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4 Post Lift

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Ray Smith

Jedi Hopeful
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I am going to install a 4 post lift in my garage in order to accomodate more vehicles. Question---I will need to raise the track on my garage door in order to get the correct amount of lift. How difficult is this? Any suggestions?? Have any of the members used a "roll up" type door.

Thanks,

Ray
 
Hi Ray, if you use the pricey roll up type door that folds into a weather proof container on the out side of the garage you will gain a lot of interior free space. Contrastingly, the general type roll up door you see installed, occupies more space inside the garage than the more conventional tilt up Type.---Fwiw---Keoke
 
Assuming you have the headroom (I have 12 ft ceilings) you just need to get a high-lift track and a dummy panel at the top of your door so that it will lift the door high enough. From the outside it will appear no different than before. I love my four post lift - it turned my 2 car garage into a 3 car and it is great for working on the Healey.
 
I think Wanna has the information that I need.

Keoke,

My wife would kill me if I put a container on the outside of our garage!!!!!!!
 
Well Ray, I did one about six months ago for a client who wanted a small loft for storage and a roll up door in a standard 20'X 20' garage. SO I hid the drum up under a very attractive canopy type sun shade. OTOH, I don't want to instigate a killin--Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Nevets,

I haven't purchased the lift as of this date. I am still doing research on the different models available. I would appreciate input on the pros and cons of the lifts that members have installed.

I have a good friend who is a whiz at this sort of thing. He has indicated that he would help me with the installation.
 
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Nevets,

I haven't purchased the lift as of this date. I am still doing research on the different models available. I would appreciate input on the pros and cons of the lifts that members have installed.

I have a good friend who is a whiz at this sort of thing. He has indicated that he would help me with the installation.

[/ QUOTE ]
I'm pro 2-post lifts myself.

If you do any amount of maintenance or project work on your car, the 2-post gives unrestricted access to the underside and you can remove the wheel(s) without need for an additional jack.

The 2 post certainly isn't portable (like a 4 post that can be moved around_if need be) but I believe it takes up less floor space.

I have mine in a garage with "only" 9'3" ceilings; granted, I'm only about 5'7", but I can stand under the BMWs or Healey without bumping my head.

IMG_5869a.jpg


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Randy,

I really need additional parking space. I have very high ceiling in my garage so there is no height issue. I think I will go with the 4 post because of the portability.

Need input on suggestions for brand of 4 post lifts. I know there seems to be a big variance on pricing . Would like to hear from members that have installed the 4 post lift. Need to know things that I should look out for.

Ray
 
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Here's the lift with my other car parked under.

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OK Wana now color me BRG with serious envy /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazyeyes.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazyeyes.gif
 
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Here's the lift with my other car parked under.

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/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/savewave.gif
Ain't you got the covers the wrong way around? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif.---Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Randy
I can see some advantages to the 2-post lift for access to the belly of the car but what about long-term storage? shouldn't the car be resting on its wheels?
 
Thanks for sending the pics. This really gives me a good idea of how it should be installed. Have received a quote for $1400. for a new door and high lift kit. Does that sound about right?

Wana, is this in the ball park of your cost?
 
Ray, I guess it depends on the door, etc. I think my door plus high-lift track came to around $1050 plus installation. I have found very few jobs that I couldn't do having the Healey on my four post lift. I have changed the exhaust, put on 4 new shocks, hubs, wheels, changed the oil, done all the lubrication, etc. The key is getting jack bridges so that you can raise the car up off the runways and place jackstands on the bridges so that wheels can be removed, etc. while on the lift.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Randy
I can see some advantages to the 2-post lift for access to the belly of the car but what about long-term storage? shouldn't the car be resting on its wheels?

[/ QUOTE ]
How long?

I believe the concern is over the suspension components (especially springs) being at full droop for extended periods. In the case of the Healey, the underslung rear axle limits droop, and if you were concerned (I'm not /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif ) you could fashion "hooks" to limit front suspension droop.

Since last January (when the lift was installed) I doubt any of mine or a customer's car has been suspended much over ten (10) days, and generally speaking, more like a couple days at a time.
 
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