Vehicle Lift. 2 or 4 post ? ? ? ?

[Fred n' Ethel]

Decisions, decisions.
The more I look, the more undecided I am.
I have a nice new building with room for either a 2 post or a 4 post lift.
Each have their pros and cons.
From what I've gathered:

The 4 post does not need to be anchored to the floor (but can be) and is mobile with casters with or without an auto on it. Very nice ! It is for a combination of service as well as overhead storage allowing a vehicle to park underneath. Cool !

The 2 post NEEDS to be anchored, is great for service, overhead vehicle storage ...... not sure but probably not recommended. More versatile lifting arm configuration might be a plus. Price is generally a bit less than the 4 post, but not really an issue at the moment.

If any of you would be so kind as to contribute your personal experiences and preferences in order for me to finalize my decision, I would be much appreciative.
This would be just for hobby, personal use in maintaining my ever growing fleet of toys and daily drivers. Nothing over a 3/4T truck.

I'm leaning toward the 4 post, but am still on the fence.
(saw some on display at Carlisle last week ... Backyard Buddy was one)
Thanks kindly.

[darrellyates]

Originally Posted by Fred n' Ethel

Decisions, decisions.
The more I look, the more undecided I am.
I have a nice new building with room for either a 2 post or a 4 post lift.
Each have their pros and cons.
From what I've gathered:

The 4 post does not need to be anchored to the floor (but can be) and is mobile with casters with or without an auto on it. Very nice ! It is for a combination of service as well as overhead storage allowing a vehicle to park underneath. Cool !

The 2 post NEEDS to be anchored, is great for service, overhead vehicle storage ...... not sure but probably not recommended. More versatile lifting arm configuration might be a plus. Price is generally a bit less than the 4 post, but not really an issue at the moment.

If any of you would be so kind as to contribute your personal experiences and preferences in order for me to finalize my decision, I would be much appreciative.
This would be just for hobby, personal use in maintaining my ever growing fleet of toys and daily drivers. Nothing over a 3/4T truck.

I'm leaning toward the 4 post, but am still on the fence.
(saw some on display at Carlisle last week ... Backyard Buddy was one)
Thanks kindly.

I normally don't see post here, as I have a '68 but noticed yours. I agonized for months before purchasing lifts. I purchased 2 4-Post lifts for my garage. Deciding factor for me was overhead storage. I part cars on the lifts, and under.

I purchased lifts from Best Buy Automotive. They have LOTS of service stuff. Yes, they are made in China. Even BendPak makes their small 4 post lifts in China. That was the deciding factor for me.

They are great! I got the sliding jack for doing tire and suspension work. I've used them for lifting/installing engines, bodies off of frames, and of course routine maintenance work that you do on all cars. I vastly prefer the 4 post lift, because I think they are simply safer. And, correctly installed and taken care of they work very well. I did not anchor mine to the floor, and they work great (I was advised to NOT bolt them to the floor)!!

Will try to submit a picture ... They were both under $2000 a piece when I bought them. Wish I would have gotten them 20 years ago!

[Fred n' Ethel]

Hey thanks Darrell !
I'm leaning a bit further now in the direction of the 4 post .... your photo nearly put me on my ear.
I hadn't considered lifting a body off with a 4 post. Did you suspend the body with straps ? At a glance, it doesn't look like the lift would go high enough for the body to clear the chassis unless it was a "thin" body ? Please expand.
(I squared up your pic, once I got back up on the fence)
Thanks again.

[mongocanfly]

it really depends on how your gonna use it....for me a 4 post would be useless...i wouldnt take a gold nickle for my 2 post. ...one of the handiest things I've put in my shop....do a search on here for lifts....its been beat to death before....

I still can't figure out how Darrel keeps those trucks on his lift withem turned that way....must be using that flexseal tape or gorilla glue or something. .....haha

but check with greg smith equipment....good prices and free shipping if you have a way to unload it.....that's where mine came from....atlas brand

[Fred n' Ethel]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

....do a search on here for lifts....its been beat to death before....

Oh damm, I hate it when that happens. First attempt didn't reveal much, I'll dig a bit deeper and wider.
Sorry for that.
Thanks Greg

[mongocanfly]

here's one for 4 post....http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...archid=6057168

[darrellyates]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

it really depends on how your gonna use it....for me a 4 post would be useless...i wouldnt take a gold nickle for my 2 post. ...one of the handiest things I've put in my shop....do a search on here for lifts....its been beat to death before....

I still can't figure out how Darrel keeps those trucks on his lift withem turned that way....must be using that flexseal tape or gorilla glue or something. .....haha

but check with greg smith equipment....good prices and free shipping if you have a way to unload it.....that's where mine came from....atlas brand

Super Glue and duct tape..... Hold everything in place... ( I thought about saying a giant magnet, but knew that idea wouldn't "stick"....

Believe it or not, I do appreciate the humor... I'm just old and tech-challenged and don't know how to turn them the right way....

[mongocanfly]

if your not familiar with it in the tool bar at the top on the right side is the search feature. ..I just put 2 post lift in it and got 4 pages of stuff...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...archid=6057164

[Tiger Joe]

i have two 4 post lifts. for me the primary use is storage so the 4 post fits that perfect. and secondly i constantly rearrange my garage so i didnt want something a permanent as the 2 post.

one thing- the 4 posters are movable with the casters, but ONLY when empty. you cannot move them with a car on, casters arent designed for that kinda weight.

I bought 1 from best buy auto equipment, and 1 from greg smith. I picked up both of mine, its cheaper if you do. Best buy has a terminal outside Carlisle you can pick up the lifts at.

if my lift was going to be pure maintenance, never used for storage, I would get a 2 post. best all around, including some storage, I want the 4 post.

[darrellyates]

Sorry for the long view.... I actually took that with my Nikon and am surprised that it turned sideways... Or I think I did, it's an old shot and I can't remember.

Yes, I used 2 2x6 boards across the ramps, and then you can use a chain, a hoist, or tie-down straps that I use on the car hauler (what I used). Picks the 1973 Camaro up real nice, and allowed me to bolt it to the rotisserie very nicely.

Same cross member, and a chain allowed me to install the 6.2 and transmission into my C10. Also held up the frame for work on the rear differential; and the taller lift even allowed me to lift the cab (by the roof) to install it on the frame. Of course, the frame of my truck is a lot lower than stock, so I am sure that helps.

I prefer the 4 post. Nothing wrong with a 2 post, just feel safer with a 4 post. Very hard for the car/truck to drop thru the ramps on a 4-post. I do have a couple of sliding jacks, and doing suspension and tire work is very easy.

Last note, the installation professionals I talked to advised me against bolting them to the floor. I was concerned about them buckling. My concern was that if somebody bumped it when parking, it would collapse. They said the only ones they had ever seen that collapsed were bolted to the floor. They said if you bump one and it's NOT bolted down, it just slides. The ones bolted to the floor have a tendency to buckle, so mine are NOT bolted to the floor.

I've been very pleased with them. Understand mine are used more for storage than repairs, but have been versatile for either use.

Thanks for "straightening" me out....

[darrellyates]

Sorry for the long view.... I actually took that with my Nikon and am surprised that it turned sideways... Or I think I did, it's an old shot and I can't remember.

Yes, I used 2 2x6 boards across the ramps, and then you can use a chain, a hoist, or tie-down straps that I use on the car hauler (what I used). Picks the 1973 Camaro up real nice, and allowed me to bolt it to the rotisserie very nicely.

Same cross member, and a chain allowed me to install the 6.2 and transmission into my C10. Also held up the frame for work on the rear differential; and the taller lift even allowed me to lift the cab (by the roof) to install it on the frame. Of course, the frame of my truck is a lot lower than stock, so I am sure that helps.

I prefer the 4 post. Nothing wrong with a 2 post, just feel safer with a 4 post. Very hard for the car/truck to drop thru the ramps on a 4-post. I do have a couple of sliding jacks, and doing suspension and tire work is very easy.

Last note, the installation professionals I talked to advised me against bolting them to the floor. I was concerned about them buckling. My concern was that if somebody bumped it when parking, it would collapse. They said the only ones they had ever seen that collapsed were bolted to the floor. They said if you bump one and it's NOT bolted down, it just slides. The ones bolted to the floor have a tendency to buckle, so mine are NOT bolted to the floor.

I've been very pleased with them. Understand mine are used more for storage than repairs, but have been versatile for either use.

Thanks for "straightening" me out....

[Fred n' Ethel]

Great info folks, thanks.
Expanding the search to the entire forum, not just this board really helped.

Pictured is an older Eagle 4 poster. 1st I've seen with the cyl. on the top. Although it is over 15 years old.
I might be able to nab a used one locally for dirt cheap, its a 15k lb. model.
Any of ya have any experience with this type ?
I think it uses chain instead of cables.
Called eagle, they no longer support it ... at all, not even paperwork.
(forum searched "eagle lift" also ... not much there)

[mongocanfly]

a local muffler shop uses those same lifts....but if theres no parts support itd be hard to buy unless its a real steal... the biggest thing that might give trouble is the pump unit....but those could be interchangeable...

[Fred n' Ethel]

After reading through this:
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com...-your-shop.98/
as well as earlier mentions here regarding certs., whatever I get will have a sticker on it !
Check out that 15k lb test video.
A lot to be aware of with these 2 posters, many happy homeowners might not be as aware as industry pros.
Be careful out there.
Thank you all.