Is garage big enough for a lift?

[TPM3]

We are looking at a new house with a two and one half garage. The width is 19’ 4”. The two lengths are 19’ 11” and 31’. Ceiling is 10’ 5”. Reading some of the manuals for 4 post lifts as well as some random posts on the internet, I found ceilings must be at least 11’ and garages at least 22’ long. What experience have people had with lifts in smaller garages? Am I out of luck?

We plan on getting a golf cart and would like to get three cars and the golf cart in the garage.

[Papa]

There are lift options designed for smaller, shorter residential garages. The best recommendation I can give you after just having a lift installed myself, is to identify the lift that will physically fit, then tape the locations of the lifts components (posts, arms, etc.) and see if you have the room for what you want to do with your garage. I know Bendpak provides minimum dimensions with distances to walls or other obstructions. Also, consider if you can get your car(s) onto the lift where it will be installed. I'm having my installer come back and rotate my lift 45 degrees to allow me to have a straight on approach from my door to the lift. If you look at how mine is installed now, you would think -- no problem! But, once you try to maneuver a car larger than the MK4 between the posts, it gets ridiculously difficult. The edge of my garage door that you can't see lines up about in the middle of the opening between the posts.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=89016&d=1531782514

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=89015&d=1531782500

Here is an example of one of the new Bendpak low-ceiling lifts that would work with a 10' ceiling.

https://www.mytoolequipmentguy.com/bendpak-grandprix-gp-7lc-low-ceiling-height-118-5/

[Jeff Kleiner]

One thing to keep in mind is the overhead door. If the lift is to go under the raised door your "ceiling height" is really only as high as the door when it's horizontal. I experienced this first hand a few years ago when my brother-in-law bought a 4 post on line and I went to help him install it---I walked in and said "Uh, Steve, this ain't gonna' work!". Although the actual ceiling height was 11 feet when the door was raised there was less than 9 feet from floor to door. With a car on the raised lift it would not have been possible to raise the overhead door (DOH!). In the end reconfiguring the door tracks to ceiling hugger style and using a jackshaft mount door opener solved the issue but after all that his lift wound up costing about twice what was budgeted (DOH! again).

Jeff

[GoDadGo]

If you need an even smaller setup, then you may want to consider the Danmar Max-Jack.

Certified Version:
https://www.bestbuyautoequipment.com/mx-6-2-post-portable-lift-system-dannmar-maxjax-p/dannmarm6.htm

Non-Certified Version:
https://www.bestbuyautoequipment.com/2-post-portable-car-lift-system-dannmar-maxjax-p/dannmarmaxjax.htm

[TPM3]

Thanks for the insights.

In my current house I had one of the doors raised to ceiling height with the jack shaft opener. Did it when we replaced the doors so the cost wasn’t that much more.

Looking at some other options, I found Autostacker, a scissors type lift by BendPak. It costs more, but looks like a better solution for me. They even had low ceiling examples where the car heights are pretty much what I am looking at. Shows that it would easily fit after raising the door with jack shaft opener. Since it’s new construction, I should be able to get it done up front.

[Race Ratz]

92882
HD 7W Bendpak. High lift garage door. 10’ ceiling. 22’ deep garage.

[TPM3]

92882
HD 7W Bendpak. High lift garage door. 10’ ceiling. 22’ deep garage.

How far along the ceiling from the front of the garage does the door extend when it is up? IOW, how close to your roll bar is the door when it is up?

[progmgr1]

If you need an even smaller setup, then you may want to consider the Danmar Max-Jack.

Certified Version:
https://www.bestbuyautoequipment.com/mx-6-2-post-portable-lift-system-dannmar-maxjax-p/dannmarm6.htm

Non-Certified Version:
https://www.bestbuyautoequipment.com/2-post-portable-car-lift-system-dannmar-maxjax-p/dannmarmaxjax.htm

FWIW: Costco periodically puts the Max-Jax on sale for a better price that includes free delivery.

Keith

[Race Ratz]

92896

7’ tall door with 10’ ceiling. Fits perfect. Not even close. 63.5” height below to park wife’s sedan.

[SSNK4US]

Or straight to Danmar.... always the same price

https://www.maxjaxusa.com/buy-purchase-maxjax-car-lift.html?p=1

[rponfick]

For all the guys with roll bar and windshield issues, I just spaced my lift so I could cut out and box areas between the joists in the attic. This does not work too well if your bedroom is above the garage. But, the two lift posts may look nice as bed side stands. Ralph.