4 Post Lifts
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,770
Likes: 33
From: Cohasset MN
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C1 of Year Finalist
4 Post Lifts
I'm sure this topic has been discussed before but I'm relatively new to the forum. I am in the market for a 4 post lift. I have looked at Stinger and Eagle. Do any of you have any comments on your experiences with either model?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,501
Likes: 0
Re: 4 Post Lifts
There's several on the market, if this is what you mean?
Sorry I couldn't find an image with a Vette on it. :( This one came from http://www.autolifters.com but there's several manufactorers around. Anyone got some feedback on quality vs price?
Sorry I couldn't find an image with a Vette on it. :( This one came from http://www.autolifters.com but there's several manufactorers around. Anyone got some feedback on quality vs price?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,923
From: Washington Michigan
Re: 4 Post Lifts (Mac)
Almost all of them are base-priced within $200-$300 of each other; I looked at seven or eight different ones, and went with the Cytech Double-Park ( http://www.doublepark.net ) . This is one of the few that's actually made by the company that sells it, and it's very well designed, engineered, and manufactured. I didn't even bother to look at the ones with sliders on the outside of the columns, for safety reasons. Figure on buying some of the options to increase the lift's flexibility - I bought aluminum ramps instead of steel (MUCH lighter to handle and store), the caster kit so I can move it around, plastic drip pans, oil drain container, sliding jack bridge, and a bracket to offset the power unit to the front (instead of the standard mount on the side). I've had it for two years, and it's been up and down at least 100 times - sure beats lying on your back on the floor! :)
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,770
Likes: 33
From: Cohasset MN
2017 Corvette of the Year Finalist
2016 C1 of Year Finalist
Re: 4 Post Lifts (JohnZ)
John: Thanks for the info. All of the different lifts seem to have basically the same features and dimensions so I appreciate your sharing your experience with Cytech. By the way, I also have a 1957 Corvette, Onyx Black/Silver, 245 HP, 4 speed. From your picture, it looks like you are having an NCRS tech session.
Art
Art
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,501
Likes: 0
Re: 4 Post Lifts (JohnZ)
JohnZ, it sounds like you did your research before purchase. What was your deciding factor? Could you share your impressions of the various types you checked? If you'd prefer to forward information off-forum, I would be greatly appreciative!! (wmac@telus.net)
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,923
From: Washington Michigan
Re: 4 Post Lifts (Mac)
As an engineer, I made my decision based on how the unit was designed and manufactured, the material selection, hardware quality, finish quality (powder-coat), and safety-testing procedures. Cytech makes their own lift (many of the others are made by one manufacturer and are only "branded" by the outfits that sell them), and it's the only 7,000# rated lift that's been successfully tested by ANSI (American National Standards Institute) procedures at a 21,000# load. The folks at Cytech are great to work with.
I was the Viper Plant Manager for six years, and Cytech set up one of their lifts at our annual week-long Viper Owners' Invitational race meets (as did several other lift manufacturers) every year, which was a great opportunity to make comparisons; it has become the "lift of choice" among Viper owners, many of whom are also engineers.
I'm sure there are many other good lifts out there, but I selected the Cytech Double-Park based on my own preference and 37 years' experience in engineering and manufacturing. It's a quality piece.
I was the Viper Plant Manager for six years, and Cytech set up one of their lifts at our annual week-long Viper Owners' Invitational race meets (as did several other lift manufacturers) every year, which was a great opportunity to make comparisons; it has become the "lift of choice" among Viper owners, many of whom are also engineers.
I'm sure there are many other good lifts out there, but I selected the Cytech Double-Park based on my own preference and 37 years' experience in engineering and manufacturing. It's a quality piece.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,501
Likes: 0
Re: 4 Post Lifts (JohnZ)
Thanks, JohnZ. Sounds like Cytech is the way to go. I remember you said most lifts were within $200-$300 range of each other. How do they compare pricewise- top, middle or bottom of the scale. Their website doesn't give pricing. :confused:
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,923
From: Washington Michigan
Re: 4 Post Lifts (Mac)
Mac -
The price list I have (2/1/00) shows the following:
DP-7 Lift - 3,165.00 (includes freight via common carrier)
Aluminum ramps instead of steel - 285.00
Caster kit - 345.00
Jack bridge - 85.00
Drip trays (6) - 120.00 (or 20.00 each)
Front mount bracket - 45.00
Oil drain rig - 95.00
Drive-thru option (ramps work at both ends) - 145.00
Call (1-800-754-8786) and talk to Alvin Hammerschmidt to verify prices, and he can tell you anything else you need to know about it; tell him the Viper Plant Manager sent you (he delivered mine and set it up for me).
The price list I have (2/1/00) shows the following:
DP-7 Lift - 3,165.00 (includes freight via common carrier)
Aluminum ramps instead of steel - 285.00
Caster kit - 345.00
Jack bridge - 85.00
Drip trays (6) - 120.00 (or 20.00 each)
Front mount bracket - 45.00
Oil drain rig - 95.00
Drive-thru option (ramps work at both ends) - 145.00
Call (1-800-754-8786) and talk to Alvin Hammerschmidt to verify prices, and he can tell you anything else you need to know about it; tell him the Viper Plant Manager sent you (he delivered mine and set it up for me).
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 321
From: Massachusetts
Re: 4 Post Lifts (abdo)
I bought my 4 post lift 4 years ago from Eagle Equipment. I use it for storage and light repair work. The lift is of high quality, works perfectly and I couldn't be happier. As mentioned above the drip pans, jack bridge, and casters are really necessary to use the lift as intended. I've seen the others like Backyard Buddy etc. and the Eagle is definately compareable. They are an outstanding addition to any garage. Good Luck with whatever you buy.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,501
Likes: 0
Re: 4 Post Lifts (Dave Strickland)
I hate to admit ignorance (I am a man, after all!) but what exactly is a jack bridge? Does it run between the rails so you can lift the body or frame independent of the suspension? If so, is it pneumatic or hydraulic?
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,923
From: Washington Michigan
Re: 4 Post Lifts (Mac)
Mac -
It's fabricated from heavy steel channel, with a flange on each end, and slides back and forth the full length of the lift on the inner edges of the deck plates; you can set a bottle jack in it, jack up the frame or control arm, and put a jackstand under those locations to do chassis work with the wheels off.
It's fabricated from heavy steel channel, with a flange on each end, and slides back and forth the full length of the lift on the inner edges of the deck plates; you can set a bottle jack in it, jack up the frame or control arm, and put a jackstand under those locations to do chassis work with the wheels off.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 473
Likes: 18
From: Holland MI
Re: 4 Post Lifts (JohnZ)
As John knows, my Dad and I bought the Cytech Doubel Park unit at Carlisle this year as well. We have been looking at them for the last few years at different car shows, and both thought this one was by FAR the nicest and easiest to use.
In my opinion, their caster set up is THE slickest thing I've ever seen. It is really the thing that cinched the deal for us. We set the unit up with a few Corvette friends over an afternoon after it was delivered from the factory. I highly recommend getting ALL the options for the lift, although I'm not sure that the power unit relocation is needed as John did. We bought the stool, two of the drain kits (one for oil, one for coolant), two jack bridges, 3 drip trays
Right now my 71 coupe is on the lift. I've got some work that I've been postponing while I waited for this baby to arrive.
And John, amazing how the pictures I took at the same event standing right next to you look so similar. :seeya
Patrick
In my opinion, their caster set up is THE slickest thing I've ever seen. It is really the thing that cinched the deal for us. We set the unit up with a few Corvette friends over an afternoon after it was delivered from the factory. I highly recommend getting ALL the options for the lift, although I'm not sure that the power unit relocation is needed as John did. We bought the stool, two of the drain kits (one for oil, one for coolant), two jack bridges, 3 drip trays
Right now my 71 coupe is on the lift. I've got some work that I've been postponing while I waited for this baby to arrive.
And John, amazing how the pictures I took at the same event standing right next to you look so similar. :seeya
Patrick
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,923
From: Washington Michigan
Re: 4 Post Lifts (PHulst)
Patrick -
Yes, it IS amazing, isn't it! Patrick took a bunch of great shots that day (better than the ones I shot), so I use them (Quality counts, in the O.R. and in the garage too :) ).
Yes, it IS amazing, isn't it! Patrick took a bunch of great shots that day (better than the ones I shot), so I use them (Quality counts, in the O.R. and in the garage too :) ).
