Is there a Lift in your Garage?

Just curious if you guys have a lift. I know some do.
Pictures?
2 or 4 post? 4 post sit on concrete (and should be bolted) but the 2 post, bolts down. How thick should concrete be?
Or single post? Which is nice.
What did you spend on it?
Did you install or have it done?

I have a garage and I have a barn. I am planning another structure and was having thoughts of a lift in the new building or the barn.

 

I have a 4 post. I bolted it down for a little safety. Installed by me and a couple friends. The 4 post is the choice for storing a car. A 2 post is a better choice for working on a car. 4 inches of concrete is fine for a 4 post. I poured about a foot and a half in an area where I plan on putting a 2 post, which is overkill. The lift is the single coolest thing you can add to your garage.

 

I have a 4 post, not bolted down. It's not going anywhere. You can work easier on a 2 post but you can still do a lot of work on a 4 post. Get the jack for lifting the car it helps.
As for storage I wouldn't use a 2 post.

 

I have a 4post.

Nice to keep the car 5' above the ground away from moisture.
If you work on your cars Peter, it makes a big difference if you pick up the front of the car 12" or so. This drops the rear of the car making the engine bay easily accessible.

If you get a lift, plan on using it for other cars, make sure ceiling heights are addressed in your plans for a new structure.

The barn sounds really nice. It would be fun just to see peoples faces as their jaws drop when they walk into a barn and see it decorated with Lambo's.

 

I have two 4 posters.
Have garage with 11foot ceiling so lots of room underneath.
Don't waste money on running 220 v line a dedicated 110v circuit will suffice.
2 lifts supply and installed from directlift.ca 6100.oo all in . Oh and count on spending on door rail mods and a side mount out of the way motor as well.

Gary
Espada
8394

 

I have a 4-post. Very nice with the 10' ceilings in the garage. I can raise the Countach all the way up and stand underneath it.

Mike
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For some reason my silly iPad wants to rotate the photo 90 degrees! Here is a better shot from my laptop.

Mike
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Nice photos as always Mike.

If you want the best of both worlds, this is an option. Granted it is a kinda pricey option, but very functional if you don't have room for a 2 and a 4 and need to work and store vehicles.

http://www.hofmann-usa.com/all-14k-4-post.asp

 

I've heard many guys complain it's a ***** to work on a car with a 4 post.

 

Peter:

My lift also has a hydraulic lift that slides up and down the center. It makes it easy to jack up the front or rear so that you can remove the wheels and work on the suspension, brakes, shocks, etc...

Mike
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Yes, Mike has the plan! And yes there is a lot of metal to work around vs a traditional 2 post. I know I am never anywhere close to book time when working on my cars, so your shop guys are probably turning those wrenches a little faster than most of us. Personally I would prefer a little extra time in the air working around a lift than lifting the wheels on the ground with a jack. All in what you want to use it for.

 

My $455 lift and old German car isn't going to be that impressive on a Ferrari board. But I've got some cheesy music and a video. Watch it in full-screen HD for maximum Richard Strauss-ness.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9taIj0qw5SM[/ame]

(Dug that hole and poured that 'crete myself.)

 

Gary
Espada
8394
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fantantic vid !

Gary
Espada
8394

 

Very cool Gary! Love that vanity plate!!!! At least your Espada rear tires fit! The Countach rears hang over about an 1" on both sides!

Mike

 

Dude, that is awesome! great idea and actually inexpensive! Form out a rectangle before I pour concrete and drop in a scissor jack......cool.

Jack, show some photos of that set up. Nice 1st post.

 

4 post all the way. You've heard it's easier to do wheel work on a two post, but not necessarily. You can use a small scissor jack on the ramp to lift the wheels. Don't need to bolt down. Most have wheels so you can move them around if needed.

 

very nice setup Mike.

 

How in the F*CK do you get in and out of your Espada Gary?

 

4-post, installed for about $3-4k from what I remember. It is not secured because I have radiant heat in the garage floor - supposed to be 4 inches down but wasn't going to risk it. You can put jack stands while the car is lifted so you can have all the wheels off for servicing. I used Greg Smith equipment in Delaware. I have had it for several years - no complaints except the provided ramps are too steep for some cars. My R500 Superlight, MGB and 512BBi can get up them but my stradale and track-prepped evo IX could not so I had to build ramp extensions to get them on it.

 

that pic is deceiving there is actually about 2 feet left from the door to the wall . Aslmost enough to squeeze my girth thru

gary
Espada
8394

 

Master of the suck it up then ...

OK.

 

yessir

 

Mine
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Thanks. It's a small garage, only 20'x21'. So I didn't really have room for any kind of lift. Not enough ceiling height, either. So, the second photo is the 'footprint' of what I came up with.
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