Building a new garage. Lift or Pit ??
 

Well, actually, I got a 24 x 24 foot garage for free. Since we have to pour new footings and floor, should I go with a pit or lift. Were in Northern IL, so the winters can be COLD. Project starts in about 3 weeks. !!! Thanks for your input.

Yorkville? Bob check your PM's.

Oh, definitely a lift.
Falling into a pit really sucks, much worse than walking into a post.

AAGGGHHH:willy: Flash back to Biz school. Do a cost analysis on both options, then determine which option fits your need.

My dad had a pit in his garage/warehouse (6800 sq.ft) It fit his needs at the time, back then a "lift" was a big hydraulic shaft coming up out of the floor. Expensive. Plus it had grates over the top so you could walk over it safely. When we were kids my brother and I would use it as a "dungeon" for all the neighbor kids.:D

Today lifts are reletivly cheap AND they are portable when it comes time to move. Try that trick with a pit!:rofl:

[QUOTE=OTS_UFN;1560786327]AAGGGHHH:willy:
My dad had a pit in his garage/warehouse (6800 sq.ft) It fit his needs at the time, back then a "lift" was a big hydraulic shaft coming up out of the floor. Expensive. Plus it had grates over the top so you could walk over it safely. When we were kids my brother and I would use it as a "dungeon" for all the neighbor kids.:D

[QUOTE]

this is really funny, the dungeon!

i vote for a dungeon with grates

this is really funny, the dungeon!

i vote for a dungeon with grates

you can use a lift for alot more than just oil changes as you would with a pit!! ;)

Hmmm? Let say you are in a pit changing a gas filter, buddy stops by with his cigarette about the time the line comes loose and of course you get soaked with gas. Got the idea? Get the lift.

I can give you insight here , as I am just now completing my garage after over one year of construction , a pit is good for quick fluid changes , I also have two four posts lifts, great for fluid changes and car storage (one on top of the other) , I just (yesterday) ordered a two post lift for the "work" bay for dirty jobs, removing wheels, tranny etc. the pit couldnt be used for tranny pulls, rear ends etc. and also to remove wheels etc or to clean the ENTIRE bottom side of car, I only see limited appeal for the pit.

I'd get a drive on lift, rather than a 'ram' type.

I'd choose a lift over a pit. :yesnod: A lift is much more versatile.

Lift is cheaper............

Lift!
 

Its would really be nice to be able to get the wheels off at a workable height. Definately more versatile than a pit if you can do it.

my .02

Get a lift! However just make sure to have a minium of 4-6 inches of concrete if going to put in a 2 post . My 2 post was the best investment I made- Gregsmitheguipment .com

Definitely the lift. It's safer, portable (should you ever decide to move), more versatile and, if you build the ceiling high enough, you can park a second Vette under it.

What do you need for sidewall height with a lift. I am putting a garage up soon and was wondering if 9' is enough.

A lift certainly rolls on casters MUCH better than a pit! :lol:

Lift the the best way to go more uses than a pit . Here is my lift
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...Feb22_0003.jpg

I vote lift - I rented a garage for a few years from a friend that had pits in it. It's difficult to do any kind of service with a pit that requires the wheels be removed. No good way to support the vehicle. Lifts are cheaper than installing a pit and eventually when you sell the house the pit could be a liability/concern if a potential buyer has kids. A lift you could choose to include in the sale or simply remove it and bring it with you.

Depends on the lift. The 2 post floor plate lifts are 9' 3" high. I have a 10ft. ceiling in my garage. Can lift the vette up nice and high. Gonna have to vault the ceiling to get my 30 coupe up to work comfortable underneath

I built my 30x36 garage with 6" concrete floors and 30' attic trusses so there are no columns. Unfortunately, I didn't anticipate installing a lift so I built the wallws with a double baseplate, 10' 2x6's and a double topplate which give me in the vicinity of 10'-4" of total ceiling height. I shopped around for a 2 post lift for 6 months. Most "clear floor" come almost 14' high but I found one that was 10'-2" chain driven drive over style. Keep in mind what kind of lift you are looking for with ceiling hieght as a factor.