Help Us Build 2x2 Garage

[SS Drifter]

I just spent almost an hour composing this thread, and it got pissed away on an I.E. Error Report..............



ANYWAY, We are building a house from the ground up. Garage space will be 2-wide X 2-deep. I want a lift, 220, and space to disassemble... and "entertain" (God, I hate that HGTV catch-phrase.) I am not a wealthy person, so the trick ideas you experienced people have has my eyes wide open. Send us links, comments, ??

I am sorry this does not sound as professional are my original transcription... I am slightly irritated at this time

[Bill Howell]

You are talking about something 24X40? minimum for what you need. Ever thought about maybe a basement for some of that. They are cheaper to do if your lot is right-just a thought. If you do a lift, plan on at least 11.5' of headspace, and don't forget you have to allow for garage door to clear when opened.I built a 3 bay garage and it worked out fine (lift in last bay) but you need the right floor plan for one.
Just a couple thoughts from a builder........

[SS Drifter]

Thinking about 24-27w for (door-ding clearance). Home will have 9" finished basement, but the lot is basically flat. So exposed basement is N/A.

Yeah, lift will be located 2-deep so auto-opener doesn't bang into it.

I'm thinking a 4-post would be best for just sitting on the concrete floor VS a pre-cast 2-poster. Any brands with particular technical merit?

[dennis68]

Rotary and Benwill are both really good hoists. We just recently broke our first arm on the Benwill, of course we routinely lift over 9500 on a 7500 rated hoist so it was bound to happen. Cheap ass boss.

I would look into the 2 post hoists, 4 posters a PITA to work around, too much hoist getting in the way. Definitely go with an arm arrangement vs. a drive on. To me a drive on is a huge waste of space and funds.

[camcojb]

I much prefer a 4 post. Can be moved outside to steam clean the underside of a car, doesn't require minimum 6" and preferably 8" of concrete flooring to mount, 99% of the time I just drive up on it and lift. No setting the arms every time you want to lift the car, plus I have seen the cars slide off the arms if not placed correctly. The 4 post is more stable also in my opinion, and can be used as storage with one car above and one below.

Jody

[dennis68]

Just a note...I lift about 10 different cars a day X work 5 days a week X been doing this 15 years=about 39000 cars. I have dropped 2, one I racked badly and the other broke an adapter. I'd say they are pretty safe.

I also park under my 2 post all the time, plenty of room.

I do like the idea of being to move them out for steam cleaning but it's not worth the hassle if having to work around the ramps. If you used a 2 post for a week and then tried to switch to a 4 post by the end of the first day you would be throwing a fit about how bad it sucked.

[rob07002]

Of course its personal preference, but for home shop use I would go with 4 post, its true a 2 post like Mohawk is better for business, but the 4 post is more practical imo. Eagle lifts have some nice stuff and FREE shipping, and American made..... My buddie just got one of their scissor lift and loves it, just plugged it inro a 110 volt outlet and lift....

Good luck, and lets see some pics when your done

[Piet]

Need more information:
Where do you live? (area) warm or cold?
Attached? or Detached?
Parking daily driver in it?
any other kind of hobby to be performed? (woodworking?)
entertain? just hanging out?

My "2" car detached garage is 24' deep and 30' wide.
In-Floor heating, patio door, 9 1/2' ceiling, bathroom, floor drain. (It sounds fancy... but it's not really THAT fancy compared to some)

I am just finishing the electrical. Will put in fridge microwave, cable, phone and internet connections. My garage is multi-multi purpose. I do work on my car (paint and Mechanical) woodworking, I also have LAN parties (computers) and use it as a place for me to 'get-out-of-the-house'

[JMarsa]

When I built my detached garage I spent the xtra money on scissor trusses (think cathedral ceilings) in addition to 12 foot walls to accommodate a lift. Just bear in mind where the lift will be in reference to the ridge line of the roof.

--JMarsa

[camcojb]

Just a note...I lift about 10 different cars a day X work 5 days a week X been doing this 15 years=about 39000 cars. I have dropped 2, one I racked badly and the other broke an adapter. I'd say they are pretty safe.

I also park under my 2 post all the time, plenty of room.

I do like the idea of being to move them out for steam cleaning but it's not worth the hassle if having to work around the ramps. If you used a 2 post for a week and then tried to switch to a 4 post by the end of the first day you would be throwing a fit about how bad it sucked.

I understand your thoughts Dennis. I worked in a shop for years with 2 post lifts, I know how they work. I've had my 4-post for years also and 99% of the time I am not removing a tire. So I can drive straight up onto it and as fast as I can walk over to the controller the car is being lifted. No setting the arms, which is a pita to me. Much faster and easier, and I still believe more stable. Not sure about the ramp complaint because mine are aluminum and I remove them when lifting so they are not in the way.

If you decide to do a 2-post make sure your contractor knows that because the standard concrete floor will not work. It needs to be at LEAST 6" re-inforced and they recommend 8". Most garages barely have a 4" slab.

Jody

[Bill Howell]

I think you can see that there are different trains of thought on the type of lifts. If you are just useing it for parking, the 4 post are great. If you are going to do much work under one, most of the home type lifts are not really designed for that. I bought a "Stinger" for the house I built in 1997. It works fine but I am not going to try to pull transmissions using it. Like Jody said, be sure you have your contractor pour sufficient concrete if you go with a 2 post.
As far as the width goes ,if you have the space, go 28' wide. You are right, 24 is tight for two cars. JMarsh mentioned detached garage. If space permits, this is a great option too. That way you can close the door and hide projects and the clutter they cause when people visit and also helps keep the little lady happy.

[astroracer]

Like Piet, I need more info. It would be much cheaper to build a pole style building away from the main structure. Put a normal two car garage on the house for parking and finish the pole building the same as the house.
Some of the issues with having the shop attached to the house is fumes. Another is insurance.
Do some pricing and see what will work for you but a little more info is necessary. Lot size is important. If you don't have the room for a seperate shop my suggestion is pointless.
Mark

[TPI Monte SS]

Like Piet, I need more info. It would be much cheaper to build a pole style building away from the main structure. Put a normal two car garage on the house for parking and finish the pole building the same as the house.

Agreed. A friend of mine has a 2x2 garage built on the back end of his property with a long driveway from the front. It has heat, AC, 220, cable, and a loft above for parts storage. If the town will let you do this, it's the most viable idea.

Just from my own experience, I can say working in a garage inside a house sucks. Every time you paint parts, the smell stays inside. If your car has minor issues (like a leaky gas tank) you'll wind up with fumes in the house for hours - don't ask how I know that. ;)

And, if God forbid, something catches fire while your working, you won't lose the whole house, just the garage. A buddy of mine lost a project car that way.

[JMarsa]

I'll post pics sometime but my garage is nicer looking than my house. I get poked fun of all the time from my friends about it. I designed the garage with modern styling (that wasn't the norm in '67 when my house was built) to please the neighbors and the zoning gods. It worked! I've got one neighbor who has to stare at a 12'x36' wall with no complaints.
Plus, I'll upgrade the house at somepoint when the car is done.

--JMarsa

[JamesJ]

Remember that the slab and the roof are two of the most expensive things to going higher does not cost as much as going wider.

[c.schulz]

I much prefer a 4 post. Can be moved outside to steam clean the underside of a car, doesn't require minimum 6" and preferably 8" of concrete flooring to mount, 99% of the time I just drive up on it and lift. No setting the arms every time you want to lift the car, plus I have seen the cars slide off the arms if not placed correctly. The 4 post is more stable also in my opinion, and can be used as storage with one car above and one below.

Jody

I second what jody is laying down.Also a big plus is that most of your current jackstands can be used with no need to buy new taller equipment.Buy a air powered bottle jack and your set up.
Chris

[c.schulz]

My garage is a 30x40 with 10' walls. 4" slab and a vaulted ceiling for where the lift can be used.The other half of ceiling is flat at 10'.The peak of the vaulted ceiling is about 12' 5" plenty of room.You can see a small part in this pic.
Chris

[Bill Howell]

Plus, I'll upgrade the house at somepoint when the car is done.

--JMarsa

Like that is really ever going to happen?
(at my house anyway,sounds good though, I may try that one with my wife)

[TonyL]

I just spent almost an hour composing this thread, and it got pissed away on an I.E. Error Report............

I cant believe noone has said this yet. but get mozilla firefox, and never use IE again. no crashes. no popups, and some of the coolest features EVARRRR!

Im on the two post side myself. It depends on the kinds of work you'll be doing, but the two long "tracks" that the car sit on get in the way, especially if you want to do suspension work. Plus, the clanking noise of the catches in in the one we have, sucks and would drive my dad's neighbors crazy. The two poster is quieter, cheaper, more versital, and takes up less room. after using both, I'll never use the the 4 poster again.

[WS6]

i just recently switched form using two post assemmetric lifts to a four post drive on lift. if your planning on doing suspension work, get the two post. if not then the drive on will be fine. i pulled a trans recently and installed an exhaust too while on the drive on lift. they arent bad by any means(well they are noisy and slow), but they may not be the best thing for you depending on what your planning on doing with the lift
besides lifting.

if you do go with the two post, make sure the arms are locked before you lift the car, the arms can swing if not in a locked position and if they do the car will come down