4 post lifts - who's got one

CMNTMXR57

GM, Holden & Chrysler Mini-Van nut swinger
Sep 12, 2008
26,148
31,258
Elgin
Bend Pak HD9ST

I can't lift my garage ceiling, city won't allow it. With the exception of the vans, I can lift the cars high enough to sit upright.

The only modification I made to the garage (with help of the F-I-L as he installs garage doors, dock levelers, etc for a living), was to "lift" the upper portion of the garage door to clear the back posts. I had done all the measurements before purchase, but didn't factor in the bolt attached to the lift cables that run through each top plate.
 

Toasty

TCG Elite Member
Nov 4, 2007
1,207
0
Bolingbrook, IL
Bend Pak HD9ST

I can't lift my garage ceiling, city won't allow it. With the exception of the vans, I can lift the cars high enough to sit upright.

The only modification I made to the garage (with help of the F-I-L as he installs garage doors, dock levelers, etc for a living), was to "lift" the upper portion of the garage door to clear the back posts. I had done all the measurements before purchase, but didn't factor in the bolt attached to the lift cables that run through each top plate.




I'm house shopping at the moment, and am trying to make sure that I have enough garage height to fit the lift in and be able to store one on top of the other. It's been frustrating trying to determine exactly how much space I need, but I think I'll actually get the most flexibility with the Bendpak HD9xw. -I think the lift points will work, so long as the new garage doesn't have a crazy slope that has to be corrected by the lift adjustment... a little would be fine.
I'm already figuring that I'll have to do a high-lift door conversion and jackshaft opener.
 

CMNTMXR57

GM, Holden & Chrysler Mini-Van nut swinger
Sep 12, 2008
26,148
31,258
Elgin
I would say at a minimum 12' - 12'-6" ceiling. I thought about getting another one for the house here in Elgin, but my ceiling here is at 10'-6" IIRC. It's just about a foot too short to stack the GTO on the lift and drive the Caddy in under it.

And technically mine is a "free-stander" meaning it doesn't need anchoring to the floor and with the dolly kit available, it can be wheeled around... However, I anchored mine to the floor. Again, with the help of the F-I-L. He was kind enough to hammer drill the holes. However, I had to pound all those friggen anchors in to the concrete. To say that was a workout is an understatement... :D
 

Toasty

TCG Elite Member
Nov 4, 2007
1,207
0
Bolingbrook, IL
the bendpak tech sales guy said to add height of both vehicles and add 12", but that doesn't specifically take into account where the locks are. My SS is just under 58" and camaro is under 55", which gives me 113+12=125" ... or 10'5, with the high lift door track would keep the door from sticking so far in, and only over the hood (back car in). And of course the jackshaft mounted opener (wall mount)
 

CMNTMXR57

GM, Holden & Chrysler Mini-Van nut swinger
Sep 12, 2008
26,148
31,258
Elgin
I would only thing the concern with the locks are whether you're in the top one or the bottom one. Otherwise they are evenly spaced throughout.

This isn't the best picture because it's sideways for some reason, but you can see what I am referring to;

Top lock
zw1Fyeh.jpg


Bottom lock;
S9onjjk.jpg
 

CMNTMXR57

GM, Holden & Chrysler Mini-Van nut swinger
Sep 12, 2008
26,148
31,258
Elgin
Looks like your two would be essentially the same height as my two. I assume your ceiling height is below 10', so you can't stack them?

I think I technically could, but there would be but an inch or two between the ceiling and the roof of the car. In order to drop the lift, you have to lift it off the safety locks, then release them in order for it to drop, so you're really cutting it close with that space cushion...
 

Toasty

TCG Elite Member
Nov 4, 2007
1,207
0
Bolingbrook, IL
I would only thing the concern with the locks are whether you're in the top one or the bottom one. Otherwise they are evenly spaced throughout.

This isn't the best picture because it's sideways for some reason, but you can see what I am referring to;

Top lock
zw1Fyeh.jpg


Bottom lock;
S9onjjk.jpg

Yeah, if I had the one you have, it would probably be the 3rd from the top
 

Toasty

TCG Elite Member
Nov 4, 2007
1,207
0
Bolingbrook, IL
I think I technically could, but there would be but an inch or two between the ceiling and the roof of the car. In order to drop the lift, you have to lift it off the safety locks, then release them in order for it to drop, so you're really cutting it close with that space cushion...

Yeah, it's heavily dependent on the ceiling height, and where you have the ladders adjusted. (+/- 2 inches IIRC). 10'6" would be minimum on yours. (the ramps are like 4.5" so add a couple of inches to clear the locks). The extra tall lifts seem to have better lock placement for the vehicles you and I have, surprisingly, they're different than the regular height spacing
 

The Beast

TCG Elite Member
May 24, 2004
28,229
32,482
South beach
Real Name
Go Go
I have a direct lift in Black in my garage and I had to put in side mounted garage door opener and raise the door it’s a must if you plan on stacking them up.

My ceiling is 12 feet tall and that would be the minimum I would go with to stack cars. All of my 3 cars fit fine with no problems and no issues at all and the lift works perfect for all my needs.
 

MrDragster1970

TCG Elite Member
Dec 18, 2011
4,919
1,774
RT 66 area
.


I was planning to get a 4 post also because I rent a warehouse for my business & racing team, and didn't want to drill into the floor.
My buddy's use these guys for their 2 post, this was the 4 post I was going to order before I went to Fla.
After the election I decide not to pull the trigger since I'm looking to move soon.

4 Post Lifts | CL 8,000 CSP 8,000 LB. Four Post Vehicle / Automotive / Truck / Car Garage Lift (Portable)

Very nice quality and they are with in driving distance if anything ever pukes out.

.
 

willizm

Very Nice, Very Evil
May 13, 2009
12,829
10,148
The Woodlands, TX
I drove down to Indianapolis to pick this one up from Greg smith equipment. They give you a few hundred bucks off if you pick it up from them and I also bought it on Black Friday 2017 so it was about $2000 out the door if I recall correctly. It’s a step up in material from the regular atlas lift and has the Ali cert but would have gotten that one if it weren’t for the deal.

https://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-Apex-8
 

CMNTMXR57

GM, Holden & Chrysler Mini-Van nut swinger
Sep 12, 2008
26,148
31,258
Elgin
If you're solely using it as a storage device, then I have no issues leaving it "freestanding" (I.E. no anchoring). However, if you are planning on using it to service vehicles often and or a mix, I might consider anchoring it.

I initially wasn't going to anchor mine because after I built the damn thing, I wanted to use it and enjoy it. But after driving the car on/off a few times, I could feel the "wobbliness" if you know what I mean. I didn't think it was going to fall over or anything, but just that insecure feeling of instability irked me. So I broke down and anchored it. The bolts came in the kit, so I just bit the bullet and did it.

Any lift you get, what to look for it it's a "Free-stander" is the larger base plate on the columns. Example;

TtUe3go.jpg


As to choices of lifts out there, there are a lot of cheaper ones out there, but the old saying goes... "You get what you pay for..." and when you're trusting your life under one....

The only real thing I would look for is that it is certified by the ALI (American Lift Institute) or other suitable organization. I don't see it listed in that link, but that doesn't mean it isn't. Just saying that ALI tests them and will issue certification if it meets it's claims. Just one more piece of insurance.
 

willizm

Very Nice, Very Evil
May 13, 2009
12,829
10,148
The Woodlands, TX
Here is a couple pics of mine. I think my ceiling is only 10, 6” and without raising the garage door to hug the ceiling I won’t be able to park the TA under the chevelle. If I did raise it I should be able to however it is really tight and with the beam there I have to have the top car park forward so the hood is under the beam. If you are going to install it yourself keep in mind that you have to suspend both runners in the air to bolt them to the uprights. Easiest way I could find doing that by myself was to use jacks stands on one side and then use the engine hoist on the other side. Bring in the front and rear uprights and lower the runner down on that and then bring the engine hoist over to the other side and lower those off the jack stands. Not a bad way to do it if you have all that stuff accessible

u455pUL.jpg


xqmJ3tP.jpg


9inDgKY.jpg


K0eoNU9.jpg


d8RqITF.jpg
 

CMNTMXR57

GM, Holden & Chrysler Mini-Van nut swinger
Sep 12, 2008
26,148
31,258
Elgin
Because it keeps logging me out, It won't let me edit my post above..

Aside from normal things like oil changes, brake jobs, trans fluid, diff fluid changes, I've replaced the clutch, transmission, driveline, etc, on the GTO. I've done lots of exhaust work, etc, under this sitting upright.
 
Old Thread: Hello . There have been no replies in this thread for 90 days.
Content in this thread may no longer be relevant. Consider starting a new thread to get fresh replies.

Thread Info