Yet Another (-Post) LIFT thread
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
Here's the hydraulic scissor jack I use...I bought 2 so I can lift the front or rear completely...only $59 each and you can get 10% off on a sale....way cheaper than the jacks available as optional equipment for the lift....they run up to $600 each, or more.
http://www.autobarn.net/mvp22lbhydsc.html
http://www.autobarn.net/mvp22lbhydsc.html
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 42
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville Florida
I know we've been there, but I'm looking for very specific advice from those who have 4-posters. My biggest interest is convenience and ease of use, plus, of course, cost; but I want to get a 4-post Danmar, Bend Pak, etc.
Can I simply drive up on any of them, without extended ramps, etc., and not drag anchor? (My C5 is stock height.)
Also, I think I know the answer to this, but can any of the 4-post lifts be driven "through"?
Thanks in advance....
Can I simply drive up on any of them, without extended ramps, etc., and not drag anchor? (My C5 is stock height.)
Also, I think I know the answer to this, but can any of the 4-post lifts be driven "through"?
Thanks in advance....
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Medford NY
I too own the direct lift mentioned above. It comes with a heavy duty jack cradle that straddles the ramps. Nice feature. This lift requires 10" more than the height of the two cars combined. Two Vettes equal 8'. So, 8'10" is minimum. I bought it because I was looking for a narrow distance between uprights. This fit the bill.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,908
Likes: 735
From: Southwest Kansas
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
My sloped floor is 10'1" at the front and 10'3" at the door. The direct lift can go all the way up with the Corvette on there and I have room for the wife to park her Bonneville underneath.
That hydraulic scissor jack looks like the way to go.
That hydraulic scissor jack looks like the way to go.
CF "Young" Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 26
From: Cupertino CA
St. Jude Donor '12
I know there are ways around this, but I prefer the obvious security of 4 posts holding things that can kill me....plus I can roll the lift out of the garage anytime I need to....plus the ramps are great for setting your can of beer while you are working on the car!LOL
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
When I was researching my first lift in '96, I looked at BACKYARD BUDDY. The salesman for the company was the most obnoxious toad I'd ever dealt with. He badmouthed every other lift manufacturer and made light of the fact that his product didn't need any ALI/ETL certifications. Just accept his word as gospel.
I expected the same professionalism that every other manufacturers representative displayed. They gave me the specs of their products, sent me the brochures, provided website links and let me decide.
Whatever lift you buy, ask about the ALI/ETL certifications done by independent sources. It's the standard for the industry. If it's not certified, I'm not getting under it or putting a vehicle on top of it.
Another consideration is your homeowners insurance. A professionally installed lift was my insurance companies preference if I wanted to be covered.
Last edited by hotwheels57; Oct 5, 2010 at 01:55 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 234
Likes: 15
From: Fall City WA
When I was researching my first lift in '96, I looked at BACKYARD BUDDY. The salesman for the company was the most obnoxious toad I'd ever dealt with. He badmouthed every other lift manufacturer and made light of the fact that his product didn't need any ALI/ETL certifications. Just accept his word as gospel.
I expected the same professionalism that every other manufacturers representative displayed. They gave me the specs of their products, sent me the brochures, provided website links and let me decide.
Whatever lift you buy, ask about the ALI/ETL certifications done by independent sources. It's the standard for the industry. If it's not certified, I'm not getting under it or putting a vehicle on top of it.
Another consideration is your homeowners insurance. A professionally installed lift was my insurance companies preference if I wanted to be covered.
I expected the same professionalism that every other manufacturers representative displayed. They gave me the specs of their products, sent me the brochures, provided website links and let me decide.
Whatever lift you buy, ask about the ALI/ETL certifications done by independent sources. It's the standard for the industry. If it's not certified, I'm not getting under it or putting a vehicle on top of it.
Another consideration is your homeowners insurance. A professionally installed lift was my insurance companies preference if I wanted to be covered.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
I hear you on that. We cut out a ~4x4x4' hole at the base of each post. The concrete that's there only went dont maybe a half foot. I welded up a rebar frame to end all rebar frames, even welded the bolts the posts attach to into the frame, then filled the whole thing in with concrete... it's not goin anywhere.
Yup, that's why we're going to be adding on another garage space to hold a four post. I'm going to set nuts into the flooring where the four posts will be standing, that way I can bolt it down to the floor when I need to, and when I need to move it, I'll have a flush floor surface to roll across.
Yup, that's why we're going to be adding on another garage space to hold a four post. I'm going to set nuts into the flooring where the four posts will be standing, that way I can bolt it down to the floor when I need to, and when I need to move it, I'll have a flush floor surface to roll across.
Great minds think alike!
I like your ideas. On mine I called my home builder and asked how thick/strong the concrete was in my garage. He didn't know...that's all I needed to know to make my decision.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
To be clear the BACKYARD BUDDY could be the best home shop lift on the market. I know they demand a lot more money than other home shop lifts (if that's how you make your choice). Their big selling point is their collar locking system.
"Lift failure" is more often than not the result of an operator error. I ultimately chose the BEND PAK HD9 lift because it has two independent locking systems which offer an added measure of safety. But that doesn't lessen the need for shop safety.
In my final determination, the cost of the BACKYARD BUDDY, their sales approach and lack of certification caused me to buy elsewhere.
"Lift failure" is more often than not the result of an operator error. I ultimately chose the BEND PAK HD9 lift because it has two independent locking systems which offer an added measure of safety. But that doesn't lessen the need for shop safety.
In my final determination, the cost of the BACKYARD BUDDY, their sales approach and lack of certification caused me to buy elsewhere.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,908
Likes: 735
From: Southwest Kansas
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
I don't have any recent pictures of the lift, but here's one from when I had my 94. Along with the lift I spent some money getting the garage door modified so it would clear with the car up all the way.
This picture shows the "dummy" panel added to the door in order to get the geometry to work with the opener.
The mechanism looks closer to the car than it really is.
This picture shows the "dummy" panel added to the door in order to get the geometry to work with the opener.
The mechanism looks closer to the car than it really is.
Last edited by teebee; Oct 8, 2010 at 06:00 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 195
Likes: 3
From: Ponchatoula Louisiana
I knew some folks still had something to say about the merits and disadvantages of 4-posters! This thread turned out to get a life of its own, but all informative. It looks like I have a little homework to do.... Thanks for all the great info~~~~~
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 234
Likes: 15
From: Fall City WA
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,908
Likes: 735
From: Southwest Kansas
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
