Choosing a garage lift (and a garage to go with it (oh, and a house too)) - Page 3

rumatt · 12-22-2005, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARCHER

For anyone interested in a traditional lift, however, I don't mind doing the legwork on a repo unit for you. Or at least trying to hook you up with the guy. He's redneck, but he definitely knows his shit when it comes to garage equipment.

Thanks for the offer. When I get ready to purchase I might take you up on it.

ARCHER · 12-22-2005, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumatt

Thanks for the offer. When I get ready to purchase I might take you up on it.

No sweat. I'd be happy to do it.

I was hot on the trail myself but within 15 minutes from my house, I can be at my brother's shop and have the Jeep in the air - with much better tools than I have at home.

A lift in my garage would be the definition of financial irresponsibility, but damn, it would be cool.

rumatt · 12-22-2005, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARCHER

A lift in my garage would be the definition of financial irresponsibility

I'm all about financial irresponsibility.

Pinecone · 12-23-2005, 04:54 AM

They do make 2 post lifts for lower ceiling heights. Also what is above the ceiling? You may be able to remove the ceiling over one bay and raise the the center of the trusses to allow a lift. Our garage is built with arched trusses that raise the center section an extra 2 feet or so.

Yeah, just adding a drain is not perfect, but better than nothing.

lemming · 12-23-2005, 11:51 AM

when i get the addition done and a proper garage, i'm going to put in the two post lift system. i would not even bother messing around with that scissors lift.

dan · 12-23-2005, 12:04 PM

good deal on a two post lift here:

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/ap011.html

bren · 12-23-2005, 12:14 PM

The benefit of a lift of any type is the ability to get the car up high enough that you can stand under it. If your garage doesn't allow for that, then a set of jackstands is good enough.

Rob · 12-23-2005, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bren

The benefit of a lift of any type is the ability to get the car up high enough that you can stand under it. If your garage doesn't allow for that, then a set of jackstands is good enough.

Being able to roll around underneath it on a stool would be good enough for me. High enough to actually see what's going on would be fine. Jackstands work when they are all you have, but I would never consider them "good enough" if I could get another 3 feet of lift space. Even the scissor lifts save a ton of time if you change wheels and/or brakes often, say for the track or autocrossing.

It's also a lot safer to use a lift that raises the whole car at once instead of jacking up a car that has the other side on jack stands, imo.

Alan · 12-23-2005, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumatt

Why's that?

Well I had hired someone to do it and while he did a thorough job cleaning the floor and painting it the floor still had indented parts from old concrete that chipped away ...

I wanted my floor to look like John's (from the fest). Then to make matters worse when it got wet, it is a little slippery though with time it seems to be getting better.

*clyde* · 12-23-2005, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug

I agree with Pinecone and Blee, get the 2 post. If you find a shop going out of business you can pick them up fairly cheap

shops going under a great place to find all sorts of tools for cheap. That said, new 2 post lips aren't all that expensive, particularly when you're factoring in the cost into a home purchase. It could easily cost 5x the cost of the lift itself to make the lift work in an existing property or even more if you have to build an entire new garage to use it at all... Which brings up another idea... Could always install the lift outdoors. Almost every shop in socal has at least one outdoor lift, with most having a bunch. Back in DC, I've been seeing more and more places with outdoor two-post lifts.

12-23-2005, 04:54 AM	#24
Pinecone Carmudgeon Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,717	They do make 2 post lifts for lower ceiling heights. Also what is above the ceiling? You may be able to remove the ceiling over one bay and raise the the center of the trusses to allow a lift. Our garage is built with arched trusses that raise the center section an extra 2 feet or so. Yeah, just adding a drain is not perfect, but better than nothing. __________________ Terry Carraway 2002 Topaz E46 M3 2000 Dakar M Roadster 1995 Alpine E36 M3 LTW 1990 Red/White Spec Racer

12-23-2005, 11:51 AM	#25
lemming Western Anomaly Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: White Orca Posts: 16,614	when i get the addition done and a proper garage, i'm going to put in the two post lift system. i would not even bother messing around with that scissors lift. __________________

12-23-2005, 12:04 PM	#26
dan redefined Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 14,896	good deal on a two post lift here: http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/ap011.html __________________ "There's a freedom you begin to feel the closer you get to Austin, Texas." -Willie

12-23-2005, 12:14 PM	#27
bren lawn boy Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: e46m3, f25x3,C5 Z06, C4 Vette, 06 CTD Ram, and a trailer Location: Maryland Posts: 14,029	The benefit of a lift of any type is the ability to get the car up high enough that you can stand under it. If your garage doesn't allow for that, then a set of jackstands is good enough.