Car lifts again..

With my house in Az getting into the final stages of construction, I need to figure out my garage situation here. Thankfully its better than it was in Cali. My ceilings here are 10ft 6 inches high, and 1 of my 2 car garages is very deep, like 28 ft I think. The other 2 car is like 24 ft.

 

First off Im trying to figure out if its better to do a a 2 car lift in the deep garage, because it will allow for more room without the need for 8 posts if I was going to put in 2 single car lifts. The downside is having to move 2 cars out of the garage everytime I want to bring one down.

 

The other thing i noticed is that when looking at Tonys lift, its very narrow between the posts. Like only 94 or 95 inches . The Carrera Gt fits underneath ok, but on the upper portion of the lift you lose like another 6 inches on each side, giving something like my Murci approx 1/4 inch between posts. I definitely would want something wider to make things easier.

 

This is Tonys lift... http://www.directlift.com/Four-Post-Lift-P...dard-P44C9.aspx

 

Im also doing the garage door lift and side mount door openers.

 

Some pics also of garage layout..

 

Have you considered a single post lift?

Have you considered a single post lift?

I have but they worry me.

I have but they worry me.

 

Same here. A friend has had a heavy ass lightning on one for two years with no issues.

I see a mclaren sticker on the wall. Did you get a mclaren? Thinking maybe ive missed something.

You’ve got what, four spaces without a lift. How many cars total do you plan on having? You drive them all pretty regularly, what about doing a four post side by side instead of deep?

I see a mclaren sticker on the wall. Did you get a mclaren? Thinking maybe ive missed something.

That's from my McLaren SLR..

You’ve got what, four spaces without a lift. How many cars total do you plan on having? You drive them all pretty regularly, what about doing a four post side by side instead of deep?

Well without daily drivers I have 5 right now, and I do plan on more. The lifts would be side by side.

i'll try to post pictures of my garage soon, but i have some photos up on my IG @ danielksong . i recently put a 4-post lift in my garage. i had SUPER tight height tolerances, which doesn't look like you'll have an issue with. i did a fair amount of research before getting the lift.

 

1) get the high-lift garage rails. (which sounds like you are) - it'll give you clearance over the top car.

 

2) lift master makes a great jack-shaft (side mount) garage motor. super quiet and also has an auto deadbolt lock when the garage closes for extra security. i have the "wifi" version that allows you to open and close on their app if you'd like.

 

3) direct lift looks a LOT like AutoLift too. i have a feeling manufacture might be same but made under few brand names. i've seen another lift called "######" that also looks VERY similar. i was going to do a BendPak HD9 - which was most recommended and probably the most popular brand name - but it was nearly $3000 without install. AutoLift was $1900 and INCLUDED: drip trays, caster wheels, jack tray, etc. all paid accessories for BendPak. i honestly didn't see where the EXTRA $1000 would go in a BendPak... here's a few PERKS about the AutoLift brand:

 

a) Bendpak requires compressed air. The air helps lock and unlock the safety locks as you raise your car. The AutoLift system uses just a manual lock system which you pull on a safety lever as you lower the car - again looks like DirectLift one has the SAME system from your photo. NOT needing the additional air source was more convenient for me.

 

ALL the extra accessories are worth it. Caster wheel kits are expensive and would allow you to move lift in case you were going to do work in garage, etc. The DRIP tray is almost a necessity to avoid unwanted dripping and leaks from car above.

 

c) SPRING for the optional aluminum ramps - unless you plan to keep approach ramps attached to the lift, but you'll need an ADDITIONAL 3-3.5' behind the lift if you want to keep them on. the steel ramps are heavy and can do some serious toe damage if you drop them or something. 2 aluminum ramps are lighter than 1 steel ramp.

 

 

all that being said... i WOULDN'T do 2-car LIFT. the idea of moving 2 cars OUT just to get to 1 car on top seems like a huge hassle to me. i think having a 1-car (4 post) lift side by side is fine. the loss of SPACE is minimal if you consider putting the posts RIGHT side by side. essential a thicker column. as long as the 1-CAR lifts are abutted together, you should be fine and should be the most convenient way to get cars in and out.

 

hope that helps - again have a few photos of my LIFT on my IG.

Definitely do the liftmaster 8500 jackshaft openers, they are fantastic.

 

I wouldnt do a tandem lift, not only a hassle to move multiple cars, but all the steel beams will be substantially larger and take up a lot more room.

 

Brooks has a pretty sweet single post that seems to work well. If you arent lifting anything super heavy i wouldnt worry about it one bit. But you may need to confirm your slab thickness to use one.

 

Id be looking at a couple bendpak hd9s installed side by side. Yeah they need air but its a super safe setup.

 

 

 

i'll try to post pictures of my garage soon, but i have some photos up on my IG @ danielksong . i recently put a 4-post lift in my garage. i had SUPER tight height tolerances, which doesn't look like you'll have an issue with. i did a fair amount of research before getting the lift.

 

1) get the high-lift garage rails. (which sounds like you are) - it'll give you clearance over the top car.

 

2) lift master makes a great jack-shaft (side mount) garage motor. super quiet and also has an auto deadbolt lock when the garage closes for extra security. i have the "wifi" version that allows you to open and close on their app if you'd like.

 

3) direct lift looks a LOT like AutoLift too. i have a feeling manufacture might be same but made under few brand names. i've seen another lift called "######" that also looks VERY similar. i was going to do a BendPak HD9 - which was most recommended and probably the most popular brand name - but it was nearly $3000 without install. AutoLift was $1900 and INCLUDED: drip trays, caster wheels, jack tray, etc. all paid accessories for BendPak. i honestly didn't see where the EXTRA $1000 would go in a BendPak... here's a few PERKS about the AutoLift brand:

 

a) Bendpak requires compressed air. The air helps lock and unlock the safety locks as you raise your car. The AutoLift system uses just a manual lock system which you pull on a safety lever as you lower the car - again looks like DirectLift one has the SAME system from your photo. NOT needing the additional air source was more convenient for me.

 

ALL the extra accessories are worth it. Caster wheel kits are expensive and would allow you to move lift in case you were going to do work in garage, etc. The DRIP tray is almost a necessity to avoid unwanted dripping and leaks from car above.

 

c) SPRING for the optional aluminum ramps - unless you plan to keep approach ramps attached to the lift, but you'll need an ADDITIONAL 3-3.5' behind the lift if you want to keep them on. the steel ramps are heavy and can do some serious toe damage if you drop them or something. 2 aluminum ramps are lighter than 1 steel ramp.

 

 

all that being said... i WOULDN'T do 2-car LIFT. the idea of moving 2 cars OUT just to get to 1 car on top seems like a huge hassle to me. i think having a 1-car (4 post) lift side by side is fine. the loss of SPACE is minimal if you consider putting the posts RIGHT side by side. essential a thicker column. as long as the 1-CAR lifts are abutted together, you should be fine and should be the most convenient way to get cars in and out.

 

hope that helps - again have a few photos of my LIFT on my IG.

 

Do they make a lift thats wider in between posts? I only saw one that was only like 89 inches in between posts. Thanks for all the info!

 

Do they make a lift thats wider in between posts? I only saw one that was only like 89 inches in between posts. Thanks for all the info!

 

dumb question but how much clearance is there for the doors if you park the Murci or diablo underneath. With the doors up will you have to be careful?

yes, my rotary revolution lift is wider....

 

 

http://www.revolutionlift.com/RFP9-9000-Po...-Lift-P2C4.aspx

 

 

 

Do they make a lift thats wider in between posts? I only saw one that was only like 89 inches in between posts. Thanks for all the info!

i think DIRECT and AUTOLIFT only have the version that's 94-95" wide. BendPak has some that are wider in clearance. (still 4 post)

mine is 109"

You can see just how little clearance the Diablo has on the top portion of the lift...

small warehouse?

Spend the money and buy a quality american made lift if possible... most of the asian made ones are total POS. (speaking from experience!!!)

Spend the money and buy a quality american made lift if possible... most of the asian made ones are total POS. (speaking from experience!!!)

I will get good lifts that are certified..

dumb question but how much clearance is there for the doors if you park the Murci or diablo underneath. With the doors up will you have to be careful?

I will park the Lambos on top

I have two T*I*T*A*N ( must be a banned word, lol ) four post lifts. Rated at 7000 lbs. They are about 6 years old and I have had no issues other than an o-ring leaking on the hydraulic line one time. It was right when I had them installed, and honestly feel it was installer error. Otherwise, I have them inspected and adjusted every other year.

 

I do not know the width, however I can measure. I can park my Aventador under one and I can open the door. Position is everything, and I have pool noodles on the lift just to be safe. But it works just fine.

 

I have 13' ceilings, however the garage door does impede just a little.

 

Again, feel free to reach out if I can be of any help.

 

 

 

Mike

I have two T*I*T*A*N ( must be a banned word, lol ) four post lifts. Rated at 7000 lbs. They are about 6 years old and I have had no issues other than an o-ring leaking on the hydraulic line one time. It was right when I had them installed, and honestly feel it was installer error. Otherwise, I have them inspected and adjusted every other year.

 

I do not know the width, however I can measure. I can park my Aventador under one and I can open the door. Position is everything, and I have pool noodles on the lift just to be safe. But it works just fine.

 

I have 13' ceilings, however the garage door does impede just a little.

 

Again, feel free to reach out if I can be of any help.

 

 

 

Mike

 

Mike, curious how wide is your garage?

Is it standard 20 ft wide?

I feel like I wouldn’t be able to put 2 lifts side by side in my garage....

 

 

Mike, curious how wide is your garage?

Is it standard 20 ft wide?

I feel like I wouldn’t be able to put 2 lifts side by side in my garage....

 

They are staggered. On is just in front of the other.

 

That allowed me to have both, and for a taller car ( like my Hellcat ) I can use the lift that sits further back to allow more clearance between the auto/garage door.

 

Mike

They are staggered. On is just in front of the other.

 

That allowed me to have both, and for a taller car ( like my Hellcat ) I can use the lift that sits further back to allow more clearance between the auto/garage door.

 

Mike

 

Ok that makes sense and smart!

Do you have a side pic or oblique view?

Ok that makes sense and smart!

Do you have a side pic or oblique view?

 

I do not have much more on my phone, but these should help.

 

 

 

It works out fine. Of course, it is a little tight. You need to pay attention to mirrors etc when backing in. But it was the only way I could fit the obsession into my garage space

 

Mike