New stable for the horsies (pics!)

[boyo]

Just completed a 3 weekend project (which took 6 months) to upgrade the garage. Raised the ceiling to 10' to accomdate a lift, framed for a window (not yet installed), and painted. Finally just about done, and can get back to the cars...

Here's the pics. Sorry about the silver car - if someone cares to take it off my hands, I'll make ya a good deal. I've got too many cars for the garage, and the 911 stays!

-Boyo








In case you're really observant, the license plate is from the 1948 Willys. I don't really live in Idaho, just thought that was more creative than a PhotoShop blur...

[Nader]

Nice garage! What kind of lift will you be getting? I, too, need a lift and am open to suggestions.

[TedSlick]

Will you be "stacking" cars for storage or is the lift mainly for undercar access? Was wondering why go through the huge effort/expense to lift the roof, including all the related work that entails, not to mention the cost of the lift.
I opted to create a pit space below the car. Can be covered when not in use (for safety) and gives anytime access to the car's underside. No need to alter the garage structure.

[not being critical here, just curious about one approach vs the other]

wouldn't mind having one of these...

[Emission]

Nice garage. A good friend of mine (the guy who got me hooked on Porsche's) expanded his garage and added a lift. His garage now parks 4 cars (5 with the lift). I will try to post a pic.

[autobonrun]

I too am looking at a lift. Fortunately my garage is already high enough (about (11'). I'm leaning toward a two post, four point lift that allows the wheels to hang free so I can do suspension work. I want the SC on top because I'll drive it less but now the issue will be how to keep the oil drips off the new car that will be parked below.

[silverc4s]

I have a 4 post lift from Autolifters in Wichita, KS. It fit in a standard height (118") garage space, and is fine for 2 911's, a full height car will not go underneath, as there is only 8" of clear left with 2 911's.

I have heard that storing a car on a frame lift is not good. Causes excess strain on chassis?? Anyway, I like the four post, no need to drill into floor, also it runs on 110v, etc.. Cost was about $3500 delivered. That was ~ 4 yrs ago..

[boyo]

My primary concern is extra space - I have a 3 car garage and (you couldn't see in the picture) it has 5 cars in it right now!

One of the other reasons that help justify the cost/effort was: there is a HUGE amount of space in the attic above. It was framed with 2x6's@24" spacing - now it's been redone with 2x10's@16" spacing, so it's usable as an extra room. Gonna be my office!

No decision on the lift yet. I like the 2 posters cause they take less space, the 4 posters are cheaper. Got to sell the Boxster before I can get either!

Pits won't pass inspection. Primary reason is safety - all those noxious exhaust fumes go to the lowest point, so anyone working in there can easily get suffocated with a very small amount of fumes. Happened too often.

There's also the whole "being clumsy and falling into them" thing.

-Boyo

[TedSlick]

aaah...fumes, that's something to consider. Could be handled easily with a simple ventilation device, I'm sure. As for falling in, the cover prevents that when not in use, or the car itself acts as a cover while in use. I suppose lifts have their inherent hazards as well
Passing inspection was not a problem

One thing I like about the pit approach is the ability to access the topside and underside of the car simultaneously. Like when adjusting the clutch, bleeding brakes, even changing oil. Useless, though, if there's a need to store cars and probably a bad idea if small children around.

Thanks for those points. Enjoy that new garage...and post pics of your new setup