Anyone have a lift in their home garage?

[Jimbo]

I have recently built a 3-4 car garage and would like to outfit it with a full-size lift...not sure if it will be a 2 post or 4 post one yet. I def. have the headroom so no baseplate models needed.

I can get a Rotary 2 post installed for some $$, they are generally thought of as very good units and at the upper range of price...but there are less expensive ones from Bend-Pak , Danmar etc...anyone have opinions on any of them?

The 4 ones post would be more for storage I guess....which I could do but they take up a lot more space, but some of them can be moveable on casters which can be handy...

 

[8899]

Great questions Jim. Are you also thinking about using the lift for car stacking (parking) purposes?

 

[Jimbo]

Great questions Jim. Are you also thinking about using the lift for car stacking (parking) purposes?

Definitely.

 

[gsxr]

I've got a Direct Lift 9D. Works great. Rotary would be nice if you can afford it. ($$$$!)

2-post allows working on suspension, and swapping wheels/tires.

I wouldn't get a 4-post unless it was for stacking purposes, or if you had room for one of each type. You can still stack with a 2-post, but I wouldn't use that for long term storage, as the suspension bushings will be under tension for the car in the air...

 

[jhodg5ck]

get one side as 4 post, other side as 2 post..

does living @ my shop count as having lifts installed @ home..??

I've got rotary lifts, they work greeeaaat!

j

 

[DW SD]

I wouldn't get a 4-post unless it was for stacking purposes, or if you had room for one of each type. You can still stack with a 2-post, but I wouldn't use that for long term storage, as the suspension bushings will be under tension for the car in the air...

+1 on this advice. I have a two post. Find the person that does the local installations at dealerships and indy shops. I tracked that person down and he had an assortment of used lifts. He's the first one called when a shop or dealership goes under. Mine was $1800 installed. He said the lift was about $4k when new. He charges $600 for an install. It took about 5 or 6 hours with a helper.

HUGE improvement in working on cars. My back never hurts, don't get as dirty, in fact....I am a happier person in general, wife looks even more beautiful, sun is brighter, flowers more vivid..... seriously, it is a GREAT upgrade
cheers,

Doug

 

[szvook]

...

 

[Jelmer]

...

+1. In fact, I'd settle with a garage to begin with!

 

[szvook]

In fact, I'd settle with a garage to begin with!

+2. I would take my own garage before the lift, I can sure use the space. Been thinking of getting track dedicated wheels and space for storage is questionable without a garage...

 

[gsxr]

HUGE improvement in working on cars. My back never hurts, don't get as dirty, in fact....I am a happier person in general, wife looks even more beautiful, sun is brighter, flowers more vivid..... seriously, it is a GREAT upgrade

+100! I wish I had gotten one years sooner: Worth. Every. Penny. And then some!

Not to mention the safety aspect... far less worry about the car coming off jackstands, or a hydraulic floor jack failing, etc.

To quote Ferris Bueller... "If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."

 

[szvook]

I don't like this thread....:sorrow:

 

[alabbasi]

I rent a 1000 sq/ft unit where I have a rotary 2 post lift form 1981. The lift belonged to my friend who was a mechanic. I got it for about $400 and then spent around $1200 having new seals and a power unit installed. It's probably smarter to get a 2 post lift unless you only plan on using it for storage or transmission work.