2 post lift question
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
2 post lift question
I have had a 2 post lift in my other house for a few years. It worked very well. Fast forward to now and I am in a new house with a slightly smaller garage. The height of the lift is real close but will fit. My problem is the width of the lift. A 2 post is quite wide and my garage is a little narrower. Now the directions are very specific about the width of the columns. I have looked at this many times and can only come up with its because the cables are a certain length. What if I shorten the cables say 6 to 10 inches and move the columns that much closer. I will never put an SUV or big wide car/truck on the lift. It is pretty much Corvette specific so I can make it for Corvette size. I would probably have to shorten the hydraulic hose also which is no big deal. Also the drive over plate will have to be shortened but being a saw blade salesman I have pretty good knowledge of shortening steel. It seems to easy to do this am I missing something here. Here is a picture of the cable system. My guess is they had to make a generic lift for bigger vehicles so someone decided this was a good width. I just need it narrower by a few inches to fit better in the garage.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
You probably have two separate cables for saftey reasons.
You're right in assuming the only thing needed is to shorten the cables to make the lift narrower.
I would mount the posts the distance you want, then thread the cables properly and actually measure at the adjustment mounting point how much shorter they need be.
The ends are probably swagged on. A rigging supplier can swag a new mount end on the other ends and leave the adjustment end alone. These guys know what they're doing and also certify the crimp for a certain load.
Alternatively, you may also be able to make a strong enough sleeve for the adjustment end to shorten the cable if it is only a few inches or so.
You're right in assuming the only thing needed is to shorten the cables to make the lift narrower.
I would mount the posts the distance you want, then thread the cables properly and actually measure at the adjustment mounting point how much shorter they need be.
The ends are probably swagged on. A rigging supplier can swag a new mount end on the other ends and leave the adjustment end alone. These guys know what they're doing and also certify the crimp for a certain load.
Alternatively, you may also be able to make a strong enough sleeve for the adjustment end to shorten the cable if it is only a few inches or so.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I have a distributor of mine that sells cable so they should be able to hook me up with the proper ends. The cables have been in storage for a few months and I can't remember how the ends are put on right now. I will bring the cables home soon and look at them. Laying it all out in the garage tonight it looks like 12 inches over will work the best.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,897
Likes: 1,353
From: Santa Ana CA
I had my two post AutoLifter made 1 foot narrower (from 8 feet to 7 feet) between the uprights by the factory at no extra charge. They simply shortened the cable and narrowed the bar that connects the two posts at the top by 1 foot.
Last edited by toddalin; Sep 6, 2013 at 01:48 AM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
After more measuring in the garage and careful placement I will be narrowing it by 12 inches. This should still leave plenty of room to work on the Vette and have it not consume the garage. Still have lots of work to do and am putting in a bigger shed to help with the garage over flow. Then clean it out, paint the floor then install the lift and start putting it back together.
