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I am looking to install a lift in my new garage but have not decided if I want a two post or four. Any suggestions?

4.

Awe come on Hedge - a 2 post lift is the way to go.

4 post lifts leave your tires / suspension still loaded and are fine for storage but not so great for working on your rig.

A 2 post lift raises the vehicle from the frame and is much better for doing work on brakes, suspension, etc.

I hope to install a 2 post lift this fall or winter.

Two posters are great if you dig up the floor and anchor them in concrete, and even then you stand a chance of wearing 3 tons of truck for a hat. If this is a free-standing unit I would opt for the three or four post systems.

Stability is in the eye of the designer. I would never consider a lift (2-post or 4-post) unless I planned on anchoring it to a concrete floor of sufficient strength to meet all safety requirements. When a 2-post lift is installed correctly - no doubt it is safer than driving an AD with stock brakes through the streets of Seattle.

Touche.

I've been using a free standing 2 post everyday for 10 years. They are safe "if" installed and used properly. After installation, making sure the weight of the vehicle is distributed evenly is number one in my book. A two post takes more time to get a vehicle in the air because of the time it takes to position the vehicle and the lift arms. A 4 post is simple and fast to use. Any vehicle you can drive on it, if it's within the weight limit of the hoist, can be raised. With the 2 post I use, (Rotary) sometimes it is almost impossible to position the arms to lift some vehicles safely (Furd PUs come to mind), IMHO. A 4 post is what I am going to install in my shop. Most of the time I just need something in the air for service. I don't like the idea of a bro-in-law,nephew or friend asking my wife if they can use the hoist for a small job. A 2 post is great in that it leaves the whole under side clear and the suspension hanging free. But a 4 post most anyone can use. A 2 post requires thought.

There are pros and cons to both. Talk to several users of both types. Most folks are happy to tell you how they like what they have, and what they would buy next time. Mike

Slomoe,

How do you determine if the weight is evenly distributed when using a two post hoist? Sorry if this is a dumb question but I've always wondered.

We use a two post style lift here in our shop, and there are pros and cons to both. I would say overall a two post is the way to go, but you really have to plan your job and set your vehicle up properly before you use it.

As far as worrying if someone will use your two post lift while your not around, PULL THE FUSE. That way you will not have to worry about your drunk uncle Larry having his 87 Buick falling off of the lift and possibley knocking some sense into him

oldblue, I guess. But I'm pretty good at it. I don't just drive in and lift it. I look it over and try to determine the best way to lift it. The only way to know for sure would be to weigh each axle of the vehicle and figure from there.

gmc, good solution, that never crossed my mind. I will install a lockable switch box just for the hoist. A 2 post is looking better all the time. Thanks. Mike

The two post lift I looked at had two extendable arms on each post. Each arm rotated from the mount on the post and also had a sliding cradle that would make contact with the frame.

When weight was put on the cradles/arms, they automatically lock into position. This allowed the cradles to be placed just behind the front wheels on the front of the vehicle and just behind in front of the rear wheels at the back of the vehicle.

Slo . . . is the 2-post lift you are using like this?

Ken, yep that's what I have, Rotary 9000 lb . But all vehicles are not created the same underneath. Some are a lot harder to find a point to place the arms with the vehicle positioned right for lifting. The danger is you can have too much weight on the front or rear arms, making the lift unstable. They are great lifts but, they require use of some grey matter to use safely. Mike

I am hoping that the only vehicles that will have to go up on the lift are old chevy trucks and maybe a 55 Buick Riviera every once in a blue moon. Seems like there should be plenty of good lift points on these old trucks.

I have been looking at the Bend Pak units. Does anybody have any recommendations on these or any others?

Ken, I haven't seen the BendPac lifts. For use in a home shop, I'd think any of them would last a long time. What size ya thinking of, 7K, 9K? Mike

9k or 10k - I would like to be able to lift my 4400 which tips the scales at 8300 lbs empty.

How about digging a pit??!!

Ha ha - just a joke with those that know about my pit building project....still not concreted, but all dug and ready for the concrete! I got side-tracked with running new wiring to my garage and air conditioning my garage.

Here's the site of pictures from the digging, for those of you that did not see, or those that might care to look:

http://westcountybands.hypermart.net/greasepit.html

We use a four post lift at work. We can drive full size school buses on it or pickups. The ramps are about 18" across. A **** Ranger will just fit on it as well as 84 passenger bus. At first I didn't like it cause you had to bend over to get under the ramps. If you raise it high enough to walk freely, then you cannot reach the vehicle. But the safety factor far out weighs the complants. With a crossrail air jack, you can lift the frame or axle with ease.

Check with the manufactor about concrete thickness under the posts.

Joe

I have used 2 post for years at work. It does get a bit scary on some vehicles, mainly **** trucks. When I get one it will be a swing arm 2 post model. That is the rear arms are longer than the front ones. The doors do not tend to hit the lift post and damage your paint. Looks funky but I have put F350s on then.
there is no such a critter as overkill when SAFTY is at stake. Do the homework have it installed right and take NO SHORTCUTS. most of all be careful no matter what lift you get, there is some danger anytime the wheels leave the ground.
Brad