[Barry]

Does anyone have a car lift installed in their garage?

2 post or 4 post? Pros and cons of either type?

I'm having idle thoughts about whether or not I could fit a car lift in my garage, and more importantly a car on top of it with enough space below for another.

Space is incredibly tight. Garage width is 275 cm (108 inches) and height is 260 cm (102 inches).

A 360 is 124 cm high, and a 308 GT4 121 cm. 245cm combined.

I think I'd fit something like this in there, but it would be a tight squeeze to get a car in under the max height I could lift the top car.
BendPak HD-9ST Four Post Lift, 9,000 Lb. Capacity, Narrow Width

Anyone else been trouble by such confined space, car lift problems?

[champagne612]

Bary

I installed the bend pak mono post at my other home - less room required and less door dings.

Highly recommend it - believe it was 4000.00 and 1200.00 to install about 3 years ago.

Be very careful to take all the measurements - if it's tight you may need a different garage rail system to make room for the lift to rise.

The next step - given you have enough clearance is to make sure the cars length has enough room once on the lift which is usually the minor of the two issues.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by champagne612

The next step - given you have enough clearance is to make sure the cars length has enough room once on the lift which is usually the minor of the two issues.

Length shouldn't be an issue, garage is approx 10m long. Technically is seems possible, but would be a very tight squeeze from a height perspective. Would give me an extra indoor parking space though if I could pull it off.

[barcheta]

I have an eagle asymmetrical 2 post - 9000 lb lift. If I had to do it over again I'd have bought a 4 post with center jack system. On most cars just finding a rigid point is good enough but on others (mercedes/porsche) you have specific jack points that make it very difficult to line the car up on if you don't pull it in correct the first time.

My lift is a clear floor one. My challenge wasn't space side to side but overall height. 12 feet in one spot doesn't mean 12 feet in another.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by barcheta

My challenge wasn't space side to side but overall height. 12 feet in one spot doesn't mean 12 feet in another.

I wish I had 12 feet. I'm closer to 8.5 feet height.

[355dreamer]

Doug.
Did your single post lift require certain specs for the concrete floor?

[champagne612]

Originally Posted by Barry

I wish I had 12 feet. I'm closer to 8.5 feet height.

Yikes on 8.5 feet the mono post may be too tall.

Barry the single post after mounted has a little hump / ramp you drive over.

Depth is good - I parked the Healey sideways in front of the Camaro in that picture.

Sir 355

The holes are drilled down and the bolts / fasteners grab the bottom of the floor.

It's actually very simple most floor have a 6" pour - those bolts go out about 24" acting as a leg for the lit and the lil hump / ramp covers them which I parked on top of leaving room for the Healey in front.

The platform has two fold down drive on ramps for low cars and then lock in case the car on the ramp rolls - it's an incredibly well thought out little system.

[tazandjan]

Barry- I think that is too tight. My garage is about the same height and no way will one work. Plus if you ever change cars, like for a 550, you would be screwed. Height of a 550 is 1277 mm or 50.27". You have to leave some room in there for ramps and oil covers so you do not drip anything on the car below. Plus you need some head height above for the beam(s).

You should be able to go to the manufacturers' sites and they should have height requirements for installation. I may be full of crap, so worth checking.

[KKRace]

I have the Bend Pak narrow 4 post and really like it. I also have the caster kit for it so I can move it around. I think it's the best made 4 post lifts out there. I think my cieling is 9' 2" and really wish it was taller but it still beats crawling around on the ground. I've used it as a adjustable height workbench, motorcycle lift and even scaffolding to repair drywall on the ceiling.

Most 2 post lifts say they are not to be used for car storage. I don't know the exact reason? I do know the 4 post is much easier to use than a two post especially with low clearance cars. One thing I can say with confidence is if you do buy one you will have no trouble selling it if you change your mind.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by KKRace

I have the Bend Pak narrow 4 post and really like it. I also have the caster kit for it so I can move it around. I think it's the best made 4 post lifts out there. I think my cieling is 9' 2" and really wish it was taller but it still beats crawling around on the ground. I've used it as a adjustable height workbench, motorcycle lift and even scaffolding to repair drywall on the ceiling.

Kevin,
Have you ever used it with a car on the ramp and one underneath? Just wondering with 9' 2" was there space? (and if so what height cars were involved?)

[Scottish16M]

Originally Posted by Barry

Kevin,
Have you ever used it with a car on the ramp and one underneath? Just wondering with 9' 2" was there space? (and if so what height cars were involved?)

I really think you are on a hiding to nothing here Barry, but if you can make this work be sure to share as you just know Im gonna copy if I can!!!

[Barry]

Originally Posted by Scottish16M

I really think you are on a hiding to nothing here Barry, but if you can make this work be sure to share as you just know Im gonna copy if I can!!!

I totally agree Peter. Taking the 360 and 308 into account I have only 15 - 20cm of play in terms of both heights vs ceiling height. Still it's worth the exercise even if only to rule out.

[champagne612]

Originally Posted by Barry

I totally agree Peter. Taking the 360 and 308 into account I have only 15 - 20cm of play in terms of both heights vs ceiling height. Still it's worth the exercise even if only to rule out.

Ever thought about going below?

Digging out the area below the garage floor - be a nice cool storage area for all sorts of man cave stuff.

If my garage plans do not get approved I am going to go that route but I already have the basement below so it's just a matter of a drive and some steel.

[Barry]

Originally Posted by champagne612

Ever thought about going below?

Digging out the area below the garage floor - be a nice cool storage area for all sorts of man cave stuff.

If my garage plans do not get approved I am going to go that route but I already have the basement below so it's just a matter of a drive and some steel.

Nice idea Doug, in fact how cool would that be. Might need someone else's budget though

[champagne612]

Originally Posted by Barry

Nice idea Doug, in fact how cool would that be. Might need someone else's budget though

Barry

Breaking up concrete adding some drains and pouring concrete with some reinforcement.

Keep in mind - digging down is the cheapest expansion of a home.

Tell your wife it's an emergency shelter - it's a lot less than you think and it's an added value vs the lift.

[Barry]

OK, so here's an update. Spent some time on the online support with BendPak and the net result is this...

Total available height in garage: 2,600mm
Height of GT4: 1,210mm
Height of 360: 1,240mm

After my online chat:
BendPak HD9 ST

Space below ramp (with safety lock in place): 1,243mm
Platform height: 112.3mm
Space above ramp 1,242.7

Damn, that's close.....

[Scottish16M]

If you have any plasterboard on your ceiling remove it and you'll acquire an additional 100mm minimum, then the damn that's close could become a reality

[kulferrari]

Is creating a tray ceiling an option?

[KKRace]

Originally Posted by Barry

Kevin,
Have you ever used it with a car on the ramp and one underneath? Just wondering with 9' 2" was there space? (and if so what height cars were involved?)

Yes, I've had my 328 on the lift with a '66 mustang below. I would not be able to get two mustangs in place like that but the 328 is low enough most cars fit under or above. SUV/s are another story. It was tight but still had a few inches to spare. You have to be carefull opening the garage door with a car close to the ceiling. When I put a car up high I jam a screwdriver in a hole in the door track so I don't accidently open the garage door into the car on the lift.

What is above your garage? I have friends that have cut open the ceilings and added additional collar ties to the roof to get more room. I regret not building the garage a foot or two taller when I built it but I was lazy and just bought 8 foot 2x4s. My knee wall and top and bottom plates got me to 9'2"

[Barry]

Originally Posted by KKRace

What is above your garage?

Just my wife's walk in wardrobe.....