4 post lift

[Kelley W King]

I am thinking about a lift with the castors. No serious work just like to roll outside for cleaning and or painting the bottom. Also maybe stacking cars.

[69Z28-RS]

That's about all the 4-post lifts are good for; I've had one for 25 yrs and never been able to do much work with it except for changing out rear exhaust on C4  Corvettes.   I purchased it for 'double stacking' Corvettes, but to stack anything other than Corvettes you need a really tall ceiling height, and you probably need it well away from the door to enable opening garage door with a car UP.   You also need a pretty wide garage door to get them out and in.   and they need a LOT of space in the garage.   This last year I purchased a 2 post lift and they are much more useful for 'car work' (but not much good for double stacking!)..

[camaroboy68ss]

We have had one for about 10 years now and its been a great addition to the garage. Its really handy for pulling transmissions and doing maintenance items like fluid changes and greasing joints. We have a slider that goes in between the runners and a heavy duty bottle jack if a tire needs to come off for anything but its nice being able to raise the car to a easier working height.

[Tinkerr]

I have a 4 post, it works well for working down the middle of the car, everything is open and accessible. The rails are sometimes in the way when doing brakes and suspension work, I just position the car closer to the edge of the side I'm working on. I have a bridge jack that sits between the rails and slides the length of the lift, which is handy. I also built a tray that I can put a bottle jack on and slide between the rails. I bolted mine to the floor. The idea of having a car 6' off the ground and the lift not permanently attached didn't give me piece of mind. I've seen the demonstrations, engineers alot smarter than me designed them, but I bolted it down.

[Mike S]

 My Stinger 4-post lift is free standing. The plates have 12"x12" square platforms and I've never had a problem with tilting.  This is on a standard residential garage floor which is approximately 4" thick so I am reluctant to drill into that for anchors. If I ever get another garage built then I'll opt for a 6" floor and have the correct anchors installed for piece of mind.  I did have to raise each ceiling rafter 12" to get clearance for the Camaro, plus add another section of garage door track to make the door rise above the Camaro's hood (the top car faces forward)

Mike

[Charley]

I have had a 4 post for at least 15 years and love it. I can roll it outside and steam clean the underside of cars etc. Also have the sliding jack that lets me raise the front or rear ends. A couple years ago I bought a 2 post and found I hate using it. I'm getting old and cranky and to use a two post I am getting down on my knees to line up each lift pad at least 4 times. Much easier and less chance for error with a 4 post. You need 10' ceiling to be able to stack cars and need to move the door opener to the header.

[Kelley W King]

Thanks to all for your input. I do have the 10 foot ceilings already and the shop is so deep the doors won,t be a problem. I think Charley,s response fits my needs the best. I have 2 post lifts at the shop where I do heavy work. This shop is more where I store and detail cars. Charley do you have a brand or a picture?

[Charley]

I think any of them will do what you want. My old one is a 240 volt Backyard Buddy but expensive compared to others that will do he same thing. 120V will take longer to lift but no big deal. Just make sire you get a sliding jack. They are a scissor like lift with a porta power . https://www.ebay.com/itm/3500-Lb-Kernel-Sliding-Bridge-Jack-7K-9K-Lb-Automotive-Storage-4-Post-Lifts/202387858684?hash=item2f1f41a4fc:g:ZLwAAOSw5qdcD~3E:rk:4:pf:1&frcectupt=true

[Kelley W King]

Thanks Charley, that BB model is expensive but seems the best.

[BillOhio]

I am going to get a bendpak before spring.  I liked where I could roll it around if needed and a dealer close.

[1slow64]

bestbuyautoequipment.com is where I got mine from.

[SMS]

My Atlas Apex 8 came from Greg Smith Equipment.  It moves around with one hand while on the casters.  Works good and is sturdy.  Looks good and was cost effective too.  They are currently $3145 on the website, I caught it on sale at a show

[Kelley W King]

Good tip. What made you not get home shop 8k shown at $2595? I am just mostly cleaning, detailing, maybe oil change.

[SMS]

Good tip. What made you not get home shop 8k shown at $2595? I am just mostly cleaning, detailing, maybe oil change.

I don’t remember exactly. I think when I got mine maybe jack tray came with one and not the other.  The Apex is also industry certified but I think the show (PRI in Indy) sale price on the upgraded one was just a couple hundred more than the hobby lift. Both looked certainly adequate.

[Kelley W King]

Many thanks guys. Think I will do the Apex. I am going to call them and tell them what I plan to do , might put my truck on it, and let them recommend which one. The price spread between all their 8k units is only $500. I like that theirs come with things that are options on others.