Vehicle Lifts

[g-m]

I'm sure there's a thread somewhere but with a generic name like 'lift', its a disaster trying to find it. What are some lifts that people have liked? I'm looking at 2 post lifts just to be able to work without jackstands. Maybe put bikes under a car in the winter but the main purpose is not storage. The garage is only 8'... I have 4" of concrete. I was thinking just a little one like this https://liftking.ca/portable-2-post/ Just interested in what other people have and like

[M.alex]

I sure wouldn't trust a 2-post lift that isn't lagged into the ground

[The_Penguin]

I know nothing about lifts, but if I were getting one, it would be 4 post.
I'm a computer guy, and I only do 4-post racks. :)


Yeah some days I wonder about the search function in vbulletin forums. My first search on 2-post resulted in many irrelevant threads titled "Martha Sterwart up to no good again" and "Painkillers inhibit Protein synthesis!"

Found some 4-post discussion:

https://forums.beyond.ca/threads/393285-4-Post-Lift?highlight=lift+garage+bolted
https://forums.beyond.ca/threads/407894-4-posts-lift-in-garage?highlight=lift+garage+bolted

[g-m]

For sure the intention would be to lag it into the concrete. I don't think there's much point considering a 4 post as you can't work on the suspension. They're more storage tools. Hmm looking more closely at the one I posted maybe it doesn't have bolts. I'm not sure how that would even work. I thought it had a flange that you bolt to the ground and the 'portable' nature of it was that you could move the columns when you're not using it but leave the bolts. Perhaps that's not the case and I should keep looking.

[killramos]

Can you store a car for months at a time on a 2 post with the suspension dropped?

[g-m]

I donno I've left my cars on jackstands with the suspension dropped over the winters numerous times with no ill effects.

[Maxx Mazda]

Can you store a car for months at a time on a 2 post with the suspension dropped?

Yeah it’s good for it. Keeps everything uncompressed.

[g-m]

You could unbolt your struts if you were really concerned. I really don't think it's a big deal

[ThePenIsMightier]

Max Jax is very good.

Here's a real world review:
eKHD5W5A8uI

[M.alex]

For sure the intention would be to lag it into the concrete. I don't think there's much point considering a 4 post as you can't work on the suspension. They're more storage tools. Hmm looking more closely at the one I posted maybe it doesn't have bolts. I'm not sure how that would even work. I thought it had a flange that you bolt to the ground and the 'portable' nature of it was that you could move the columns when you're not using it but leave the bolts. Perhaps that's not the case and I should keep looking.

you can do suspension work on a 4 post - I have 3 (all Direct Lifts, the oldest ~18yrs now) - I do all my maintenance on one. You'll need a 4-post lift bridge jack (hydraulic jack that slides between the runners) and a bit of creativity, but it works for pretty much everything
https://www.directlift.ca/pro-jack-3500.htm

[mr2mike]

Majority of brands are all the same design and made in same factories. You're basically picking price you want to pay and color.
2 post if you do vehicle maintenance. 4 post if you're a collector/storage.

[03ozwhip]

Ya i use a 4 post lift and while its a bit more of a pain to jack the car and put it on stands, it can be done fairly easily.

I thought about a 2 post for that reason alone, but the 4 post does the every other job really well.

[The Cosworth]

If you do a 2 post, you need to reinforce your pad, or at very least have it checked. I don't believe a 4 post needs it. My plan was always a 4 post with those middle rail jack things for that exact reason.

[firebane]

If you do a 2 post, you need to reinforce your pad, or at very least have it checked. I don't believe a 4 post needs it. My plan was always a 4 post with those middle rail jack things for that exact reason.

Yeah the one hidden cost to a 2 post lift. Scary thing is that you see far to many just throw them in and don't take into account the thickness of the pad. Watched a video on Youtube about that and someones garage pad varied in thickness from like 1" to 4".

[g-m]

The maxjax lifts look pretty slick, looks like you hilti in a receiver into your floor. And then bolts hold the lift columns in place. So if you move it out of the way, the receivers are flush with the concrete. I guess I just need to do some slab thickness research. Thanks for the suggestions!

[RX_EVOLV]

Have a friend looking to see whether he can install a car lift in his garage so he can store his summer car at home rather than off site. What's a good company to call on this?

[Maxx Mazda]

If it's just for storage, he's likely going to want a 4 post lift. Virtually every manufacturer lists their specs on their website as far as the measurements you're after. Just stay away from Lift King.

[RX_EVOLV]

Who locally can do the install ?

They just want someone to go give them a quote and do the install. Cost is relatively secondary.

[mr2mike]

Sent you a pm. He can also assess the space prior to installing too.

[ThePenIsMightier]

The maxjax lifts look pretty slick, looks like you hilti in a receiver into your floor. And then bolts hold the lift columns in place. So if you move it out of the way, the receivers are flush with the concrete. I guess I just need to do some slab thickness research. Thanks for the suggestions!

Slab thickness is definitely important.