Would love to have a 4 post lift ... but only have an 8ft ceiling in the garage so that's a no go. Really considering the Quick Jack when the funds allow. Would make changing tires/oil and majority of things I can much simpler. Tonight I'll be lifting up each corner like a sucker to switch tires.
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Enough of COVID...what are you doing to the house?
- Thread starter mimico_polak
- Start date
Trials
Well-known member
If it was engineered it would call for a thickening under each post, retrofit, concrete garage floor might be as thin as 3 inches. (less than that and somebody messed up)
Met a guy earlier this year that had a 4 post installed in his garage. What he did is basically cut out the concrete with about a 24x24" space under each post, built a wooden form and then poured the concrete within the hole and an extra 2-3" above the level in the rest of the garage floor.
I'd consider that level of effort for two post as you can have ugly moments and it is inherently unstable but I just dont see the need with a four post.
Is that simply because of more load on the 2 posts versus it being split over the 4 post? Technically a 4 post lift...is similar to 4 tires making contact on the concrete...with the additional weight of the actual lift, which I don't think would be different than parking a Hummer v an Impreza.
Trials
Well-known member
The problem is all those bolt holes you're putting in the concrete,
and you're right, the forces should normally be all compressive and we are not talking that much weight. The problem would be when you went to park a second car under the first and accidentally hit the post, that would suk.
and you're right, the forces should normally be all compressive and we are not talking that much weight. The problem would be when you went to park a second car under the first and accidentally hit the post, that would suk.
That is why I park under the storage lift. Damned tight. My wife has the open spot (although she would be under or on the heavy lift if it happens, it will be ~8' between posts)
We've got a 2 car garage....I'll be damned if more than one car even gets in there. Doing rough calcs b/w the bench and the storage shelf...maybe 3ft total space left if both cars are parked.
Only two locations but more importantly most vehicles are not 50/50 weight distribution so you have big forces trying to tip a two post over. For a 5000 lb pickup at 70/30, you are looking at close to 1000 lbs ~6' out from the towers trying to break them out of the floor. If you drop the engine, the force now goes the other way in most vehicles.
It is a very rare garage where you can get more than n-1 cars in.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
Me too I only have 8' so no hoist. I like the Quickjack too, get one and let us know how you like it!
When I built my garage I had to decide whether 2nd story living space or 12' of hoist space was more valuable. Since my wife sometimes makes me sleep in the garage, I decided sleeping in a room upstairs would be more comfortable than sleeping on a hoist.
I could definitely make the garage higher....however our bedroom is above it...so...I'm ok with a 5ft ceiling in the bedroom, she's not. Go figure.
I'm also considering a 'storage lift' like @GreyGhost mentioned. The Subaru will definitely fit underneath it.
I remember a thread (possibly early stages of this one) where people posted photos of lifts and garage racking but I'd have to go through the history. One of the guys on another street in the neighbourhood built a storage space above the car. 4 post on 4x4 lumber but obviously no lift...just a space above the car.
OK. Got you on why you recommend the beam. The engineer specified the rebar schedule which I followed. I reused all of the wood in the support walls, although it was a pain waiting for it to set.
If you are going static platform, it will be really hard to beat industrial racking for stability, capacity and price. I ended up with a storage lift because someone was moving and needed it gone. It will take the mini (hopefully next year) but for now has some junk and summer tires on it.
Lots of options out there. It may be the only way to ensure only the WRX has a spot in the garage as the Odyssey may be too tall!
She's got a remote starter on her car anyway lol.
I went with a 1 post lift will see how it works out when delivered. Peak SML-6
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Let us know how you like it. It would be nice to be able to open all the doors without dinging posts. Do you have to load the vehicle with the engine towards the mast? If so, it has a lot of metal in your way.
Mast is at the side of the vehicle like a 2 post but missing a post.
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Thanks. Got it now. Being able to move it around easily would allow me to get snows up into storage loft and out of the way.
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