What garage lift should I buy?

[kjbagg]

Looking at buying a hoist for my garage and have decided on a 4 post lift. I am looking to gain some insight from those of you who have purchased these lifts to help me in my decision as to which brand and model to buy.

The Bend Pack HD-9 seems to be very popular and is designed for everyday/constant use but that of course comes at about a 30% premium over the cheaper lifts of the same weight rating say the EFP7K.

I have always believed in gathering information form others rather inventing the wheel so hopefully you will share your experiences good and bad with me.

So what lifts have you all purchased and why?

[wallace18]

I bought both a 4 post and a 2 post. The 4 post is only good IMO if you have wheels and tires on the car. The 2 post allows complete access to the car. I build on the 2 post and store on the 4 post. JMO. I bought both from a place in Orlando for a great price. Affordable lifts. I have had them for years now without a problem.

32791

[first time builder]

I'm off to buy the popcorn!

Kenny

[Todd Buttrick]

Four post from Greg Smith Equipment and get the cross-jack for suspension/brake/wheel work. Best of both worlds.

http://gsmith.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/XH-PROJACK35-2.jpg

[Scud67]

Have to say I love my 2 post. I can access everything on the car and can store a vehicle on it and under. The 2 post doesn't get it the way much when not in use either. I think I would find the 4 post hard to "work around" in the shop. I am, however, going to install a second "in-floor" lift in another bay (the mid rise scissor type) so that I can do quick tire rotations and brakes while my project car is on the 2 post.

[Bob Cowan]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a256/bobcowan/smalllift1_zps4c5c6da4.jpg (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/bobcowan/media/smalllift1_zps4c5c6da4.jpg.html)

I had it installed by a professional. It took him and his assistant about 8 hours to unload and assemble. But they didn't do a good job on the fine details. I had to mess around with the safety locks and such. But now it all works well and easily.

I'v only had it for 8 months, but I like it so far.

[frankeeski]

I have a Direct Lift 7000 and love it. Very similar to the picture that Bob posted above. With the bridge jack it is every bit as good as a 2 post lift, I believe even better. http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa78/frankeeski/20140104_122359_zps476afd5e.jpg (http://s200.photobucket.com/user/frankeeski/media/20140104_122359_zps476afd5e.jpg.html)

[edwardb]

OK, so this isn't a 2-post vs. 4-post question. But just two questions about your 4-post decision. (1) Do you have enough room for it? I really wanted to do a 4-post in my garage, but since I only have a 2-car garage, would have made everything really tight. Did a scale drawing with the lift, cars, etc. and decided it was just too tight. (2) Have you really considered how you would use it? The runways on the 4-post make much of the underside inaccessible or at least very tight. A 4-post is really ideal for storage (e.g. another car under) and for top-side work. A 2-post is less ideal for storage (more work to get on the lift) but ideal for work on all sides including underneath. A 2-post really shines during a build because you can lift on the frame rails from the beginning.

I chose a Danmar Max-Jax 2-post. Best solution for my situation including normal home garage height ceiling. Love it don't know how I've done two builds without it. Good luck with your decision.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab234/edwardb123/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Update%2007062014/th_IMG_2646_zps21c0628c.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/edwardb123/media/Factory%20Five%20Mark%204%20Roadster%20Build/Update%2007062014/IMG_2646_zps21c0628c.jpg.html)

[Mesa Mike]

4 corner from Greg Smith in a two car garage. My Lexus sits neatly on top while my Cobra stands ready to go under. I can even change oil and filter on my Tahoe when needed. Standard length garage with 10' ceiling.

[skullandbones]

kjbagg,

Unless you are using the 4 poster for stacking a couple of cars, the 2 post is much more efficient. I can get to my suspension and every angle under the car to see those hidden areas for cleaning and inspection of hoses, lines, leaks, etc...... Also, it takes up less room when not in use. My pickup arms swing back to the wall and beyond the posts so you don't trip on them. After setting up a strict routine on how to prepare and raise the roadster, it takes me about two minutes to get it raised. I have predetermined location marked by colored tape. Then I extend the arms and locate them under frame rails rear by angle of arm and feel and front by looking down with hood up. Raise about 3 ft check for arm position and arms locked in place and finish raising to desired height. Mine has paid for itself at least once. I've done three suspension jobs (upgrades), oil changes, relocation of lower coolant hose, PS hose pump modification, charcoal canister relocation, cold air installation outside of fender well, finishing wire loom work on the front and rear light wiring. I'm sure there's more. There will be many more projects like a diffusor, changing location of LCA and shocks. All this with me standing straight at 6 ft tall instead of laying on cold concrete. Oh my aching back thanks me over and over again. Good luck, WEK.

Note: Definitely not making this a 2 vs. 4 argument. You should get what meets your needs best!

[thedonva]

4 corner from Greg Smith in a two car garage. My Lexus sits neatly on top while my Cobra stands ready to go under. I can even change oil and filter on my Tahoe when needed. Standard length garage with 10' ceiling.

What model do you actually have - thanks - Don - Stafford, VA.

[emac]

I have a rotary 2 post asymmetric lift. I could not live without it.

I bought it used from a guy that supplies lifts to garages, dealers, etc. My shop is pretty big with high ceilings and trusses barely far enough apart to make it fit. Garage door had to be made to go way up to clear a car on the lift. My garage was built "around" the lift, so that was helpful. I just dont think I would be very happy with a four post, unless it was more for storage.

[VdubJoe]

Bought a 2 post rotary asymmetric lift from a closing shop. As made working on everything so much nicer.

Joe

[thedonva]

Has anyone dealt with liftsplusdepot.com? The will install a nice 4 post lift for $2500.

[thedonva]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a256/bobcowan/smalllift1_zps4c5c6da4.jpg (http://s13.photobucket.com/user/bobcowan/media/smalllift1_zps4c5c6da4.jpg.html)

I had it installed by a professional. It took him and his assistant about 8 hours to unload and assemble. But they didn't do a good job on the fine details. I had to mess around with the safety locks and such. But now it all works well and easily.

I'v only had it for 8 months, but I like it so far.


Hi - what did it cost to have the lift installed? I found a place down the street from me that will deliver and install for $400, is that good or bad?

[Bob Cowan]

Sounds like a good deal to me! Go for it. :)

[rwantin]

An excellent and timely inquiry. I'm going through the process of an addition to my garage. One thing that the builder brought up was perhaps not adding a drop ceiling to the addition, as he knows how much I use my garage, and that not doing so would allow for a lift in the future. That got the proverbial wheels turning, as it were.

I'm less interested in storage and more interested in service/repair, wheels off. That, and taking up less floor space, as I often have motorcycles all over the place (and with more space, planning on more). Edwardb, that setup looks perfect.

[Tom Mauldin]

I am pretty fortunate, I have both a Max Jax 2post and a bendpak hd9. I bought the Max Jax first for my old house that had a 2 car garage with 8' ceilings. I love it. When my wife decided we needed a new home, I was able to get a 3.5 car garage with 10' ceilings. I bought the bendpak. I still use the max Jax more for building these cars and you can put another roadster under it as long as the windshield and roll bar aren't on it.33192

[Todd Buttrick]

You can't do an alignment on a two post lift.

[thall818]

Like everything, lifts are a compromise. 2 or 4 post depends on you and what is most important. The best answer is one of each.

I purchased a 4-post about 8 years ago from Greg Smith Equipment. I have not had a single issue, broken part, or any signs of wear. I have disassembled and moved it with no problem.

The reasons I started with a 4-post were mobility (it's easier to re-arrange the shop), and storage. Some of my projects are quite rough, and leak oil. The 4-post has easy to use drip trays. The 2 post did not.

I love my 4-post and would like to add a 2-post, but will not part with my 4. If I had started with a 2-post I would say the same about the 4.

Either way, take the time to fine tune the adjustments. You will be much happier if you do.

[VdubJoe]

You can't do an alignment on a two post lift.

I do all my alignment's on the floor with turntables and scales.
Why on the lift ?

Joe

[Pylons]

The best answer is one of each.

Which is why I had my builder design the garage for my new house like this:

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/bhertwec/LakeHouse/garage1.jpg

That house isn't done yet and is just a 2nd home for now, so I'm currently building on a Bendpak scissor lift.

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/bhertwec/FactoryFive/Days4648/Near_roller.jpg

[chopthebass]

so these lifts fit with a 10' ceiling height?

[Scud67]

My low ceiling lift - the posts are only 9'3" tall, it is a 2 post 9k lift.

[Todd Buttrick]

I do all my alignment's on the floor with turntables and scales.
Why on the lift ?

Joe

Because I'm getting old and tired of crawling on the floor. The four post also gives you a shelf to put your tools on while wrenching.


Which is why I had my builder design the garage for my new house like this:

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/bhertwec/LakeHouse/garage1.jpg

That house isn't done yet and is just a 2nd home for now, so I'm currently building on a Bendpak scissor lift.

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/bhertwec/FactoryFive/Days4648/Near_roller.jpg

This is what I did but my garage doors are on the side you're looking at.

T