4-post lift for single car garage?

[logan2z]

Unfortunately our house only has a single-car garage but I'd like to store both 911s inside. I've done some measuring and it seems like the 4-post lifts from companies like Rotary and Bend-Pak will fit in the garage (I have a 10' ceiling), but I'm not sure that I'll have enough room to easily walk through the garage, either beside the lift or under it. If anyone here has a 4-post lift in a single car garage with a similar ceiling height, can you comment on how much room there is beside and beneath the lift in order to walk around in the garage? Is it practical to put a lift in a small garage like this? Photos and lift recommendations for this application would be much appreciated!

[Danny_Ocean]

Try The Garage Journal Many, many threads about every lift imaginable, along with pics.

[sixgt]

What are the dimensions of your garage? That will give you some idea about the walk around space. Another considerations is the garage door rails. The may need
to be changed (or extended) so the door opens higher (closer to the ceiling) so it will
clear the car on top. Also you need to clear the opener also.
Hth

[logan2z]

Originally Posted by Danny_Ocean

Try The Garage Journal Many, many threads about every lift imaginable, along with pics.

I searched the Garage Journal site before I posted here and, believe it or not, I couldn't find a single thread/photo of a lift in a single-car garage!

[Quickstep192]

I have the Backyard Buddy 4 post lift with my 911 on top. My ceiling is just under 10 feet. The top of the 911 is about 1/2" from the ceiling with the lift in the highest position. Clearance under the lift is 63". Plenty enough to park my other car underneath, but not standing headoom. Even with the limited headroom, getting in and out the car underneath is pretty easy. The posts are 101" outside to outside. That is the maximum dimension. Once you get around the post, there's a bit more room since the part the car drives onto sits inside the posts.

Here's a link to their dimension diagram.


7000 lb. car lift dimensions standard size Backyard Buddy

[Quickstep192]

Originally Posted by sixgt

Another considerations is the garage door rails. The may need to be changed (or extended) so the door opens higher (closer to the ceiling) so it will clear the car on top. Also you need to clear the opener also.
Hth

Excellent point. You will definetly need to raise the track to get the door higher to the ceiling in the up position. (You'll also probably need to back the car onto the lift). Lift Master makes an opener that turns the jackshaft instead of yanking the door by the top, eliminating the conflict that you'd have with the ceiling mount opener. I also had to move an overheard light.

Even with all the hassles, mine seems worthwhile.

[super9064]

I have a two car garage and have had a 4 post lift for several years, I recently had a single post lift installed because I would not be able to navigate through a forest of posts 8 posts, they really are in the way. A single post lift was the only way for me to still have a usable garage. Down side, 2x the price
Link and a pic from their site.
Purchase A Made In The USA Car Lift From SuperLifts.com - Car Lifts, Auto Lifts, Motorcycle Lifts and other Garage Accessories

[Quickstep192]

I saw this one at a car show.

Car Lift | Car Lift System | Home Garage Car Lift | Hydraulic Car Lift

[mrm930]

I have a 3-1/2 car garage, with a 4-post lift in one bay and 10'-0" ceilings. The only restriction that you may have is the width clearance. I have a Superlift and I have my 930 on it and can fit my BMW M5 below without a problem.

Which ever lift you chose - you have to calculate the vertical clearance with the lift set at one particular height. Your every day drive must fit below with some clearance above plus the thickness of the lift track - plus the height of your porsche then check that total with your ceiling height. All lifts do not have the exact same height settings, but I am sure they are all close to each other. So check the height settings and the interval distances to calculate where you need it to park another car below.

Good luck

Here is a pic of mine:

[dw1]

Logan2z,

I have a very similar situation. While my garage is almost 2 cars long, it is only one car wide, with the back section of my garage used for a workbench, automotive tools, lawn/gardening tools & supplies, etc.

The "parking" portion of my garage is 118 in. wide by 210 in. long, and fits my '87 nicely, but a storage lift would be very helpful.

My CAD layout of my garage with a 4-post lift shown 20 inches between the wall and the edge of the ramps on one side, and 25 inches on the other - not really all that convenient for moving around, working on the car, etc. The support posts, however, don't seem to be all that intrusive.

I've also done a search for answers on this topic, but came up with no good answers.

While the lift would be a great idea, the practical realities of placing it in this small space has me holding off for now. But I did recently replace the garage door & track with a high lift one "just in case".

p.s. What I really want to do is expand the garage, but I don't have enough room from the side wall of the garage to the property line to make it a full 2 cars wide. Selling the house and buying one with a larger garage (or more land to build a large garage) is NOT an option - my wife would torch my 911 first.

[logan2z]

Originally Posted by dw1

Selling the house and buying one with a larger garage (or more land to build a large garage) is NOT an option

I already tried that We're renovating our house instead, but still there is no room to expand the garage to a 2-car. I was hoping to at least squeeze a lift in there to double my indoor parking space. I guess there's always this option:

Phantom Park

I'm sure that couldn't cost too much

[beamonk]

Can you drop a motor with the superlift?

[D911SC]

Originally Posted by dw1

Logan2z,

Selling the house and buying one with a larger garage (or more land to build a large garage) is NOT an option - my wife would torch my 911 first.

Haha - I had the same conversation with my wife and she gave me the same answer!

A narrow garage is a logistical nightmare.

[carr914]

I have a Rotary in a 1 car garage. The only place it is tight is by the opening. By the way I had to put a roll-up garage door

[mrm930]

Originally Posted by beamonk

Can you drop a motor with the superlift?

Yes - its wide open. Also I bought the lift plate option. It is a powder coated steel shelf that slides along inside of the tracks. I use it to place lifts to raise and lower the motor, transmission or suspension parts. Pretty handy.

Mark

[Deschodt]

Originally Posted by logan2z

Unfortunately our house only has a single-car garage but I'd like to store both 911s inside. I've done some measuring and it seems like the 4-post lifts from companies like Rotary and Bend-Pak will fit in the garage (I have a 10' ceiling), but I'm not sure that I'll have enough room to easily walk through the garage, either beside the lift or under it.

Okay... I know, I have a 2 car garage, but the info still applies..



I had a little over 10ft, it's fine if your 911s are not riding like 4x4, as you can see.
Bear in mind you need a little extra on top to raise and unlock the lift from the perched position. And you want to avoid crushing the ceiling lights either... The car's deployed antenna is a good indication of when you reach roof crushing heights ;-)

things to consider:

- Practical? Hmmm... Useful, better than your car sleeping outside, great for maintenance... but it takes SPACE !

- You may want to relocate said ceiling light, the lift will *kill* your existing lightning, you need more light.

- You may need a high lift garage door kit, $200-500 or so depending on options to raise your door (keep lift motor or replace, new springs or not) or park the top car backwards (not fun). Note: I can park forwards, that picture was a test !

- I have a 2 car garage, so way more space than you, and in all honesty it's an effing PITA to walk around that thing and always bend your back or whack your head. Truly... Now, the alternative was for my oldie to sleep outside in torrential rains, so I'll take the backache and head banging. But it's not ALL roses ;-)

- If the lift fits, you can get out of the car on both sides assuming you and spouse are not grossly oversized ;-) I recommend rubber tiles on the wall as it's tight and you may bang the door.

- you *can* stand under the car easily with 10ft+, say under the engine or gas tank, BUT at 10ft, you cannot stand under the lift itself (the lift pads, I mean), hence the bending your back thing. You need 12ft for that !

- Get drip trays ;-) And this lift is useless to replace wheels, unless you buy an extra jack tray or a hydraulic jack sliding under and between the rails... $$$ and more bending your back !

- do not plan on installing this yourself unless you own a small crane, installation is worth every penny, factor $1000 for install + delivery+fluids+ tax over the purchase price... ie the $1800 lift ends up at $2800 !

- No opinions on brand, I have a propark 8S, but I only ever owned that one, so I cannot compare, and most people cannot either and have a propensity to say the one they bought is the best, without proof ;-)

Hope this helps ! Personally, I'd have to really love my house/cars to do this in a 1 car garage. I'd move...

PS: edit: I cut off the pump/tank and rewelded it on the pillar facing the back wall instead of the side walls, so that it did not take more lateral space... you can do that with a grinder and a $100 welder... Probably something to do in a one car garage ! Good luck ! Those things are cool, but it'll be a space eater for sure !

[carr914]

Buy American. It might be a little more, but if a part breaks, an American company can get you parts.

I bought Rotary, because they are used in almost every dealership, they delivered & installed it.

Upgrade to the longer Aluminum ramps, you'll be glad you did

I also got jack bridge & drip trays

And watch your Head. I took a chunk out of my skull - I always duck now

[yelcab1]

I have a 2 car garage, 4 post lift. I now fit 3 cars in my garage but the volume that the cars take up is very substantial. For example, with 3 cars in, I cannot get outside the garage with my luggage when I am leaving on a trip. I have to back one car out. When I am working on any car on the lift, I prefer to pull everything outside the garage so that I can move around, with my tools, jacks, stands, without knocking anything over my other cars.

I love it, and should have boght it sooner. But, it has its pains.

I installed the lift myself with 3 friends. It does take 3 friends, and a welder.

[steam_mill]

Check this out. I just did it.

Single One car garage with 2 cars - 4 post lift - The Garage Journal Board