Lift Recommendation

[Don Justham]

Hi,
I am going to be purchasing a lift in the near future to use for auto restoration purposes, oil changes, etc. I am scared of the two post lifts due to stability issues. I am thinking about a four post, drive on lift. Just looking for recommendations from those that have a lift. I have heard that the Rotary lift is a good one. What do you think? Thanks for the help.

[Jim D.]

Re: Lift Recommendation

About 5 years ago, there was a group purchase of Superior lifts on the Corvetteforum. Approx. 25 members bought them. Shortly thereafter, I contacted the majority of those members and asked their opinions of the lift. ALL of them said they would buy another one. I called Superior and they gave me the group purchase deal. Like the others, I would buy another one in a heartbeat. High quality and great customer service.

[Stephen L.]

Re: Lift Recommendation

Drive on lifts greatly reduce access to the underside of a vehicle. Not much use when working on a frame/body suspension etc. Good for oil change if the drain is on the centerline.

2 Post lifts are everywhere in the commercial garage industry. Properly installed they are safe......

My 2 cents.....

[Donald B.]

Re: Lift Recommendation

Is space a consideration? I have a small 2 car garage (built in the 1950's) so the width and lenght were major concerns. There are slight differences between brands. Seems everyone on this Board has strong positive experiences with the brand they purchased - never read anything negative about quality.

I ended up with a Bend Pak - made locally (L.A. area), one of the cheaper ones available, and by far the most common in commercial garages in the area.

[Joseph K.]

Re: Lift Recommendation

Several years ago I purchased a two post asymetrical "Rotary" brand lift. After using it these serveral years I would not consider using any other type. For working on your cars there is no better type. I purchased mine from one of the K-Marts going out of business, for 800.00 dollars. While I do not store cars long term in the air I have kept them on the lift for several weeks. Follow your local autions for garages going out of business, you will be surprized whats out there.........Kirby

[Guest]

Re: Lift Recommendation

I bought one of the four post Superior Lifts on the Corvette Forum group purchase about five years ago and have been very happy with it. I initially bought the four post lift to store three cars in a three car garage. I now have larger garages, but the lift is great for oil changes and working on cars.

[Mike McKown]

Rotary Lifts

are one of the best out there. I don't own one. Couldn't afford the price. They cater to commercial use. No reason to have a stability issue with a properly installed two post and they take up less room that the four legger.

It's hard to imagine trying to work under a drive-on four poster.

[Gary J.]

Rotary Lift

I have had my Rotary 2-post lift now for a little over a year. No problems. I would not own a four post lift unless it was just used for storage.

One thing to consider when purchasing a two post lift is the thickness of the concrete floor and strength of the concrete. Make sure the floor is in spec with what the comapny recommends.

Rotary lift is the only lift that is United Laboratory approved.

Gary Jaynes
#3503

[Mac Peppers]

Re: Lift Recommendation

2 post would be my recommendation, don't know anything about a rotary, but i can't imagine anything being better than my manitowac. it' super strong, safe, and very versatial. i use it for everything, even my lawn mower. a 2 post is great for removing and installing the body and for working on the body while it's on a dolly.

[George C.]

Re: Lift Recommendation

Don,
I bought a Double Park 4 post lift about a year ago. It is an inside slider design and very stable. I bought the jack bridge so doing work on wheels and tires is no problem. I went with a 4 post because it also gives me the ability to store three cars in a two car garage. I am sure the 2 post design can be better for allot of major work, but teh 4 post is more universal in my opinion.

George

# 36809

[mike cobine]

Re: Lift Recommendation

I've worked on both 2- and 4-post lifts. While I have never had either myself, several of the shops next to mine have had lifts. Here is my basic take on them from personal experience and observation.

center-post
1. expensive installation
2. frequently cheap from old gas stations
3. hard to do exhaust work, but can be done.
4. bit awkward grabbing the lift arms
5. can be hazardous to low cars
6. good for working on most areas of a car

2-post
1. good for working on the car
2. most common in commercial shops
3. very versatile, I knew one shop that used theirs even as an engine hoist.
4. you can do brake work
5. you can do suspension work
6. not ideal for storing a car, but many shops around here leave cars in the air at night, basically to prevent theft, I guess. Hard to steal a radio or battery from a car 7 ft up.
7. great for changing tires and wheels
8. great for muffler work
9. symmetric 2-post lifts get in the way of doors but asymmetric 2-posts do not.
10. storage is awkward because you have to drive in, then set the arms, then lift.
11. takes little space when empty

4-post
1. storage is ideal, drive in, then lift.
2. can't do wheels and tires
3. can't do brakes
4. can't do suspensions
5. takes up a lot of space when empty

I guess the deal is, if you are looking for extra car storage, and you do moderate under-the-car work like oil changes or transmission changes, then a 4-post is the setup to use.

If you want to use it for all types of car work, then 2-post is the way to go.

[James W.]

Re: Lift Recommendation

I beg to differ on all the items that you are saying "can't be done". I have a 4-post Stinger lift, I designed and built my own jack bridge and have done all the things that you say can't be done using a 4-post lift, all while the car was 4 to 5 feet in the air and was still able to store another car underneath when not working on the car. Give Perry or Steve a call at Stinger Lifts 1-800-854-4850 or at www.stingerlifts.com. They advertise in the NCRS Driveline.

James West