Seeking CFO (wife) Approval for a Two-Post Lift

[Papa]

I've received tentative wife approval for the purchase of a two-post lift. My preference is to go with the Bendpak XPR-10AS-LP Dual-Width, 10,000 Lb. Low Profile Clearfloor 2 Post Car Lift (https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/two-post-lifts/xpr-10as/). From everything I've read, this is a top quality lift that will more than meet my needs. My shop has a 12' (plus 3"-4") ceiling and adequate electrical to meet the 220v requirements. I also have 4" 3000 PSI concrete as required by local building codes in my area.

To obtain final approval from my wife, I must do my research and need to understand why the lift I've set my sights on is worth twice what the Triumph, Atlas, and other off-brand lifts are selling for. I suspect that those that have them will be able to chime in with their experience.

My key requirements are:

1. Safety
2. Build quality and availability of service parts
3. Clear floor design
4. Low profile arms that can get under the MK4

I'm also interested in professional installation and how much I should expect to pay for it.

Thanks,
Dave

[edwardb]

I've had this exact lift installed and in use for a little under a year now. Very happy with it. Properly installed and properly used I believe it to be completely safe. This one is certified by Automotive Lift Institute, Inc. (ALI). Many are. But many are not. https://www.autolift.org/ali-directory-of-certified-lifts/. For residential non-commercial use, maybe not the biggest issue. But I believe it's worth something. My impression after having two different 2-posts, and shopping and observing many others, is that BendPak is probably somewhere in the middle of the cost/quality spectrum. You can pay way more and for our purposes probably not gain a lot. You can also pay less. But I decided to go with a brand that's been around, has a good reputation, and parts should be available if needed. I highly recommend the clear floor (e.g. bridge at the top vs. the bottom) as it's super convenient not having the obstruction on the floor to work around plus drive over when loading/unloading. Not sure how much difference it makes since all are engineering accordingly, but I like the mechanical aspect of having the top of the towers tied together. For this lift, it's a very substantial piece (a little heavy and cumbersome to get up there and installed) so it's clearly structural. I installed the lift myself, so can't help with the cost of a professional. Three buddies came over and helped me stand up the towers and bolt on the bridge. Between the four or us, not bad at all. I took if from there and it wasn't too hard. The instructions are pretty good. Good luck and enjoy. Every day I use it I'm reminded how much easier and enjoyable it is doing these builds with a lift.

[Papa]

I've had this exact lift installed and in use for a little under a year now. Very happy with it. Properly installed and properly used I believe it to be completely safe. This one is certified by Automotive Lift Institute, Inc. (ALI). Many are. But many are not. https://www.autolift.org/ali-directory-of-certified-lifts/. For residential non-commercial use, maybe not the biggest issue. But I believe it's worth something. My impression after having two different 2-posts, and shopping and observing many others, is that BendPak is probably somewhere in the middle of the cost/quality spectrum. You can pay way more and for our purposes probably not gain a lot. You can also pay less. But I decided to go with a brand that's been around, has a good reputation, and parts should be available if needed. I highly recommend the clear floor (e.g. bridge at the top vs. the bottom) as it's super convenient not having the obstruction on the floor to work around plus drive over when loading/unloading. Not sure how much difference it makes since all are engineering accordingly, but I like the mechanical aspect of having the top of the towers tied together. For this lift, it's a very substantial piece (a little heavy and cumbersome to get up there and installed) so it's clearly structural. I installed the lift myself, so can't help with the cost of a professional. Three buddies came over and helped me stand up the towers and bolt on the bridge. Between the four or us, not bad at all. I took if from there and it wasn't too hard. The instructions are pretty good. Good luck and enjoy. Every day I use it I'm reminded how much easier and enjoyable it is doing these builds with a lift.

Thanks for the replies to my PM and to this post, Paul. I already know what I want to buy, but I need to ask the questions. I'd like to ask my wife if she did the same when buying her Lexus. :) Why wasn't the Hyundai adequate? Not knocking Hyundai, they make a nice product, but it isn't the same as a Lexus, right?

Dave

[GoDadGo]

Does It Count That I Wish I Had Either Of Those Lifts?

Either will definitely be a nice addition to your shop.

[NAZ]

I haven't owned a two-post consumer grade lift so I can't comment on how well built they are. But I've had two BendPak four-post lifts over the last 10-years and both have worked great with zero issues. If you watch car related shows on TV you will see BendPak is a favorite in the TV studio shops and from my experience I can say this company makes quality lifts.

[Mark Eaton]

Dave,

I have an Atlas XH-9KOH 9000lb lift and I am very happy with it. When I purchased it I didn't know much about them. As apposed to Edwardb's scientific approach I viewed Youtube posts and then called Greg Smith equipment Co. and talked to the sales guy. It sounded good so I bought it. I payed my builder $400 dollars to install it. It took two of his guys all day. I figured that was more cost efficient than me straining my back with some buddies. It goes low enough to swing under the MK4.

I also change my own oil in my DD every 3000 miles . Here is a photo.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=86376&d=1527556650

I would buy it again

Mark

[Papa]

Does It Count That I Wish I Had Either Of Those Lifts?

Either will definitely be a nice addition to your shop.

Steve,

It definitely counts and after reading my own post I sounded like a spoiled kid. My comment was intended to be more of a poke at my wife's insistence that I look at other brands than I wanted to consider. The truth is that when you have blinders on, it can be hard to see the facts.

Thanks,
Dave

[Papa]

Dave,

I have an Atlas XH-9KOH 9000lb lift and I am very happy with it. When I purchased it I didn't know much about them. As apposed to Edwardb's scientific approach I viewed Youtube posts and then called Greg Smith equipment Co. and talked to the sales guy. It sounded good so I bought it. I payed my builder $400 dollars to install it. It took two of his guys all day. I figured that was more cost efficient than me straining my back with some buddies. It goes low enough to swing under the MK4.

I also change my own oil in my DD every 3000 miles . Here is a photo.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=86376&d=1527556650

I would buy it again

Mark

Mark,

Thanks for the info and first-hand perspective. Can you share anything about service and parts availability? Seeing that 2500 off the ground is impressive. I have a really hard time doing any work on my F-250 that requires the front end to be lifted. My 3-ton jacks can barely reach the axles and that doesn't afford much lift capacity.

Dave

[Mark Eaton]

Dave,

You bet! Yeah, I posted the photo because I know you drive an F250 which I figure is similar weight/size to my Dodge 2500 Deisel (8700lbs). The Atlas raises it all the way up no problem. As far as service and parts, I just follow the manual and do monthly tightening of bolts to specs, so far it hasn't required any hydraulic fluid replacement after 10 months of use. For replacement parts, there is no doubt that something will malfunction/break with this kind of machine, especially since it is in constant use with my MK4. Like I said in the previous post I was really impressed with the company I bought it from. They sounded like they would stand behind it and help me if I have problems. They have a outlet in Portland so I feel like help is not too far away when i need it.

Mark

[Mike N]

Dave,

I have an Atlas XH-9KOH 9000lb lift and I am very happy with it. When I purchased it I didn't know much about them. As apposed to Edwardb's scientific approach I viewed Youtube posts and then called Greg Smith equipment Co. and talked to the sales guy. It sounded good so I bought it. I payed my builder $400 dollars to install it. It took two of his guys all day. I figured that was more cost efficient than me straining my back with some buddies. It goes low enough to swing under the MK4.

I also change my own oil in my DD every 3000 miles . Here is a photo.

I would buy it again

Mark

I have had the same lift for 7 years and have never had any issues. My son is a mechanic and uses it a lot on the weekend for side work. He has had a wide variety of vehicles on the lift including a crew cab truck a couple of times and never had an issue. We are moving house soon and if the future buyer wants the lift I will buy the exact same model for the new garage. At the ride height I have my FFR at I do need to drive it up on a couple of 2 x 10 pieces of wood to get the arms under the car. Mine is set at about 3 1/2" to the frame. If you are at 4" or more you won't have a problem.