Lift Question
Thread Starter
Lepus-temperamentalus
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,827
Likes: 5
From: Roswell Ga
Lift Question
My garage ceiling is 9.5' high. Will a lift fit in there with the garage door?
I know I'll have to get someone to relocate the door so that it fits closely to the ceiling, but will it work otherwise? Will I be able to store a car underneath?
I know I'll have to get someone to relocate the door so that it fits closely to the ceiling, but will it work otherwise? Will I be able to store a car underneath?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
A lift will certainly fit (I'm assuming you're looking at 4-post since you want to store a car under it.) at that height but you will be limited in what height car is stored underneath. My ceiling is ~10 ft. and I originally stored my '03 Mustang GT under it which was almost 6 inches taller than either of my C5s. Moving the garage door up for better clearance is a good idea - mine was already nicely placed when I bought the house so I didn't need to mess with it.
Clearance above the door. Notice I back my vette onto the lift for better clearance under the garage door. The door opener is not over the vette as it's in the middle of the two-car garage ceiling so between the cars.
Carole now parks under it.
Clearance above the door. Notice I back my vette onto the lift for better clearance under the garage door. The door opener is not over the vette as it's in the middle of the two-car garage ceiling so between the cars.
Carole now parks under it.
Last edited by Patches; May 30, 2010 at 09:53 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 444
Likes: 4
From: Waynesboro VA
I have the bend pak xd-7 and my ceiling is a little less than 10 feet. I did raise my garage door tracks up a few inches so I could roll the lift around on the casters without hitting them. You need to take good measurements of the cars you want to park on and under the lift. Get the lift dimensions from the manufacturer’s websites, as they all are different. Now get you ceiling height and do some math to see what will work for you since you are limited on space. Remember when doing you math to figure for space you need to raise the lift to disengage the safety locks. There are plenty of threads about lifts on the forum. Under the search feature just type in what kind of lift you are looking for such as; four post lifts. I have a thread out there, from when I bought my lift that has a lot of info in it from me and several other forum members with lifts. Hope this helps.
Thread Starter
Lepus-temperamentalus
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,827
Likes: 5
From: Roswell Ga
Thanks guys.
From your posts I see I have good news and bad news.
Yes, it'll fit, but no, my Toyota Tacoma won't go under it.
That being the case, I'd rather have the two poster. Any problems with that? Ground clearance?
From your posts I see I have good news and bad news.
Yes, it'll fit, but no, my Toyota Tacoma won't go under it.
That being the case, I'd rather have the two poster. Any problems with that? Ground clearance?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
No problems with a 2-poster but these considerations.
1) Concrete must meet minimum thickness/strength and placement requirements relative to existing cracks or separate pads must be cut and poured into the concrete for proper installation.
2) Two post lifts are generally taller so you'll need to check that not only can it clear your door but your ceiling as well, depening on model of course. I know there are some as short as about 8 feet high.
3) You'll need to drive up on boards (some attach them to the floor permanently) to get your vette high enough to clear the lifting pads/arms of most 2-posters.
4) It's not recommended you store a car on a 2-post lift for any extended amount of time salthough you can store a car between the 2 posts sitting on the ground.
There are other types of lifts that might be more suited to your garage such as the new MaxJax portable or a midrise lift in the links below.
http://www.gesusa.com/Dannmar-MaxJax...-p/1375659.htm
http://www.gesusa.com/BendPak-LR-60-...t-p/120201.htm
1) Concrete must meet minimum thickness/strength and placement requirements relative to existing cracks or separate pads must be cut and poured into the concrete for proper installation.
2) Two post lifts are generally taller so you'll need to check that not only can it clear your door but your ceiling as well, depening on model of course. I know there are some as short as about 8 feet high.
3) You'll need to drive up on boards (some attach them to the floor permanently) to get your vette high enough to clear the lifting pads/arms of most 2-posters.
4) It's not recommended you store a car on a 2-post lift for any extended amount of time salthough you can store a car between the 2 posts sitting on the ground.
There are other types of lifts that might be more suited to your garage such as the new MaxJax portable or a midrise lift in the links below.
http://www.gesusa.com/Dannmar-MaxJax...-p/1375659.htm
http://www.gesusa.com/BendPak-LR-60-...t-p/120201.htm
Thread Starter
Lepus-temperamentalus
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,827
Likes: 5
From: Roswell Ga
Thanks Patches.
I've considered the Max-Jax and the midrise, but for the money, either a four poster or a two poster just does the job better.
How the hell do you know how think your concrete is without digging it up?
I've considered the Max-Jax and the midrise, but for the money, either a four poster or a two poster just does the job better.
How the hell do you know how think your concrete is without digging it up?
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
From: Hotlanta GA
Two posters also require considerably more width - too much in most two car garages.
You can find out the thickness by drilling near a corner. My understanding is that most residential garage floors are too borderline to trust with the average two poster.
You can find out the thickness by drilling near a corner. My understanding is that most residential garage floors are too borderline to trust with the average two poster.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Dan makes another good point - 2-poster width.
I think most residential garage concrete hovers around 2500-3000 psi. That's a bit weak for a 2-poster but I've seen a few here do it regardless. Some cut 2 pad sections out of the floor and pour stronger concrete footers in. I drilled 16 holes in my floor to anchor my 4-poster in place for great stability, although it's not required. Each hole only took a few minutes.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...tml?highlight=
I think most residential garage concrete hovers around 2500-3000 psi. That's a bit weak for a 2-poster but I've seen a few here do it regardless. Some cut 2 pad sections out of the floor and pour stronger concrete footers in. I drilled 16 holes in my floor to anchor my 4-poster in place for great stability, although it's not required. Each hole only took a few minutes.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...tml?highlight=
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