Ceiling height for 4 post lift?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 706
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From: Vienna VA
Ceiling height for 4 post lift?
I am having a garage built and want the ceiling high enough to accommodate a 4 post lift. Does anyone know the minimum height that I need to stack one Vette on top of another?
Scientific Negotiator
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: USA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'10, '14
Originally Posted by testpros
I am having a garage built and want the ceiling high enough to accommodate a 4 post lift. Does anyone know the minimum height that I need to stack one Vette on top of another?
I can verify that my Vette fits on my SJ-7000 with the Magnum under with a NINE foot ceiling (but barely).
That being said, I would try to get 12 feet or more (if you can).
Good luck...
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,363
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From: 1994 LT1 Coupe 6-speed with FX3 & 2000 LS1 Vert 6-Speed with F45 Hunterdon County, NJ
A number of the 4-post lift web-sites (e.g. backyardbuddy.com) have calculation forms and dimensions which should help you calculate the mininum requirements.
Also, the garage door openner and track are often raised to clear the 2nd car above (although with the 2nd car backed-in it may clear).
Also, the garage door openner and track are often raised to clear the 2nd car above (although with the 2nd car backed-in it may clear).
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,743
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From: Omaha Nebraska
St. Jude Donor '06
My Vert runs right at 48 inches tall... (I think?) times two, plus 4 inches for lift runways... Like Devnull said, it's 9 ft on the min side... You also need room to raise the lift off of the locking mechanism... all of this equals 9 foot MIN. You go less if you are NOT going to park another Vette under the lift and some have...
In addition, you didn't ask nor state but are you going to work under it? When I put a TALLER vehicle on top of mine (in my 11 foot tall garage) I can't raise it as high and you have to stoop under it to work under there in those cases... My lift is a taller and longer version so that when my Vette is one it, I have plenty of room under it to walk and park under it daily...
Taller is good!!
In addition, you didn't ask nor state but are you going to work under it? When I put a TALLER vehicle on top of mine (in my 11 foot tall garage) I can't raise it as high and you have to stoop under it to work under there in those cases... My lift is a taller and longer version so that when my Vette is one it, I have plenty of room under it to walk and park under it daily...
Taller is good!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 45
From: Castleton VA
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Originally Posted by testpros
I am having a garage built and want the ceiling high enough to accommodate a 4 post lift. Does anyone know the minimum height that I need to stack one Vette on top of another?
Ideally, it would be nice to be able to stand under the lift -- that's 6ft.
Add 4 ft. for the height of the vette, and you're at 10 ft.
Add something less that a foot for the thickness of the lift ramps (4-4.5"), room to come off the stops (2-3"). If the stop height isn't at exactly at the level you want to clear the top of your head, add 2-3" to get to the next stop above it. That's roughly 11 ft.
And add a last foot for "margin" (a taller vehicle than the Corvette; non-recessed lights if you have no other option; min. 6" clearance for the horizontal portion of a high-mounted garage door if the lift would be near the door, etc.). There ya go -- 12 ft. if you can do it
Last edited by mneblett; Mar 6, 2006 at 11:21 PM.
Scientific Negotiator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,728
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From: USA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'10, '14
Originally Posted by testpros
Thanks a million for all the feedback. I never thought about making it high enough to easily walk under to work upright. 12' it is... Thanks again all.
Now come over to my house and help me raise my ceiling another 3 feet....
dammit...
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 434
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From: Shiloh Illinois
St. Jude Donor '09
I'm glad this thread came up. I was going to post the same question, but I already have a 10 ft ceiling.
What is a decent name brand lift. Does anyone know of make or model that is better than the average?
What is a decent name brand lift. Does anyone know of make or model that is better than the average?
