Lift - 2 post or 4 post
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 47
From: Scarborough Maine Fredericksburg VA
Lift - 2 post or 4 post
I need to put a real lift in. I currently have a Rotary sissor type that is good for brakes and oil changes but I want to fit more cars in the garage. I know a two post has advantages when working on the vehicle but what about storing the car.
So the question I have is this - is a 2 post lift ok for storing a car over the winter. It will be in the air for at least 3 months. Pros and cons on having the suspension "un-sprung" please.
AlsoI will be selling the sissor lift if anyone is within pick-up distance.
So the question I have is this - is a 2 post lift ok for storing a car over the winter. It will be in the air for at least 3 months. Pros and cons on having the suspension "un-sprung" please.
AlsoI will be selling the sissor lift if anyone is within pick-up distance.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 3
From: belle plaine ks
I would not store a car on a two post lift. It would not help the frame out over long term storage. Corvette frames strike me as being fairly flimsy. You have to make decisions based on what you are going to do with the lift. I bought my two post to work on the underneath side of my vehicles pretty much anywhere and every where underneath. You cannot do that with a four post lift. Say you want to bleed the brakes on a four post lift. You will have to jack the car up off the lift while it is in the air to do the same thing you could do on a two post lift just by taking the wheels off after you lifted the car. The four post however is a good choice if you wish to park as many cars in area as you can fit and is ideal for long term storage. You have to decide what you are going to do most with the lift, storage or service and buy accordingly. One will be better at one thing and the other will be better at another.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
I store my '80 on a 4-post 7' Backyard Buddy. I chose a 4-post because I could move it anywhere I wanted in my garage, I can store another vehicle under it, and I didn't need to anchor it or have a thicker-than standard concrete floor with anchors.
The only downside is that I still have to put the car up on jack stands to work on the suspension - a small price to pay...
The only downside is that I still have to put the car up on jack stands to work on the suspension - a small price to pay...
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 2
From: North Royaton Ohio
I'm just going by my own opinion and no facts here, but to me it seems like a 4 post would be better for storage. On a 2 post, you holding the vehicle in the middle and letting weight hang over the front and rear of the car. The point where the car sits on the lift acts like a fulcrum and I imagine with some time you could notice some adverse effects. I think it would be best to let the car be at rest as it would normally sit on the ground.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,429
Likes: 44
From: Macon, GA
I bought a 4 post lift with a hydraulic center jack to lift the car off of the ramps. Now I can pull the wheels whenever I want to. It debated for months over the same 2 post vs 4 post. I didn't want to drill holes in my concrete either and the 4 post is mobile.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 355
Likes: 1
From: Pennsville NJ
I think Sperkins has a great setup there. When I chose my lift I went with a 2 post. I love it and I'm glad I got it. I went with the 2-post because I use it to work on cars, not as a storage lift. For working on cars its great... its a quick way to get all four tires off the ground and nothing is in the way. In the future I do plan to put a 4 post in the bay next to it so I can store a vehicle. Just try and figure what you plan to do with it most, to help make up your mind.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,961
Likes: 573
From: Lompoc, CA. Santa Barbara County
Four post for storing vehicles, two post for maintenance. I have a two post, and for safety concerns, any project that takes more than a day, I lower the car overnight. You lift by four points on the frame, and there is some movement. I don't let anyone under the car when I'm working on it. It just seems unsafe for long term storage. But it's great for working on the car, and since it's outside, great for dirty work and cleaning.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 59
Likes: 1
From: Wellington CO
I just put in my 1st lift, it's a 4 post for storage and maintenance:
I have the jacktray for suspension work if I need it. If I find I don't like that setup, I have an RV carport out back that would be the perfect place for a 2 post if I pour a slab out there. It's got a 12' ceiling which would make things really nice (shop is 10')
I have the jacktray for suspension work if I need it. If I find I don't like that setup, I have an RV carport out back that would be the perfect place for a 2 post if I pour a slab out there. It's got a 12' ceiling which would make things really nice (shop is 10')
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
I think the single largest advantage of the four post lift is not having to upgrade the flooring. A two post lift requires a higher strength concrete and thicker than most residential garage floors have.
Plus when you move you take the lift to your new house!!!
Plus when you move you take the lift to your new house!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,429
Likes: 44
From: Macon, GA
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 47
From: Scarborough Maine Fredericksburg VA
Sounds like its a 4 post as most of the use will be storage. I will use it for working on them but a car will be stored 7 days a week. I also do not have any facts about it but it just seems hard on the car for a two post for long periods. I was always told to open the door when you lift with a 2 post to relieve some of the stress - again not sure if this makes a difference just something a Vet builder told me.
I was looking at the 2 post as someone local will install an American made lift for a very nice price and he thought they would be better - he is also selling them. I guess its a 4 post and keep the sissor jack for suspension work.
Thanks guys.
I was looking at the 2 post as someone local will install an American made lift for a very nice price and he thought they would be better - he is also selling them. I guess its a 4 post and keep the sissor jack for suspension work.
Thanks guys.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,140
Likes: 7
From: Ohio
It takes a little time on a four post to block the car up to work on the brakes. You have a place to set the tires on the ends of the lift and a lot of room to lay your tools. A two post is great if you have a large shop and can spare the room. Most people have the garage full no matter how big it is.
