A couple thoughts.

Four poster is more stable than that one post Bend Pak. Although cool, the counter-balance on the floor is huge and high. I may add a second lift in the garage and space dictates I may have to go with the one post BP.

Don't get a lift with sides on the ramps like the first one pictured. My rear wheels hang over the sides of my ramps and I'd be sol if they had sides.

End ramps should be removeable as the last pic makes clear.

Don't buy a lift that will be close to it's capacity. My cgt weighs 3000 lbs and the lift capacity is 8000. It still flexes a little.

Have it professionally installed.

 

A couple of other suggestions:

get drip pans

a key controlled lift is nice if you have kids

aluminum ramps are still cumbersome, can't imagine what a pain steel ones would be, splurge for the lighter ones

consider a garage door opener with elevated ralis, and a side lifting mechanism, increase clearance substantially

furniture wax on the rails of the backyard buddy makes it real smoooooth.

put top car on battery tender

and most importanrt....




DUCK when getting out of car underneath.

 

BendPak HD-14LSX Medium-Duty, Alignment, Ext., 14,000 Lbs Lift

I like this Bend Pack but 6 g's is a lot for my garage.

 

That's an alignment lift for commercial purposes, you don't need it. A regular no frills 4 post should be 1500-2000 dollars. Bend Pak is an ok lift, they're pita when it comes to putting it together but when you do, they last awhile. My dad carries out warranty work for bend pak and typically they have few problems.

 

Theres a good write up here on the Direct Lift HR8000 (2 Post, Retail: ~$1400): http://www.lamboweb.com/Repairs_Sect...pairs_Lift.htm

Hope it helps.

 

That is a good write up but I set up 2 post lifts differently.

When we put up the post we dont bother to remove the post to drill the holes, we drill the holes using the post as a template instead of marking it. The post should be stable as long as you're not leaning on it while you drill.

I would recommend when you drill the holes, you should drill until you hit earth. This way, if there is a problem with a bolt, you can hammer another bolt on top of it and when you remove the lift, you can hammer it flush instead of cutting it.

Also, most lifts come with shims, the author forgot to mention that it is important level the posts.

Before you drill, make sure you know which side you want to put your motor, most people have it on the passenger side. When they get out of the car, they put the arms under the driver side and walk to the motor side and put the other arms in. However, some lifts are not flexible and require the motor on one side. Take care to make sure that you have enough clearance for the motor.

When you first raise the lift, make sure the safety locks click at the same time. Thats how you know the arms are level. To level out the arms and carriage, you have to tighten or loosen the cables. Extend the longest arms and make them meet at the middle, then place a level between them.Take the slack out of the cables first, then tighten or loosen the cables to level accordingly.

Remember; when you leave a car lifted for an extended time, sit on the lock, it takes the load off the cables. To sit on the locks, just raise it to the preferred height and then come down until the lock catches. This extends the life of the cables.

In my opinion, two posts are the easiest to install. 4 posts have too many small parts and you have to run cables and hoses everywhere. Also it's a pita to level. You can run around in circles if you aren't careful leveling every post. Take it from me, just in the past three months, I raised about 30 two posts and the same amount of four posts.

 

Dear Teamspeed Members, I’m new to the forum, and wanted to let you all know that I have been in the garage & shop equipment business for 17 years and I’d love to help all of you with any questions/ ideas you have when it comes to Garage Equipment. If you have any technical questions regarding your tools and equipment I can definitely help you there, and we have access to an wide selection of Tools and Equipment.

Gabe,
gendreola@dannmar.com
Dannmar Equipment - Automotive Lifts, Home Garage Lifts, Four Post Lifts, Two Post Lifts, Motorcycle Lifts, Shop Equipment

 

Jack GT3,

Unless you plan on using the lift for Allignment, you really only need a BendPak HD-9 model that runs around $2660.00 in the Continental US. The lift pictured above is a full Blown Allignment lift made for small cars up to 1 Ton Trucks up to 14k lbs. were the average sports car is 4500 lbs.

 

Gabe thanks for the info, can you tell me the height requirements needed as My garage may not be tall enough I fear.