2 be or 4 not to be? Lifts, that is the question.
 

Here’s the deal. I’ve been planning on buying a 4-post lift for over a year now. I did my research and picked one out, prepared placement, utility drops, and thought the only thing left to do was pull the trigger on the actual purchase of the lift.. Unfortunately or fortunately the shop build has taken a lot longer than planned as well as over budget (cut into my tool funds) hence the long wait.

The problem – I’ve had way too much time to question my initial decision/choice of the 4-poster and I am now on the edge of changing my mind and purchasing a 2-poster instead. I’ve recently talked with a friend who is a professional mechanic of 25 years and he’s dang near talked into a 2-post lift.

What say you all? Please share why you would go with a 2-poster over a 4-poster or vise versa. Go ahead – push me over that ledge.

Thanks in advance!

Re: 2 be or 4 not to be? Lifts, that is the question.
 

2 post...no doubt ,hands down, no question..4 post is good if your doing muffler work...anything else the 2 post is the only way I would go..takes up less room in shop..you have almost unlimited access to trans, all suspension and anything else underneath the truck, ......my 2 cents worth

Re: 2 be or 4 not to be? Lifts, that is the question.
 

lots more stuff in the way on the 4 post lifts, but pre 60 trucks are hard to get on 2 post lifts
ideally get the 4 post with x-members and jacks and you can do suspension and brake work

and if your tall get an extended lift

Re: 2 be or 4 not to be? Lifts, that is the question.
 

I got the xtra wide extra tall atlas 10k lift and I don't have any trouble getting my 55 1st series on it,,, maybe if the truck was 2 inches off the ground it might be a problem... I dunno

Re: 2 be or 4 not to be? Lifts, that is the question.
 

I have a Rotary two post. 4 Post lifts are too limited in purpose and take up too much space. I wouldn't own one.

Re: 2 be or 4 not to be? Lifts, that is the question.
 

I have a 2 post 9K lb lift. Challenger brand. If you get a 4 post you will regret it. 4 post just get in the way a lot.

Re: 2 be or 4 not to be? Lifts, that is the question.
 

The big advantage of a 2-post, to me, is that removing cab and bed off the frame is a breeze.

Re: 2 be or 4 not to be? Lifts, that is the question.
 

Thanks everyone.

Your inputs echoe everything my friend told me. Especially how the 4-poster can be hard to work around and the floor space issues.

Looks like I will be rerouting my power drop for a 2-poster.

Re: 2 be or 4 not to be? Lifts, that is the question.
 

If I was limited to just 1 lift.....2-Post no doubt about it!

Re: 2 be or 4 not to be? Lifts, that is the question.
 

Piling on kinda late with my vote for two post. Love my Rotary two post and my only regret is not getting it 10 years sooner.

Re: 2 be or 4 not to be? Lifts, that is the question.
 

Hey I just went though 6 months of back and forth with lifts... Literally a hundred hours of research and pricing of every lift sold in the US. I feel your pain!

Hands down the best answer is a Challenger V-Symmetric, 10k 2 post lift. A V-Symmetric is the best of both worlds of Symmetric (which is for rear wheel drive vehicles) and A-Symmetric lifts (which are for front wheel drive cars). The Challenger V-Symmetric lift lifts the top 50 vehicles sold in the US. The key is the front arms have a 90 degree bend in them.

I actually bought a pair from the local O'Reilly's for $9247 installed, tax included. O'Reilly's price matched the lowest bid I could come up with, plus I could buy from my favorite parts person which was worth a lot to me. That made his sales month for sure! I realize you can buy a cheaper lift, but you get what you pay for. What's a few extra bucks when that cheaper lift fails with a vehicle on it?

Don't be a tight butt and try to save the installation. The installers will be there a few hours and you can put your first vehicle on it before they leave. PLUS if it is installed by them you get lots of extra warranty time.

Also don't be fooled into buying a cheaper version of a name brand lift. The reason its a cheap version is because there are cheaper parts installed/used. The cheaper lefts sometimes have a crappy warranty to boot. When you actually compare apples to apples the Challenger V-Symmetric is the way to go.

Re: 2 be or 4 not to be? Lifts, that is the question.
 

Thanks for the post esbstuff. What is the actual model number for your lift? I want to research it.

Thanks again!

Re: 2 be or 4 not to be? Lifts, that is the question.
 

Hers a picture of one of the decals. I blocked the serial number out, but eveything you need should be there. I have been 100% pleased with the lifts. Several of my shop friends that have been over since they were installed all say they wish their employers would put this lift in.

One last thing... I am a bigger than average guy, so this was an important thing for me... I have no problem getting into and out of vehicles that are on the lifts. That goes for square body trucks and front wheel drive cars. Currently I have an 01 Stratus 4-door on one. Not much trouble to get into and out of it.

Re: 2 be or 4 not to be? Lifts, that is the question.
 

Thank you sir!

Re: 2 be or 4 not to be? Lifts, that is the question.
 

I'm looking at a 4 post so I can store my truck out of harms way through the winter and still park another under it.

Re: 2 be or 4 not to be? Lifts, that is the question.
 

I've decided on a 2-poster. Going to be a coin toss between the challenger and bendpak. But like you, I want to eventually get a 4-poster for exactly your reasoning.