2 Post or 4 Post ?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
2 Post or 4 Post ?
I am lift shopping and trying to decide between 2 or 4 post. It will have a vette stored on it and under it for the winter, but also used for repairs. I like the 2 post for access to the underside of the car, but I am thinking the 4 post is better for storage. What say all of you?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
I have a 2 post and it is great. Storage only I would go for a 4 post. If you do work on it then a 2 poster is better. I have stored my car for a few months on the 2 post lift with no problems also. Also think about garage space. The 2 post takes up a lot less space if the garage is tight. They are wider but not nearly as big.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
We park a daily driver below the lifted car so a four post seemed a better choice for us. I used the four post for a transmission change but the two post would be better for some other repairs. I use short bottle jacks under the corners if I need to get wheels off either on or off the lift.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
I have a 3 car garage, a 16' door and an 8' door. The lift will go in the 3rd stall with the 8' door. The edge of the door is only about 3" from the wall, so I will have to steer around the lift post.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 370
Likes: 77
From: Perth Western Australia
I would use a 4 post for storage or any time for that matter.
Too much frame flex for my liking when lifting with a 2 post. Check what happens to your door gaps when using a 2 post
Also heard of cracked T tops when lifted on a 2 post.
Too much frame flex for my liking when lifting with a 2 post. Check what happens to your door gaps when using a 2 post
Also heard of cracked T tops when lifted on a 2 post.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
I have both, 2 post should be your first lift purchase. 2 post is much better for maintenance (brake work?) and 4 post for long term storage. Buy a quality lift like a Rotary there is some real junk on the market, even the low end Rotary stuff has Chinese parts......
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,717
Likes: 551
From: Seattle Washington
Using an 8' door will make it pretty tight with only 3" on the side. One thing to keep in mind its not so much what Your going to put on Your Lift its what Your going to put under it. I ordered my Superior 4 poster 12 years ago extra wide and extra tall. I have a 02 Silverado and I still have to pull the Mirrors in to get under it. My Lift has served me well but I will say that if I was going to do it all over again a 2 post would be my choice
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Sounds like you're committed to a 2 post....but for me it's 4 post all the way. How often do you pull the wheels or brakes anyway? Should be years before you mess with brakes and even a 4 post works fine. You can use a jack that fits between post rails or a floor jack on the ramps...or a jack with the jack tray and place jackstands under it.
I really like the convenience of just driving right on the lift and hitting the button to raise it.
Plus stability and storage is much better on 4 posts...which can also be placed on the rollers and move around the shop or even outside. I have a buddy who rolls his lift outside and puts the car on it so he can pressure wash underneath it every year.
JIM
I really like the convenience of just driving right on the lift and hitting the button to raise it.
Plus stability and storage is much better on 4 posts...which can also be placed on the rollers and move around the shop or even outside. I have a buddy who rolls his lift outside and puts the car on it so he can pressure wash underneath it every year.
JIM
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
If your going 2 post I would only go with an assymetrical lift as it makes entry exit from vehicle easier but, you should check on specs for your garage flooring to see if it will take the loads.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 664
Likes: 89
From: Marysville Ohio
Last year I struggled over this same decision - finally went 4 post for a few reasons:
- Like 427 Hotrod, I could just drive right up lift the car with no "preparation" or worry about lining up the arms or avoiding the posts when opening my doors (I actually just park on it anyway).
- Stability - I know a good 2 post setup is stable, I just felt better if I need to leave my car up for an extended period. For flexibility of maintenance on the brakes or suspension, Jack trays and bottle jacks give me the flexibility to lift the car.
- Portability - If I ever move, the 4 post is simple to break down. It's not necessary to anchor it in the concrete, I can also move it outside or to another garage bay if I have the need
- Cost was not a deciding factor, as many 2 posts are affordable - but for the money, it made sense.
I've found my 4-post worthwhile for all types of work on my mower, my truck and my wife's car as well.
I certainly wouldn't turn down a good deal on a 2 post, but no regrets on my choice.
- Like 427 Hotrod, I could just drive right up lift the car with no "preparation" or worry about lining up the arms or avoiding the posts when opening my doors (I actually just park on it anyway).
- Stability - I know a good 2 post setup is stable, I just felt better if I need to leave my car up for an extended period. For flexibility of maintenance on the brakes or suspension, Jack trays and bottle jacks give me the flexibility to lift the car.
- Portability - If I ever move, the 4 post is simple to break down. It's not necessary to anchor it in the concrete, I can also move it outside or to another garage bay if I have the need
- Cost was not a deciding factor, as many 2 posts are affordable - but for the money, it made sense.
I've found my 4-post worthwhile for all types of work on my mower, my truck and my wife's car as well.
I certainly wouldn't turn down a good deal on a 2 post, but no regrets on my choice.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 840
Likes: 4
From: Syracuse IN
I have a 2 post 12k lb lift. I bought the wheel lift adaptors for storage. Best of both worlds. I have used the 2 post from lifting snowmobiles, to 28' boats. can't do that with a 4 post. I do have 8" of reinforced concreet on the floor, not one single crack. Check it out.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 840
Likes: 4
From: Syracuse IN
I recommend buying the biggest you can afford and get in your garage. Mine has 12' between the post's. Easy to enter the car, doors never hit the post's Even on the Suburban or large trucks. I wanted to make sure I could drive lift a trailer with 8 1/2' witdth up easily. Like I have said, once you have a lift, you will find so many ways to use it. Next for us is to install an overhead hoist on a trolly going fore and aft. This will facilitate pulling the motor much easier. Al
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 925
Likes: 7
I only have an 8'-4" ceiling in a 3 car garage, so 4 post for me. You can get a rolling bridge jack that spans the 2 ramps and rides on the inner rail anywhere along the ramp length. This makes all the wheel removal and brake work easy. I have reconfigured my garage several times and I can move the lift around by myself, 2 people would be easier, but definitely possible with one.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
Wow, all very good posts and good points. I guess I'm still undecided, but have a lot more info. My ceiling is 10'6", so a 2 post with the overhead bar would have to go up into the attic. The floor plate model wouldn't have that, but would have that hump in the middle to deal with. The other unknown is my floor thickness, before I decide on a 2 post, I'll have to drill a hole and measure it, doubtful it's thick enough.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 840
Likes: 4
From: Syracuse IN
Most floors are at least 4" thick some are up to 6". Like I posted, mine was 8". Most lift companies recommend a miniumum of 4" of reinforced concrete. Mine is held down with 16 3/4" bolts with concrete anchor's. Yes, the bolts and anchors came with the lift. Al
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
The other thing I'll have to deal with is the overhead door and opener. What have others done. I'm thinking the rails will need to be close to the ceiling and either remove or reconfigure the opener.
