Morning guys,

Got in my Christmas present a couple of days ago, thanks wife, nice 2 post asymmetric lift.
Question: I am a little tight on space so I need to be pretty accurate with placement of lift, but how the heck do you figure layout with a asymmetric style? From most pics I have found it appears that the post will stand about the front of door jambs but would like to be more accurate than just a guess. I have a plan view of layout but that is about it. Lift vendors will not commit to layout due to variations of so many vehicles. I am only interested in vettes.

Dang, sorry for such long question but thanks in advance!

tt

 

I have a couple BackyardBuddy 4-post lifts. No 2-post - so be advised that I am no expert on 2-post lifts.

First be sure that you have a strong enough concrete floor. All concrete is not alike, so thickness alone does not make concrete stronger. These MUST be properly bolted to the floor. You most likely know this but I am concerned for your safety.

If it were me, I would simply place the pillars wide enough apart for a full size pickup with mirrors to pass through. Depending upon the design of your 2-post, the width may be predetermined.

As far as the angle between the posts, I would simply experiment to see how the lift arms are angled and how far each side is extended when in use with various vehicles. Of course, there is the consideration that various vehicles will extend fore and aft to different lengths.

You don’t want to limit yourself as to what vehicles you can accommodate. You may have a pickup or SUV that you would like to service even if that service were a basic engine oil change.

Apparently with the feedback you received from the manufacturer, angle degree is not “set in stone” even though the lift itself must be “set in stone” so to speak.

Hope this helped - at least a little. Good luck and congrats - you'll LOVE that lift! My next may be a 2-post as I already have two 4-post lifts.

 

I have my C5 on a two post lift at this moment, and this is what I see.
The Center Of The Post Is 21" to 22" back from vertical center of front of door to front fender gap. Hope this helps.

 

How deep is your garage/shop where you plan to mount the lift? You may need to consider closing a bay door when the lift is being used. You may need to move your garage door opener/tracks as well. The minimum pad height on two post lifts is typically 3 5/8" to possibly 4" depending on the manufacturer, so you may need ramps to enable the positioning of the asymmetric arms to lift a Corvette.
You need to determine the position of the asymmetric lift based on the ratio of your vehicle weight balance front to rear. Find the center of balance. A C5/Z06 is going to be different than any other vehicle, but you don't want to limit your abilities to lift other vehicles.
Four inches of fully cured 3,000-3,500 psi concrete is the minimum requirement for a typical four post or two post lift. Up to six inches of fully cured concrete is the minimum requirement for a heavy duty lift for commercial vehicles.
If you're unsure what you have in concrete specifications, you may need to cut out existing concrete (2x2' or 3x3') and re-pour footers. You can make them as deep as you want depending on vehicle(s) you plan to lift and the lift mounting feet. You can use steel rebar for additional strength. Your contractor or city/county building permit department may have your concrete specifications if the construction is new enough.

 

Use the dimensions from instructions . My 2 post lift on the main arms . The rubber lifting pads are 1" from floor pan.
I decided not to get the symmetric one.
mark post position on ground. Pull car in between and see where the arms will end up.
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Hi gr8vet -

Congrats on the lift! Nice present!

I am not 100% sure what you are asking above. My symmetric lift has a fixed width between the posts, so there was no problem configuring the lift, I just bolted it down to the floor to the specifications on the installation manual.

Just to be clear, here is an explanation of the two varieties of lifts:

http://www.completehydraulic.com/faq.html

Since C5 corvettes are nearly 50/50, I chose the symmetric style.

I position the cars with the outside rearview mirrors centered on the posts, and the lift arms are just right to position them under the lifting puck areas.

Here is a link to my pictures on cardomain from when I was installing my lift.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/595972/2

Congrats again on the new lift - and please post pictures when you get it installed!

good luck and best regards -

mqqn

 

I just love you guys, thanks for all the input.

Thanks for all the safety reminders too. I do have 3000psi with fiber and wire mesh averaging 5 to 6 inches. I am squeezing this thing in the front end of our screen print shop. 10' x 8' high door opening, 23' high ctr building.

All of your suggestions and info should help me get the thing in the right spot.

Thanks again,

tt

 

Thanks,

The positioning of the width is set per design. But my question is front to back, as this will be my limitations due to space. My instructions had no clear measurements on how to obtain a true center of the car to the lift. Your pics helped greatly along with the other guys.


tt

 

Hi gr8vet -

I placed my posts 10 feet from the rear wall.

I have a double door that swings inward, so I left a little bit more room that would be necessary.

For most vehicles, while on the lift, I can still swing the doors open.

I left 3 feet from the nearest side wall. Remember that one post will have the fluid tank and pump motor etc., which will take up some clearance on that side.

best regards -

mqqn

 

Again guys, thanks for all the input. Your help made things go alot quicker.

With the Asym. design, we came to the conclusion for Vettes that the short arm needs to be almost 90 degrees to post, I think we marked it off at maybe 10 degrees off center, this allowed for swing arms to clear all tires. After bringing my C5 in and marking all points on floor, matching front lift point to floor, post at about 10 degrees off, once lifted we were maybe 2 inches off at most front to back. I had good clearance side to side but needed to dodge the roll up door in front and our screen printing press in the rear.

Thanks to alot of good friends and fellow Mid Alabama Corvette club guys it went up without much effort.




Jeff, the big guy in the pic and club President offered up his project c3 for the first run, viola!




Then another sacrifice came from Jack and his C4.



If anyone would like more info just holler, fun project, sure to provide much needed help in service and current restoration projects with much added safety. Cost of lift was $ 1300 which is a 9000# with $200 delivery. The shorter lift which is not a clear floor type is actually $100 less. We need clear floor to keep our print shop functioning.

It is an American Automotive Equipment Co lift out of Dallas Tx, I spoke with two other owners before purchase and they both were pleased with theirs.

Best

tt

 

NICE LIFT
Let the mods begin