Another 4 post lift thread

gduke2010 · gduke2010's Garage

Just had an installer who is also, a fabricator look at my garage witch has 5" of slope. Hoping, to install a Bendpack 9000lb., narrow 4 post lift. He looked at my garage and can have solid steel shims laser cut from the factory. However, I will need a removable approach ramps made that appears to be 6' to 7' long innorder for the front spoiler to clear.

So, I will be hearing from him in the near future. Almost anything can be done if you have the money. The price of the lift starts at $3350, my budget is another $2000 for installation and fabrication. Thought about doing the install myself but, with the complications of the sloping floor and fabrication of ramps and shims, I decided to hire an expert.

The main reason why I want the lift is to park the BMW 335d under my Porsche, and anther reason is to work on both cars.

greglepore · 10-26-2018, 10:31 AM

I went with a Triumph 8000. 2100 shipped. Installed it myself, which was quite a chore, given that the ramps are 16 ft and one has a large hydraulic cyl under. Needed to use my tractor bucket as a lifting device and some help.

I have a RUF bumper and no issues with the standard ramps. They can be bolted on or slid into place. The standard ramps are only 18in or so long, but are really heavy. Didn't leave them bolted due to the danger of walking into them.

Had to tray the garage ceiling to get enough clearance. Doggone house has 10ft ceilings everywhere but in the garage.

gduke2010 · gduke2010's Garage

I have to shim up a the back posts 4 1/5” to 5” and have a 930s front valance for narrow body 911’s . So much slope, I had to talk with someone other tha n sales. Seems to be harder to find people who actually, know how to do things these days. The guy who came and looked at my garage was very knowledgeable, 35 years of experience and came out of retirement because he liked working. He brought one of his installers and sometimes works in the field with them.

Btw, there’s getting to be fewer people these days like him. He’s installed most of the lifts in Minden.

froggert · 10-26-2018, 11:19 AM

What material will the ramps be made of? If steel, they'll weigh a million pounds. I got tired of hauling the stock ramps around for my Direct Lift and replaced them with a set from Race Ramps.

gduke2010 · gduke2010's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by greglepore

I went with a Triumph 8000. 2100 shipped. Installed it myself, which was quite a chore, given that the ramps are 16 ft and one has a large hydraulic cyl under. Needed to use my tractor bucket as a lifting device and some help.

I have a RUF bumper and no issues with the standard ramps. They can be bolted on or slid into place. The standard ramps are only 18in or so long, but are really heavy. Didn't leave them bolted due to the danger of walking into them.

Had to tray the garage ceiling to get enough clearance. Doggone house has 10ft ceilings everywhere but in the garage.

He recomended making the removable ramps out of aluminum. Everything is going to be tight .

Zeke · 10-26-2018, 12:19 PM

Why not sink the front posts in new recessed footings? You won't lose much headroom.

gduke2010 · gduke2010's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by froggert

What material will the ramps be made of? If steel, they'll weigh a million pounds. I got tired of hauling the stock ramps around for my Direct Lift and replaced them with a set from Race Ramps.

Aluminum

gduke2010 · gduke2010's Garage

I can ask him, would be better than 5” shims and. 6’ to 7’ ramps

Zeke · 10-26-2018, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gduke2010

I can ask him, would be better than 5” shims and. 6’ to 7’ ramps

See?

And you can fill the recesses back in with foam and a light coat of water proof cement or whatever so that debris and moisture doesn't collect.

PorscheGAL · PorscheGAL's Garage

Perhaps I am missing something, but you should have no problem working a 4 post lift with your garage floor.

Our garage floor slope is 6 degrees with a 10" difference between the front legs and back legs of our Rotary 4 post lift. We have no shims or special ramps and have no problem with pulling the cars onto the lift. (930, 911, lotus, etc). We do have an 8" concrete base and use plenty of wheel blocks when a car is on the lift.

I would be happy to provide pictures. Again maybe I am missing something from your write-up.

gduke2010 · gduke2010's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by PorscheGAL

Perhaps I am missing something, but you should have no problem working a 4 post lift with your garage floor.

Our garage floor slope is 6 degrees with a 10" difference between the front legs and back legs of our Rotary 4 post lift. We have no shims or special ramps and have no problem with pulling the cars onto the lift. (930, 911, lotus, etc). We do have an 8" concrete base and use plenty of wheel blocks when a car is on the lift.

I would be happy to provide pictures. Again maybe I am missing something from your write-up.

Bud said I could do that to. But, I'd rather not have wheel chocks. He also, said I'd need to sign a disclaimer if I went that route

rfuerst911sc · 10-27-2018, 03:08 AM

Maybe a 2 post lift would fit your scenario better ? With a 2 post you are only shimming the length of the " foot plate " vs. the entire length of a 4 post . And if storage is the main concern there are adapters for 2 post lifts that simulate a 4 post and keep the suspension in play vs. just hanging in space . The 2 post you don't have the need for ramps . Just a thought good luck with your purchase and install .