boxrocket 10/20/2018 at 10:24

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I remember that, but I thought he had someone do it for him. I’ ll have to go check it out again. As for the second point, I’d say that most of what Tavarish does is solidly in the “not what I’d do” category.

someassemblyrequired > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! 10/20/2018 at 10:41

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I’d pay the $1000.   Big heavy pieces and not having experience with the process is going to add a lot of time (and might end with a broken foot or sore back).   It’s a small amount when you think it’s probably gonna take you and a buddy a weekend (at a minimum).  Plus if it all goes wrong you have someone to blame.

(Insert Interesting Name Here) > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! 10/20/2018 at 10:44

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I had one installed about 2 years ago from the lift superstore in Houston. My Dad and I could have installed it ourselves, but after seeing the 2 guys unload and set it up I’m glad we didn’t. What took those guys a couple of hours surely would’ve took my dad and I a weekend of cussing. Plus they know tricks on how to level and calibrate them since they put them together all the time. So, to me, it was money well spent. Just my two cents.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > someassemblyrequired 10/20/2018 at 11:59

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That’s the direction I’m leaning. I have a bad back anyway and being out of work for more than a day or 2 will cost me more than that. Also, it’s something that will hold thousands of pounds in the air with me or car under it. Peace of mind has value in that scenario. 

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! 10/20/2018 at 15:16

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I have some friends who I have installed two. Wouldn't recommend it.  Even with an overhead crane apparently it was a pain in the butt.