Lift Options

[Amphicar770]

I have a Greg Smith 4 post with two rolling Jack's so I can have all 4 wheels in the air at once. Very happy with it. Yes, it has safety stops and whenever I lift I then lower it to a safety lock as you should.

2 post is more flexible but harder to install. I've heard you want articulating arms.

[patssle]

I have the two post Atlas lift as well and it's definitely one of the best things I've ever purchased. ZERO regrets. Everything becomes so much easier. And you have complete access to 99% of the car with a two post over four.

[Andyrew]

My dad had a 2 post and my uncle had a 4 post. The 2 post was much better as a tool, the 4 post is better at storage. Im looking at a 4 post for my house.

[jhynesrockmtn]

I'm lucky to have a shop behind the house. I built it with 2 lifts in mind. The two post for mostly work although it is used for storage as well. I can fit a 911 under the car above when needed. I get the 996 on by driving onto some plywood pieces I cut out. Only takes 1/2 inch of lift to get the arms under it. Pulling the brakes off of the race car for rebuilding and will be pulling the engine in the next couple of weeks. I bought mine locally and had them do the install.

[Cracker]

Now some folks are simply showing off! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Very nice indeed and it appears you are proving the saying true...hobbyists will grow to capacity! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif)

What formula chassis is laying there unloved?

Tony

"I'm lucky..."

[mihai914]

Since the truck is part of the equation, a name brand lift like Rotary is the best way to go, made in the US preferably.

You can see why here

A good quality second hand lift is better than a cheap new one IMHO.

[budk]

I have a 4 post 9k Bend-pak with a rolling hydraulic jack and a jack support that I can use if I need to have all 4 wheels off at the same time. I needed storage which is why I went with 4 post. i usually keep a car on it along with all the other junk I need out of my way. I can do engine drops with it as well.

[jhynesrockmtn]

Now some folks are simply showing off! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Very nice indeed and it appears you are proving the saying true...hobbyists will grow to capacity! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif)

What formula chassis is laying there unloved?

Tony

"I'm lucky..."

So very true, I have grown into this place and in some ways outgrown it! :-)

That is a 1969 RCA FV. It's not as bad off as the picture. I sold my very nice Zink last summer and will put this one back together sometime this year.

[Cracker]

Pretty cool LITTLE cars! My feet would be 3-feet beyond the pedals!

Tony

[davehg]

I have a 4 post lift mostly because I needed to lift an 8000 lb diesel pickup. A two post would require 8-12” concrete floor to safely support, and I’d still feel odd about working under a heavy truck with a two post. I can get by with 6” floors with rebar reinforcement.

I got a rolling jack to lift the cars up for brakes and tires. You can get two or just use the bottle jacks to hold up one side. The jacks are air powered and you need a compressor, same for the safety locks for the lift. Much more stable for storage. If storage and heavy lifting capacity were not considerations I would opt for a 2 post.

Bendpak seemed like the value choice. Rotary was nice but more spendy. I don’t use the lift enough to warrant the extra spend.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-21443-1519017284.1.jpg)

[jhynesrockmtn]

I am 6'1" and fit just fine :-)

[sixnotfour]

since the thread is jacked...added storage

[bulitt]

You can do more using a 2 post. 4 post is better for storing a car. How would you do a brake job using a 4 post and all wheels are under load? I made the mistake of getting a lift with cables and a hose on the floor (it has a cover / ramp). This gets in the way a lot more than I like. Think moving a transmission jack from front to rear.

Simple. you raise the car on the 4 post
slide two heavy 2"x2"x7' steel square tubes under the car frame with wooden blocking under both ends of the tubes.
Lower the 4 post
your car is suspended in the air.

I agree that a 2 post is more convenient if dropping an engine frequently.
Or working on suspension/brake bits.
But dropping an engine can be done with a 4 post if you are careful and safe.

I have learned the uses of my 4 post are only limited by my imagination...

Back my pick-up bed under it to unload a motor.
Split a Tractor to change out the torque tube.
Work on other stuff- tractors, zero turns, etc.
Store all sort of stuff on it- lawnmowers, welder, boxes of parts etc...

Changing an engine...I put some jackstands under the car before getting underneath it...

[mlindner]

If you have the ceiling, two post is a must for service/engine removal. I did not.....my BenPack scissors lift is the next best thing. Perfect for 914's and 911. Car storage is a different story. Best, Mark

[dcheek]

This subject has been covered many times in this forum. Most of the time people want a portable jacking system. They are more expensive and some only raise a couple of feet.

You are smart wanting a 2 post, especially for P cars and air cooled VW's. I have an Atlas brand lift from Greg Smith Equipment. It's the least expensive they have and also the the lowest clearance. My ceilings are 10 1/2 feet. I can lift the 914 and be able to walk under it (I'm 6'2"). Can't stand under a Beetle though. I paid $1445.00, no shipping, no sales tax because I picked it up at the Delaware warehouse. We actually picked up two lifts using a car trailer.

It took 2 3/4 hours to install with the help of a couple of friends. The second one took about 2 hours. I hired an electrician to wire in 220 volts.

The model is a BP 8000, 8000 lb. lift.

I've had it for several years and have changed 2 clutches, 2 complete brake jobs and tie rods. I've made my money back already, plus it gives to extra car storage.

Dave

What are the concrete requirements for that lift?
Thanks

4" minimum - no rebar

Dave

[80cap]

What makes a 4 post more difficult to drop an engine?

[Cracker]

LOL! Yikes! How did you attach the drops to the 4x4 posts? Thanks and a thumbs up for creativity! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

Tony

[Cracker]

The challenge would be the restricted access to everything under the tread plates and potential interference with the same (engine mount bar, etc.) I need a little over 48" of open space between runners to make it feasible with a 4 post.

T

What makes a 4 post more difficult to drop an engine?

[SKL1]

Space between the tracks makes it more difficult to drop the engine etc but rolling jacks do help with servicing on a 4 post. I have a 4 post in AZ. I do some servicing but it mainly allows me more storage at home.

My son has a 2 post in IA- I couldn't put that in at AZ because the floor had pre-tension rods and you can't drill into it.

As stated, 2 post is much better for servicing etc.

[GeorgeRud]

I didn’t have a high enough ceiling for a two or four post lift, and didn’t want to dig up the garage floor, so I chose a scissor lift with ramps that can be easily moved to drive a car on. The lift is mobile as well if desired.