In anticipation of a 348 spider coming to live at my house in the near future, I installed a four-post parking lift in my garage today. The first two pics show the first test of the lift, hoisting my M3. I could only lift it to the first stop, because I don't yet have the necessary overhead clearance. I'm having high-lift garage doors installed in a couple of weeks, and then I'll be able to lift all the way to the rafters. The last two pics show how I will use the lift -- the Ferrari will live over top of my wife's MX5. My son and I were able to install the lift in about 6 hours. If anyone is thinking about installing one of these, I highly recommend you get four friends to help -- it was not easy maneuvering the long ramps into position with only the two of us. For those who are interested, the lift is the Direct Lift Pro Park 7. It came complete with casters, drip trays, and a jacking platform, all for a very reasonable price. I definitely recommend the casters -- would consider them a must-have. I purchased the lift from Greg Smith Equipment, mostly because of their delivery -- they brought it on a roll-back truck, and the driver was able to slide the unassembled lift right into my garage. In related news, I'm having a PPI done tomorrow on a local 348 spider. So I may have something to put on the lift very soon. - Eric Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I hope your wife is short--She is going to cuss you every time she has to get in the car under the lift!!!
I got two lifts from Greg as well...they are very nice and well priced. I got the jack options as well, though I have taken them out and set aside for future use. They tend to drip a little oil just sitting there. I couldn't be happier with the lift and the distributor. I built my garage spec'ing 220V for lifts but these run on 110. They are a bastard to move/construct ..even the wheel platforms require 3-4 GUYS to hump around. Casters included and are a MUST!!
I paid an extra $400 for the installation of my Bendpak lift. The best $400 I ever spent. These pros made it look so easy, and the warranty is better if they install. Me and two of my buddies watched. We could have done it, but it would not have been perfect right away. And we would have been so sore. Bee Jay
Very nice!!! I've never looked into lifts but here's a question....can you also lift from the jacking points mid-car as well as by the wheels? I ask because for the 30k belt major the engine / rear suspension come off as one....
This is what I have dreamed about since I bought my F-car. This autumn I will make a shaft in my garage so I can get the car up there. However I thought it might be better to buy a 2 post lift since I will make the engine out service myself. Is it not easier with a 2 post lift??? Like to hear your opinion? //B//
Actually, she's on the tall side -- 5'8". However, I have to point out, stacking the cars was her idea (what a woman!!). I may try to rig up some type of easily removable pad to place on the side of the track, just in case she bumps her head. - Eric
There is an optional jacking platform that fits between the rails, and allows you to lift half the car at one time with weight off the wheels. However, that still means you would have to maneuver the engine assy out from under the back of the car, similar to if you had jacked it up off the floor and put it on jack stands. I don't think there would be enough separation between the rails to drop the engine assy down between them. (Of course, I never actually checked -- maybe someone else has done this.) - Eric
The two-post lift (like Bee Jay's) would definitely be the way to go for the engine-out. However, I'm not sure if the two-post lifts are rated for continuous storage. - Eric
I wouldn't. You're supporting the car on the frame, and it's a fine balancing act. Even when my projects take more than a day, I lower the vehicle to the ground overnight. The sweet thing about two post lifts is that the suspension hangs. Most of my lift work involves tires, wheels, brakes, etc. I used it to drop the Porsche engine, the Fiero engine, and the Corvette transmission. Very sweet. Pressure washing the underside of vehicles is possible with it being outside. Bee Jay
Anybody looked into the Vehicle Storage Solution (VSS) by Rotary? I like the idea of getting a double one and storing 4 cars in a two car spot. Looks like its geared for commercial. A negative would be that there is no access to the underside of the car. http://easypark.biz/easypark/Main/VSS.htm http://www.rotarylift.com/product_information/parking-systems.htm
This is all very useful information. I have just purchased 4,500 sq ft of industrial space and will be fitting it out as a storage garage/workshop for my cars and motorcycles. I posted in the general section and got some ideas on lighting etc. I want to store my Daytona, F40 and 288 GTO on lifts by the frame to take the weight off the suspension and tyres for the 3 or 4 months per year that HK is too hot and humid to enjoy these cars. Lifts are easy to get and cheap in Hong Kong as China is just across the border. Any other ideas on fit out would be much appreciated. I have a 348 GTC but it is stored at the track in China
I'd like to know how tall is your garage? I've been trying to decide if a 348 and a '77 vette can fit on a lift with 10ft ceilings?
I don't think you'd have any trouble with those two cars and 10' ceilings. But here's how to figure it out for sure... The parking lifts have locking positions at certain heights. You have to select a locking position that provides enough clearance for the car underneath -- in my case, that was 51" for the MX5. To that, you have to add 5" (for the height of the runways), plus 2" (because you have to raise the lift slightly off the locking position before you can lower it), plus the height of the car on top (46" for the 348). If all of that is less than the height of your ceiling, you are good to go. My total height is 104", which gives me 4" of margin to the rafters in my garage. The specific locking positions for my lift are listed on this page: http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TPPRO%2DPARK7&Show=TechSpecs. Others may vary slightly. - Eric
Thanks for the help, if you can get two ferraris in a 9ft ceiling I should be fine,and thanks for the measurements that helps, I was concerned about the locking position height ,thanks all
