how long woudl you leave your car on a 2 post lift?

[mark '87 930]

I'm in the process of building a new home for my Porsche (and other toys) and a lift was factored into the build. My question is simple.. I'm pretty much decided on a 2 post lift, but I made a small mistake with height and not have to decide on a 'non' clear floor model which I wanted to avoid.. or go with a 4 post system.

I really want a 2 post lift for the versatility, but I'll be storing the car up there and parking the daily driver under it during the winter months (5-6 months straight). I've heard and read that it's 'bad' for the suspension, which is why I'm asking what others would do.

[MotoSook]

I have a two post, and I usually have a 911 on it for an extended amount of time. This winter I'll be storing a 911 on it. I take the wheels off the car to lighten it and free up space (head room). Bolting the wheels up when I have to move the car off the lift is an acceptable hassle.

I've never heard it was bad for the suspension. The only thing I can think of that may be an issue is the shock being extended to full stop for an extended period of time, but on my car the t-bars are stiff..so the shocks are not fully extended.

I have rubber pads that I use on the seam weld at the jack points. The pads are coil spring stops that I got from the auto parts store (they look like dog bones about 2" by 4") for about $5 per pack of four.

[Andras Nagy]

When we built our new house in Ohio, we installed a two-post lift, and stored the Miata on top, under the Porsche. Left it there all winter, and never experienced any problems. We did lock the lift in place with the "dogs", so that if the pump lost pressure it couldn't drop lower, but after a number of winters of doing it this way, we would guess that the length of time is infitie, IF YOU ENGAGE THE DOGS.

[john walker's workshop]

targas do sag when they're up on a 2 post. you can't open the doors easily, much less close them on SOME cars. maybe they would take a "set" over time. don't know.

[Zeke]

After having a recent experience where I needed a shop with a ramp lift (or 4-post) and could not find one off hand, I think someone has to come up with a set of ramps that will attach to a 2-post lift safely.

[mark '87 930]

It's the frame sag I'm worried about... not the safety factor. I don't want my car to all of a sudden be hunched over because it's not sitting on all four tires...

I can always make a point of lowering the car to the ground once a month or so and let it sit on the tires/wheels for a day.

[wcc]

I thought of this as well before going with a 4 post lift. I found that there are suspension straps, for lack of a better term, that keeps your suspension pretty much in place to prevent suspension sag. I don't know about the frame sag thing. I agree with others that cabs and targas would be more susceptible to this and not the coupes.

HOWEVER, I decided to go with the 4post lift and I'm REALLY glad I did. I use it 99% of the time for just parking cars, motorcycles, lawn mowers, whatever, just stuff under it, cleaning the lower panels. It is SO easy to just drive on set the parking brake and lift to a desirable height for anything. Plus the doors open all the way where I thought that was going to be a concern with a 2-poster. I just didn't want the hassle of swinging the arms under the car, going around the car setting the arms correctly, lift a little, re-adjust, check, re-adjust, etc, just to lift the car so I could park another under it. Seemed like a pain.

As far as repairs/maintenance goes I have not complaints there either. I have the pneumatic jacks and that lifts it up so I can change tires, do brake jobs, etc. I even did the headers, K27, muffler, etc with it.

My ONLY concern or possible drawback is an engine drop. I haven't done one yet and I don't think it'll fit between the rails of the lift I have. I know this is HUGE! But there are 4 post lifts out there that do have enough space between the runways. This was sort of an after thought on my purchase. But honestly, how often do you drop them.

I don't want to sway your decision I just wanted to give you more to think about. Either way you can't go wrong!

[Les Paul]

I've had a 3 post lift for probably 15 years. The rears hang down the fronts don't. It sits up there for months at a time sometimes. No problems so far.

[leibniz]

Just do this:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TK3MUT7TCXg

[3.2 CAB]

Originally Posted by Les Paul

I've had a 3 post lift for probably 15 years. The rears hang down the fronts don't. It sits up there for months at a time sometimes. No problems so far.

Ahh, the elusive 3 post lift.

[fastfredracing]

I had a 74 targa parked up on my two post lift for better than a year. This car had some structural rust, and was overall pretty weak. It was sagging pretty good up there on the lift, and I was worried about the same thing as you. As soon as the tires hit the ground all of the door gaps returned to normal. I think you will be fine.

[JohnJL]

We use 2-post lifts at the shop with 2 points on each side no problem. The bodies are very stiff...notice your car doesnt sag at the center and it can spend 50 years on 4 wheels.

Be sure you put the lock on...we had a jack develop an internal slow leak and overnight an MX5 drag car lowered itself onto a tig cart underneath...ouch

[mark '87 930]

thanks for all your input fella's . I'm going to stick to 2 post lifts. I just wish the clear foor would ahve been an option.. oh well, live and learn.

Knowing me... the lift is going to be multiple friends throughout summer months and I have a feeling my list of friends will grow.. as long as they bring beer!

[3.2 CAB]

Mark, have you checked out the Mohawk brand of 2-post lifts? They are clear floor design and are super strong. When I bought mine several years ago, they even warrantied the lift cylinders for life. Just something for thought. US made also. Good luck!! Tony.

[Paulporsche]

mark 87 930,

I've always (at least since this afternoon) considered you one of my best friends ever! Maybe even THE best!

[mark '87 930]

Tony, I looked into all kinds of lifts and was looking for something that had the top that moved along with the lift... but this Mohawk lift is PERFECT for my application. I have found my lift..

Thanks a million Tony. I honestly believe that my search is now over.

Does anyone else have experience with them?

[3.2 CAB]

Hi Mark, I really enjoyed using my Mohawk lift. Depending on your ceiling height, Mohawk has the top equalizing tube extension kit. That way,with the extension tube kit, I could lift full sized vans and other tall vehicles, all the way up. I know that several Buick, GM, Ford, etc, use the Mohawk lifts exclusively. They are also one of the most safe lift that I have ever used, that did not have all of the crap on the floor between the two post. Major PITA trying to roll an engine, transmission, or even just a jack over that hump in the center. That was the exact reason that I bought the Mohawk lift, the clear floor span between the lift post. Good luck!! Tony.

[mark '87 930]

Thanks Tony. That's why I wanted the clear floor design, I don't want that hump. To top it off, they have a reseller in Canada and I hope they have some kind of showroom.

My ceilings are 11'5". They seem to have two models I'm interested in, and both have the under floor hydraulic line kit which theoretically, I can build into the concrete pad I'm going to pour.

I like the 7K lbs model because of the Asymetric design, but the 10K lbs version has more room between the arms to drive in and out of (for lifing other than Porsche's as well).

Thanks again, I'm glad I posted this.

[3.2 CAB]

Glad if I helped. Tony.