Anybody have a car lift? Looking for opinions
#1
Anybody have a car lift? Looking for opinions
I know this isn't 3d gen specific but I figured this is a good place to ask. I've been looking at getting a 4 post car lift for quite some time. I want to know if any of you guys have one and what brand you have. I'd like to get something that is good but I don't necessarily need the best. The Bend-pak lifts seem very nice, probably better than what I need. As much as I try to steer clear of chinese stuff they seem to have some pretty good deals. I want something safe that will last a long time. I've seen "Auto-lift" "Direct-lift" "Dannmar". My understanding is that the Direct Lift is the best of the Asian lifts because it's parent company is Dover/Rotary. Is there any advice you guys have to share?
#3
Stay tuned...
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I extended my garage and installed this lift here. It's more expensive than a 4 post but it is removable. In the summer you can use it outside the garage and in the winter use it inside.
I leave one post mounted and remove the other post to store the rx7s in the winter.
MaxJax Portable Lift System - More Video - Jay Leno's Garage
Let me know if you have any questions.
Anthony
I leave one post mounted and remove the other post to store the rx7s in the winter.
MaxJax Portable Lift System - More Video - Jay Leno's Garage
Let me know if you have any questions.
Anthony
#7
If it's fast I'm There
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ONE post lifts are the latest and greatest thing on the market. They have a small footprint and will fit just about anywhere. The cost is around 5K and everyone is now making them.
American Custom Lifts Single Post Car Lift, 6500 lb. Lifting Capacity | Single Post Lift
American Custom Lifts Single Post Car Lift, 6500 lb. Lifting Capacity | Single Post Lift
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#9
Rotary Freak
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Here's my 2 cents worth of opinion.
If you want to service a car, NOTHING is better than a 2 post lift. Period.
Why you may ask. First, a 2 post lift allow you to get under the car and work on the exhaust/transmission/engine/suspension whatever you can see you name it. No obstacles. So WHY get a single 1 post lift which block MOST of the undercarriage? Why?
As far as to purchase a lift, go find a snap-on/matco/mac-tool dealer or truck guy. Ask him about purchasing a used lift or even a new one. I bet you can find one under 2k used in GREAT condition.
I personally use nothing but Rotary lifts so I cant give you any opinion on other brands.
-AzEKnightz
If you want to service a car, NOTHING is better than a 2 post lift. Period.
Why you may ask. First, a 2 post lift allow you to get under the car and work on the exhaust/transmission/engine/suspension whatever you can see you name it. No obstacles. So WHY get a single 1 post lift which block MOST of the undercarriage? Why?
As far as to purchase a lift, go find a snap-on/matco/mac-tool dealer or truck guy. Ask him about purchasing a used lift or even a new one. I bet you can find one under 2k used in GREAT condition.
I personally use nothing but Rotary lifts so I cant give you any opinion on other brands.
-AzEKnightz
#10
Urban Combat Vet
iTrader: (16)
^Agreed. The drive-on style is definitely convenient. But if the intention is to get them for service, a two-post can't be beat. If you're just looking to expand storage, either is fine. But I think most would be surprised on how much the rails and bracing of the drive-on styles are in the way. And that includes the one-post linked above.
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ONE post lifts are the latest and greatest thing on the market. They have a small footprint and will fit just about anywhere. The cost is around 5K and everyone is now making them.
American Custom Lifts Single Post Car Lift, 6500 lb. Lifting Capacity | Single Post Lift
American Custom Lifts Single Post Car Lift, 6500 lb. Lifting Capacity | Single Post Lift
#12
Junior Member
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IMO two post is the way to go if you plan on working on your car. I work at a garage and we have a drive on 4 post for alignment. Sometimes we get busy and have to do oil changes and rotations in that bay and its a pita. We all hate that lift, unless we have to do an alignment. I have nothing but good things to say about two post lifts because nothin gets in the way. Drive ons are a pita when you need to do something around the outside of the vehicle, including tires. When I buy a lift, it will be a two post. I think that outside of tools, lifts are worth their weight in gold, especially with our cars
Last edited by bobefann; 04-06-13 at 04:32 PM.
#14
Brings Order to Chaos
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My neighbor has one of these he uses to store and service cars with. I will probably purchase one next year as well.
http://indyautolift.com/FP9K.html
http://indyautolift.com/FP9K.html
If the OP is interested, contact me via PM, and I can see what current prices and delivery times are. Mine was such a good deal I considered trying a GB to help out my fellow forum friends.
As others have stated, it's great for storing cars, but not so great for maintenance other than oil changes, spark plugs, the basics.
Richard
#16
Rotary Freak
iTrader: (24)
If you have a 2 post compared to a 4 post doing the same job. It'll take 2x amount the effort to get it done on a 4 post than a 2.
I have both in my shop, and I bust out cars left and right easily with both.
But the 4 post just requires so much more. Why? Because the rack actually is an "obstacle" which requires you to position your body in such a way when performing tasks below/beside the car differently.
My point is, YES it works. But if I were to choose between the two, it is a no brainer.
Thanks for listening to my opinion. No harsh feelings
-Eric
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I've been looking at getting a 4 post car lift for quite some time. I want to know if any of you guys have one and what brand you have. I'd like to get something that is good but I don't necessarily need the best. The Bend-pak lifts seem very nice, probably better than what I need. As much as I try to steer clear of chinese stuff they seem to have some pretty good deals. I want something safe that will last a long time. I've seen "Auto-lift" "Direct-lift" "Dannmar". My understanding is that the Direct Lift is the best of the Asian lifts because it's parent company is Dover/Rotary. Is there any advice you guys have to share?
#20
Rotary Freak
iTrader: (24)
Then you'll probably say "FML, shouldve bought a 2 post" =).
Again, this is ONLY my opinion. You dont have to listen to what I say. But I do this for a living and over 150 cars a month. Tell my opinion is probably worthless from the OP anyways.
So, how do you replace your brake pads on those 4 lifts without a jack? How about adding a jack option? Will you still have that much room under the lift?
-Eric
#21
Rotary Freak
iTrader: (24)
The OP is looking for a 4-post lift not a 2-post lift. I agree on the working issue w/the 4-post BUT if you are using it for storage the 2-post is at a lost since it doesn't allow you to load the suspension. Another difference is with the 4-post; you drive on it, get out of the car and you are done. The 2-post will require you to get dirty adjusting arms before you can lift anything and on a Saturday night this is a no-go
1) by using an exhaust jack
2) by lower the rack until the suspesion touches the ground, and roll under to torque bolts
I personally uses method #1 and has always worked like a charm.
-Eric
#22
old yella
iTrader: (50)
two post is ideal for bulk work.. as in shop.. pretty sure the topic is of personal use here..
as stated earlier.. to work on corners.. all you need is a lift jack.... an accessory to the four post
having only a standard two car garage.. four post is ideal in that if i wanted to.. can roll it to the other bay..
you have to meet certain requirements to install a two post.. not so with the four..
as stated earlier.. to work on corners.. all you need is a lift jack.... an accessory to the four post
having only a standard two car garage.. four post is ideal in that if i wanted to.. can roll it to the other bay..
you have to meet certain requirements to install a two post.. not so with the four..
#23
Urban Combat Vet
iTrader: (16)
^While I'm still sold on the increased utility of a two-post, the fact that you need to anchor it is a short-coming for a residential user. IIRC you need something like 6 inches minimum of concrete. Probably more than the average house garage floor. Not a big deal if you're building and can spec it out, but retro-fitting would make the 4 post a "no-brainer".
#24
Track junkie
Greg Smith makes a nice product and reasonably priced.
Greg Smith Equipment Sales Inc. - The car lift professionals with quality automotive equipment at discount prices.
Greg Smith Equipment Sales Inc. - The car lift professionals with quality automotive equipment at discount prices.
#25
Brings Order to Chaos
iTrader: (18)
I opted not to get the lift jack accessory because it cost more than 1/3 of what I paid for my entire lift. My lift did come with a "jacking tray" where you are supposed to be able to place a small hydraulic jack and lift the car off the runners, but even the smallest bottle jack I picked up from Harbor Freight wouldn't fit under the FD so I could lift it.
I also looked at a MaxJak. I like the fact it could be stored away when not needed, but still provide 2-post lift capability/benefits for service work. Only issue was that it did not lift high enough for what I wanted to store underneath, and the civil engineering evaluation of my shop floor for thickness indicated I was border line.
When the OP does make a final selection, and you select a lift with the (4) rollers that allow you to move the lift around with a car on it, I recommend that you look to get the rollers that are urethane and not steel. Mine has steel wheels and it does not roll well.
Richard