4 post lift opinions?

[dlbvlxgto]

I've been doing some research on 4 post lift. To many choices! Any input would be appreciated.

[sheck44]

If you want to store a car, then 4 post lift is the way to go. If you want to work on cars then a 2 post lift is the optimal choice.

[mitch_04]

I don't know your budget, but if you can swing it then purchase the sliding jacks that mount on the rails. Makes doing wheel work much easier.

[SSLance]

For the home shop guy, Greg Smith Equipment is the place to buy from.

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/home/4-Post-Lifts

I'd buy the heaviest non-certified lift I could afford from them and it'll work great for you. I've got their Atlas 10,000 extra wide extra tall two post lift and I love it. Good people to deal with too. Mine showed up with a little bit of freight damage (it happens) and they took care of everything no questions asked or hassles.

[k7king]

I just bought this one from Greg Smith and love it. I didn't bolt it to the ground and its as sturdy as can be......http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-409-HP-9-000-LB-Four-Post-Lift I put it together in 5 hours with 1 other person and a cherry picker.

I'm saving up for the sliding Jack.

[Mkelcy]

I just bought this one from Greg Smith and love it. I didn't bolt it to the ground and its as sturdy as can be......http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-409-HP-9-000-LB-Four-Post-Lift I put it together in 5 hours with 1 other person and a cherry picker.

I'm saving up for the sliding Jack.

I've been told by both lift installers I've dealt with to bolt my 4 post to the floor. Yes, the manufacturers say you don't need to, yes the manufacturers sell caster kits for them - yet both installers have recovered multiple cars from collapsed 4 post lifts that didn't "need" to be bolted down.

And the rolling jack is a really good idea.

[dhutton]

I've got two Direct Lift Pro Park lifts, an 8000 and a 9000. The 9000 is wider and taller and much heavier in construction. I use the 8000 for storage and work with the 9000 (in addition to my two post lift). If you have the space and the budget I recommend the 9000.

[Rick Dorion]

I have the rolling jack and couldn't imagine being without it. My 4-poster is approx 15 years old. The cost/use is coming down!

[riles]

Bend Pak HD-9ST is highly rated. I have not heard of any incidents involving BendPak lifts like I have the "chinese" brand lifts. Do your homework and do not risk your car but more importantly, your life, to save a cpl hundred bucks.

Two post is fine, IF you have the setup for it , which is reinforced concrete floors(min. 6" under posts). Would not work for me since I have radiant heat in floors, plus like to be able to move the thing to make room if needed. I also don't like the instability of the car sitting on the 2 post. I've used them and always feel unsure when the car starts rocking as I'm trying to force parts off.

[dhutton]

An interesting response to all the anti-Chinese lift talk here in post 22:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-and-c2-corvettes/3370405-car-lifts-2.html

[SSLance]

I've personally seen a 4 post being let down and have one of the four safety locks catch and upset the lift... The operator stopped in time and was able to use jacks to right the lift long enough to get the cables back on the pulleys, but it was still pretty unnerving to see a $70,000 Big Block Pace Car Camaro on a lift sitting all catty wompus... And that was on a Stinger lift which was made in Wichita KS if I remember correctly.

Here is a picture of my 6700 pound extended cab long bed truck lifted high enough on my Chinese made 2 post lift that I can walk under the lift arms without bending down.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2013/12/IMG00061201011161921-1.jpg

I'm always careful when lifting the truck or my Tahoe, but I've never been concerned about the lift failing under the weight. It is built VERY tough...

[riles]

I've got two Direct Lift Pro Park lifts, an 8000 and a 9000. The 9000 is wider and taller and much heavier in construction. I use the 8000 for storage and work with the 9000 (in addition to my two post lift). If you have the space and the budget I recommend the 9000.

You bring up a good point I did not originally observe. When looking at the comparisons, I noticed that Bend Pak compared their 9000lb series to the Direct Lift 8000lb (storage), not the heavier duty 9000. I did not intend to include ALL "chinese" made lifts and apparently fell into the rumor mill promoted by certain companies. And I was not bashing 2posts , I was just advising how uncomfortable I feel doing aggressive work under them.

Lance , exactly how tall are you that you can walk under that truck without bending. It appears to be no higher than that high boy dresser in the picture.

Also check this one , I think he's a fairly new player, I saw him at a major swap meet and he was offering options with the lift for a reasonable cost.
http://garage-toys.com/newfopolimoe.html

[mitch_04]

I've done some very aggressive work under 2 post lifts, they won't fail unless you have the lift points incorrect or are doing something absolutely ridiculous. I like 4 posts better myself, just quick and easy, but wouldn't hesitate to buy a 2 post if it was my only option.

[TheJDMan]

I think two post and four post both have their places. I built my car on a Stinger four post and I was able to install the entire suspension including the DSE subframe. In addition I set the ride heigth and alignment on the lift. That would not be possible on a two post lift. My four post is not bolted to the floor and it went through the earthquake we had here in VA in 2012 with the the car in the air and no problem. It moved about two inches but otherwise no problem. As SSLance stated above I too have seen one of the safety locks catch and I can tell you that was MY fault not the lift's. I have worked on vehicles on both two post and four post and yes you have a little better access on a two post but the vehicle is also not nearly as stable. Take a look at the US made Stinger lifts.

http://www.stingerlifts.com/index.html

If you buy a four post lift you will also need a couple of jack bridges so you can place jacks under the car to remove wheels etc.

[BMR Sales]

An interesting response to all the anti-Chinese lift talk here in post 22:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-and-c2-corvettes/3370405-car-lifts-2.html

While he might be partially right, how about keeping $$ in the US!

The Most Important Reason to buy a US Made Lift is Parts Availability. If your Chinese Lift Breaks, Where are you going to get a Part?

I have a Rotary Revolution 7 Lift - yes it was more expensive, but included in the Price was Delivery & Install. Intially I didn't have it Bolted to the Floor & it might have been fine, But I ended up Bolting them down. That was a Job as my Garage Floor was 14" Thick & I had to go out and Buy a Long Masonry Bit!

I also bought longer Aluminum Ramps & the Jack Bridge, I highly recommend both.

[Josh@Ridetech]

I have a Direct Lift 9000, it makes storing my dad's car under mine nice. I wish I had a two post though, it'd make working on the brakes, suspension, etc. alot easier!

[turbotoddie]

Howdy,
I am in the lift installation/repair business. So, here is my .02. Do not buy a lift that is not certified! Bend pak is the best of the imports that is not owned by Rotary or Challenger. None of the certified lifts will fail structurally as long as you work within its limits. However, the foreign made lifts are crude in their design, fit and finish. I am a dealer for BendPak and they still can't seem to send the right parts with all of the lift info. As for what lifts are made domestically, Challenger and Rotary are the only two pro level lifts made in the USA. Forward is owned by Rotary but is imported. Good lifts as well as Challenger's E series lifts are imported. Direct Lift, Atlas and a host of others are all basically the same and they are fine. Again, do not buy anything that is not certified! Also, you will find the import lifts are rated for a particular weight but most don't have the pump to actually lift that weight.

if you are only working on your cars, 1/2 ton pu, a 9k or 10k 2post will work. As you move up in capacity, the lift arms become taller and lowered cars don't fit on them very well.

As for practicality, a two post is the way to go. 4 posts are great for changing oil, transmissions and exhaust. Everything else is a pain to perform compared to a two post. A 4post is useless without rolling jacks if you buy one. And, I would never work on a 4 post that isn't bolted down.

If you want a good indication of a cheap lift, go to you tube and look up CraigSmith Equipment. They show a noncertified lift being tested and failing.

Todd Farris
Texas Fleet Outfitters-Equip Service
Challenger Lift Certified

[lzdick]

Thanx, Todd...from a man who actually installs/ repairs these lifts. Very informative.

Rich

[dhutton]

My Direct Lifts are certified. They are also cost effective for a hobbyist. I am guessing a substantial portion of the purchase price stays right here in the USA. How much foreign made steel and components are in the US made lifts? These things are not black and white.

Direct Lift has a significant parts inventory here in the US.

[SSLance]

Lance , exactly how tall are you that you can walk under that truck without bending. It appears to be no higher than that high boy dresser in the picture.




I'm right at 6 foot tall and can walk under my lift arms standing straight up when the lift is all the way up.

[riles]

Thanks Todd for the info. Not sure about the statement below. You stated do not get a 4 post without rolling jacks. Do you mean a jack bridge? Also by your statement, if we have radiant heat in the floors we're basically S.O.L. , since we can't bolt to the floor?
"As for practicality, a two post is the way to go. 4 posts are great for changing oil, transmissions and exhaust. Everything else is a pain to perform compared to a two post. A 4post is useless without rolling jacks if you buy one. And, I would never work on a 4 post that isn't bolted down."

[vintageracer]

Shop for a good USED HIGH END (Rotary/Challenger) lift.

You probably will not save much if any money over buying a new import lift however you will get top shelf equipment that will easily out live your lifetime use in your home shop!

Buy high end used equipment/tools instead new cheap import equipment/tools.

[turbotoddie]

Thanks Todd for the info. Not sure about the statement below. You stated do not get a 4 post without rolling jacks. Do you mean a jack bridge? Also by your statement, if we have radiant heat in the floors we're basically S.O.L. , since we can't bolt to the floor?
"As for practicality, a two post is the way to go. 4 posts are great for changing oil, transmissions and exhaust. Everything else is a pain to perform compared to a two post. A 4post is useless without rolling jacks if you buy one. And, I would never work on a 4 post that isn't bolted down."

With that floor, I would assume so. However, we don't have those in central texas so I can't say for sure. As for rolling jacks, I have seen those with bridges and a bottle jack. These work okay but if you can afford a real air/hyd jack from the manufacturer, it will be safer and more stable. I would look for a good used, namebrand lift before I bought a cheapo. Stay away from the one's with chains as chains give no warning before they fail, cables stretch and fray(sp?)first.

Todd

[Subsea69]

Todd,

What about Worth lifts made in Fort Worth, TX. I was looking for good heavy duty lifts made in USA and found them. I'm planning on buying one each of the 2 post and 4 post.

Thanks,
Dwayne

[sylbry]

I have a Garage Toys lift with the rolling jack. Would recommend it to anyone looking for a lift.

[shmoov69]

Todd, your info is great! I got a q for you tho. I bought a house and bought the lift that was in the shop and love it. It's a red Superlifts 4 post unit. I don't know the model number, but it looks well built. I don't know the age either. I do know that Superlifts were built a couple towns over from me, but apparently they sold and then went out of business from what I can find on the net. One of my buddies bought a 2 post from them a few years ago and they told him that they had an "assembled in the US" and a "made in the US" version an the red ones were made here.... Again supposidely. What can you tell me about that and are they good lifts as well as how to find out the rating on this lift? Will it pick up my F250 diesel 4x4? Also, I would like to buy a jack for it. Can you advise there too?
Thanks!

With that floor, I would assume so. However, we don't have those in central texas so I can't say for sure. As for rolling jacks, I have seen those with bridges and a bottle jack. These work okay but if you can afford a real air/hyd jack from the manufacturer, it will be safer and more stable. I would look for a good used, namebrand lift before I bought a cheapo. Stay away from the one's with chains as chains give no warning before they fail, cables stretch and fray(sp?)first.

Todd

[turbotoddie]

Todd,

What about Worth lifts made in Fort Worth, TX. I was looking for good heavy duty lifts made in USA and found them. I'm planning on buying one each of the 2 post and 4 post.

Thanks,
Dwayne

Worth is a fine lift just not as refined as Rotary/Challenger. They are well built and give you great service.

Todd

[turbotoddie]

Todd, your info is great! I got a q for you tho. I bought a house and bought the lift that was in the shop and love it. It's a red Superlifts 4 post unit. I don't know the model number, but it looks well built. I don't know the age either. I do know that Superlifts were built a couple towns over from me, but apparently they sold and then went out of business from what I can find on the net. One of my buddies bought a 2 post from them a few years ago and they told him that they had an "assembled in the US" and a "made in the US" version an the red ones were made here.... Again supposidely. What can you tell me about that and are they good lifts as well as how to find out the rating on this lift? Will it pick up my F250 diesel 4x4? Also, I would like to buy a jack for it. Can you advise there too?
Thanks!

I am not familiar with Superlift. However, you might look up a company called SVI International(Chicago I think?) and quiz them as most of their sales reps have great lift experience. Most 4 post lifts start out at 12000 lbs so it should easily pickup your Ford. Somewhere on the lift there should be a tag with a capacity or at least a model and serial number that you could use with SVI. Also, Allpart in Dallas does a good job with lift parts and information.

Sorry I couldn't help more.

Todd

[shmoov69]

Thanks Todd! I wasn't sure if you were in the business from your responses, but it sounded like it.

[BMR Sales]

I am in the lift installation/repair business.


Todd Farris
Texas Fleet Outfitters-Equip Service
Challenger Lift Certified

This will answer that last Question!

[alphaenvirmgt]

I have a Rotary four post lift and love it. I did purchase pneumatic rolling jack. Very strong. It will take a big pickup truck...no problem. I got one two feet longer than standard. I bought the best I could afford. Getting too old to be crawling under a car.
Conrad