Anyone have a car lift in their garage?

[Zorba]

I hate jacking up my cars. It is the worst part of doing routine maintenance, IMHO. So I have been wondering about the possibility of installing a lift, has anyone else put one in?

BTW - I know that jacking up a car really isn't that big of a deal.

 

[Overgloc]

Try going to Local Car Dealer that is closing and buy their use Lift. one could be have for around 1k.

 

[Gillbot]

Two post lifts are not really meant for the typical "home garage" as they require an extra thick floor and other precautions.

You can get a simple 110v four post lift though that is suitable for use in a home garage.


Here's an article about this matter: http://www.highperformancepont...ift_install/index.html

 

[lurk3r]

There are several in the $3000 range new, be very careful, new cars weigh alot more every day, you want to make sure its capable of handling it when you miss balance the load (don't get the car perfectly in the middle of the lift).

 

[Vetterin]

I don't but my neighbor had one installed in his garage 2 years ago and it's really nice. He usually keeps his 07 Vette on the lift and parks his 56 Belair under it and his DD on the side. Personally, if I had the choice, I would prefer a 3 car garage.

 

[Squisher]

From what I see those lifts are designed for storage, not for working on the vehicle. Since a great deal of work involves tires, wheels, brakes, suspension you'd need a lift with swing arms to lift from the frame/sub frames. Also, a storage lift might not be designed to take someone applying any sideways force on the vehicle like when you work on it. It could buckle and pin you underneath.

 

[Zorba]

Originally posted by: Gillbot
Two post lifts are not really meant for the typical "home garage" as they require an extra thick floor and other precautions.

You can get a simple 110v four post lift though that is suitable for use in a home garage.


Here's an article about this matter: http://www.highperformancepont...ift_install/index.html

We are planning on building a new house within a year or so, so I would get the foundation poured correctly.

I would definitely want something that lifted at the frame and not the tires, so you could do brakes, etc. So probably a two-post or something like the Mid-Rise lift here: Link

 

[Gillbot]

many of the 4 post lifts have cross bars to allow brake work and tire changes also.

 

[IcePickFreak]

I don't have one, and I try not to even think about it as an option to protect my wallet.


That said, this guy has the setup here. In-floor lift
They fit between the front & back tires and you block it under jack points or on the pinch weld, etc.
Unfortunately it seems like he had to jump through hoops a bit to get them, but if your doing it during new construction it just may be worth the trouble. You might want to try contacting him for more info.

And if you're bored, check out the rest of that thread. That guy definitely has skills working all those carbon fiber body panels. Too bad it's all wasted on a Ford. :laugh:

 

[hanoverphist]

Originally posted by: Zorba

Originally posted by: Gillbot
Two post lifts are not really meant for the typical "home garage" as they require an extra thick floor and other precautions.

You can get a simple 110v four post lift though that is suitable for use in a home garage.


Here's an article about this matter: http://www.highperformancepont...ift_install/index.html

We are planning on building a new house within a year or so, so I would get the foundation poured correctly.

I would definitely want something that lifted at the frame and not the tires, so you could do brakes, etc. So probably a two-post or something like the Mid-Rise lift here: Link

that mid-rise would scare the hell out of me while working on a car.

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: hanoverphist

Originally posted by: Zorba

Originally posted by: Gillbot
Two post lifts are not really meant for the typical "home garage" as they require an extra thick floor and other precautions.

You can get a simple 110v four post lift though that is suitable for use in a home garage.


Here's an article about this matter: http://www.highperformancepont...ift_install/index.html

We are planning on building a new house within a year or so, so I would get the foundation poured correctly.

I would definitely want something that lifted at the frame and not the tires, so you could do brakes, etc. So probably a two-post or something like the Mid-Rise lift here: Link

that mid-rise would scare the hell out of me while working on a car.

That's what I was thinking. Looks incredibly top-heavy and unstable with a car on it.
I want to install a lift when I finally get my own house. I think I'd feel most comfortable with a 4 post.

 

[Zorba]

Originally posted by: hanoverphist

Originally posted by: Zorba

Originally posted by: Gillbot
Two post lifts are not really meant for the typical "home garage" as they require an extra thick floor and other precautions.

You can get a simple 110v four post lift though that is suitable for use in a home garage.


Here's an article about this matter: http://www.highperformancepont...ift_install/index.html

We are planning on building a new house within a year or so, so I would get the foundation poured correctly.

I would definitely want something that lifted at the frame and not the tires, so you could do brakes, etc. So probably a two-post or something like the Mid-Rise lift here: Link

that mid-rise would scare the hell out of me while working on a car.

Yeah, I was kind of thinking that also, I would definitely want to see one in person before I bought one.

 

[Zorba]

Originally posted by: Gillbot
many of the 4 post lifts have cross bars to allow brake work and tire changes also.

Do you know of a specific manufacturer or have a link to one? The 4 posts look like the best, if you could lift at the frame instead of the tires.

 

[Gillbot]

just google 4 post lift, there are many many manufacturers out there for them. Nearly all of them that I have seen have accessories such as the frame lifts and drip pans.
See here for the frame lift: http://www.directlift.com/Pro-Jack-3500-P45C18.aspx

Also, many 4 post lifts can be rolled around so they are not tied to the floor. They are self standing which is nice if you ever move or care to work outside in your driveway.