4 Post lifts for car storage

[daka]

I'm contemplating putting a storage lift in my garage. Jaguar XJ6 (84) over the 911. What is the absolute minimum ceiling height needed? (just to store) Any comments from owners of these lifts as to satisfaction of manufacturer, ease of assembly and use.....anything else?

[DarrylD]

I placed my order for one from Autolifters of America at Christmas and it was a 7-week wait for delivery... so it should be here any day now!

Their website has some very detailed "blueprint" style drawings with the measurements you need: http://www.autolifters.com/m6.html

I was swayed on this model because the overall length was 13', just perfect for my garage. I have 12' ceilings so vertical clearance isn't the issue, it's length.

I'm holding off on all my under-car projects until I can do them standing up!

[silverc4s]

I have used an Autolifters 4 poster for about 4 years now, and am quite pleased with it.
The height you need is VERY dependent on the two cars you plan to use it with. My ceiling height was limited, but I manage 2 911s with about 6 inches to spare...

[5speed]

To figure out what height you would need measure the height of the two cars that you are going to stack. Add the two heights together and then add in the height of the platform plus some clearance above each car roof. For example one car 4 feet high second car 5 feet high 6inch clearnce for each car, platform 4inches for a total of 10 feet 4 inches. You plug in your own measurements and clearances but that is the general idea.

[silverc4s]

The measurements are design dependent on the specific lift you buy & the spacing of the safety detent stops. You will need to use the worksheet from their website to be on the safe side...

[KobaltBlau]

silverc4s, what is your ceiling height, if you remember?

[silverc4s]

It is 117 inches in the area above the lift. Typically, you will need to raise the garage door tracks as well...

[pjv911]

Figure 12` with 11` being your minimum . 2 911`S equals 10.6" with no clearance . BTW dont jags leak oil ? LOL

Kurt Williams

[silverc4s]

Actually my two 911s are 9' 3" stacked on the lift, with about 6" to spare.

Just have to be careful not to daydream while raising the upper car to release point....

[autobonrun]

Also take into account the fact that most lifts have fixed locking points. So if your bottom car is say 51 inches but the next locking point up is 55 inches on the particular model lift you select, you'll need to use the 55 inch figure in calculating your overall height requirement. You'll also have to extend the garage door tracks so that they are high enough for the door to clear the top car. This may mean removing the automatic door opener and installing a manual spring if you have limited ceiling height.

I think there is a height calculation worksheet on this link under "More Information".


http://www.revolutionlifts.com/four-post.asp

[VaSteve]

Those of you that have lifts, in a normal garage, how much space do you lose to walk around and get in and out of the car?

I have a 2 car garage and have considered this, but I'm afraid of losing too much walking around or floorspace. I thought about a 2 post lift for storage, but have heard bad things about sitting the car on its lift points for the majority of its time.

All the guys I know around here have these wonderful shops with ample walking around room.

[silverc4s]

I have a three car garage, and the lift is in the farthest space which is offset from the normal 2 car garage. That stall is not useable for anything else, and I HAVE bumped my head a few times getting out of the lower car. Getting into the upper car without moving cars around is always an adventure as well.
I have attached two battery tenders, so that they are there and ready to use.
No critter problems with the upper deck either...

[VaSteve]

Originally posted by silverc4s
That stall is not useable for anything else, and I HAVE bumped my head a few times getting out of the lower car. Getting into the upper car without moving cars around is always an adventure as well.

Not usable as in can't even fit the lawnmower or bikes in on the sides?

I won't even ask why you'd try and get in the upper car while it's up there.

[RickM]

Oops....

[silverc4s]

Yeah, in that one car stall, not much on the sides. get a portable building for the yard tools.

You get in the top car while it's up there because your cell phone is ringing - and it's coming from within the car. I have also swapped steering wheels while it is up there - done it enough times thst I know exactly the tools I need etc...

That lift on the bottom has aluminum ramps, and the type of lift mech does NOT wrap around each column...bad design, plus you don't know exactly what the driver did, either.

[silverc4s]

When you order a lift, it will be delivered by truck.
YOU are responsible for getting it unloaded and assembled. It will be banded and bolted into a solid chunk of metal requiring serious manpower to unload, or a hydraulic lift. The driver will not help you without some serious bribery going on..
Don't ask me how I know this...;(

[gadams]

I went with autolifters and have been very happy with the lift. I have a 9' ceiling 2 car garage and can stack two of my cars with pleanty of room to walk around and still have another car in the bay next to the car lift. when I was looking for the lift I asked the manufactures a lot of questions and the only one that answer all of my concerns was autolifters. I unloaded it off the truck by myself, but had a little help putting it together.

[ohecht]

Does anyone have any experience with this one-post lift?

http://www.geminilift.com/images/SP-4.5-SP-7SinglePostLift%20.pdf

Olivier

[daka]

I'm interested also...however, the 4500# lift is about $4500 delivered, the 4 posters are in the $2200 range, so unless its really a tight space ???