Car Lift Recommendations?

[Seattle Sam]

Due to limited garage space I am ready to add a car lift. The primary use will be for storage, but it will also make some projects easier to complete (like detailing the bottom of my 67 Camaro).

Which would be better, two-post or four-post? Anyone have a favorite brand / model? Should I avoid any brands? Is an electric lift preferred to an air lift?

Your opinions are appreciated!
-Seattle Sam

[Belair62]

I'm in the same boat.The 4 posters are pretty much the same to varying degrees. I happen to have Eagle lifts which work fine and seem to be pretty safe.At least you can park something underneath as opposed to a 2 post.

[Zedder]

Sam,

I set up a group purchase last year with some of my Corvette friends on the Internet and we got a very good deal from Superior (www.superlifts.com). I ended up giving my deal to a buddy since we were moving, but we have since decided to push the house off for another year, so I am going to go ahead and get the lift. I plan on contacting Superior at the end of the month to set up my deal. The guys at Superior promised to give me the same deal when I was ready. I'll have to look it up, but I think we got the lift, wheels, alum ramps, oil change canister and drip pans for $3,300 delivered in the US. Anyone I know that has one is very happy with it. If you do your research, I think you'll find this is the best deal on a quality lift going. Also heard good things about Double Park - they were my second choice.

[toner]

We have 6 fordsmith above ground lifts at work, plus 1 of their mobile column lifts, they work great. They don't list it on their site but they do sell a 9000 lbs lift, ours were just under $3000 each.
http://www.fordsmith.com/tec15and18.asp
http://www.members.shaw.ca/david.p.brown/shop.htm
Scroll to the bottom of page to check out the 9000lbs lift this guy has in his tinkering shop. /ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif

toner

[Stefano]

There are several price tiers and the $3,000.00 to $4000.00
lifts work very well for the Hobbyist.

I have had better quality lifts in our shops over the years but they were more than 2x as much, but used every day for many years.

I have had a "Perfect Park" from Lifts Unlimited in use for several years. They would mfg. lifts for at least three of the other Companies and one even sold one of their older models as the latest and greatest for a period of time.

They are all very similar in design and mfg. Check the shipping weight of the lift you decide to purchase as they all have similar components and the weight will tell you a lot about the heft of the materials used to build it.

There can be up to a 500 pound weight difference on similar/equipment lifts /ubbthreads/images/icons/shocked.gif

The Hobbist level lift which I purchased has no problems fitting or lifting my '02 1/2 ton Suburban and fits a car as Wide as a C5 Corvette.

I have had problem free operation and have recomened the lift to many people including several list members, who now have more than one.

The 4 post seems to be the best all purpose and safest way to both store and work on Cars, IMO.

[COPO]

I have a Perfect Park 4 post lift as well and it's been a good trouble free lift. When I purchased it 3-4 years ago, it seemed to be the best hobbyist lift available.

[jimbo]

I have a Stinger four post.Pretty happy with it.If you need any real world measurements to see if a lift will work in your garage let me know.Hate to see you buy one and then not be able to use it.

[Seattle Sam]

Thanks to all for the recommendations. I am compiling a list of features and prices, and I will post here when I have it done. I am pricing lift, casters, aluminum ramps, jacking tray, and three drip trays.

It looks like the Perfect Park has a design advantage in the fully enclosed column, although I don't understand what they are claiming as far as the columns spreading. perfect Park also claims Barrett-Jackson and Kruse International as customers.

Zedder, how many units did Superior want to sell to make a GP?

Thanks,
-Sam

[Zedder]

Sam,

I think my GP was about 20 units, but I'm pretty sure I can still get that price for anyone who buys with me. I agree that the Perfect Park looks nice and I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. However, I could not justify the increased price to get the additional structural integrity. My cars always weigh in at about 3,200 lbs or so, so the 7000 lb Superior more than meets my needs. Later this week I'll see what Perfect Park will offer on a package deal. Their lift is only $300 more than Superior, but their options are quite expensive. With Superior I get the lift, casters, drip trays, aluminum ramps, jacking bridge and oil drain canister for the price of the Perfect Park lift only. To be honest, I have only heard positive things about both Perfect Park and Superior - so either would make me happy. Also, I'm an NCRS guy and Superior supplies lifts for our judging events etc. Hundreds of our members own them. Pick either of these and I think you'll be happy.

[MotownMadman]

Mark, for some reason the board wont let me send you a PM, send me your email address.
Motown /ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif

[JChlupsa]

Not sure the make and moeld of the lift but on one of the Vette boards one of the guys posted pics on his lift that collapsed with his Vette on top (raised) with another car underneath. I cant seem to find it right now but will keep looking for it.

[Zedder]

Jeff,

It was in the C3 section of the Corvette forum about Feb of last year. It was an Eagle I believe and it was the lift owners negligence that caused the colapse. Regardless, this incident prompted a number of lift manufacturers to make changes to their pulley designs.

[budnate]

Hello.

[budnate]

Guys I think I may be ready for a 4 post lift..I need a compact one that is narrow...I found one yesterday and measured it today...it might barely fit but it could be a tad narrower...I dont like it having to be anchored to the floor and the locking system kinda makes me nervous....it seems ok but only on the left bar instead of all four corners...check it out..I just looked online today at the back yard buddy it looks well built and I like the wheels under it would be the ticket for how tight I am..but there units are to wide...anyone else find a narrow one???? I can get this one for 8 bills and I need to move the dam thing..looks like forklift rental time $$$$$ if we go for it...I have no idea what brand it is..we found a Co sticker and looked online they call themselves {Air Dreco} in Tx, they just look like distributors of sorts... if we even hit the right place with a google search...anyone seen these around??? it has real heavy duty I beams on the corners like 3/8 thick!! and ramps and runners are all one piece with 2X2x1/4 box tube it looks plenty beefy, with a 240V motor...need some quick advice before this deal go's away.

Thnx Bud.

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/137912-Lift1resized.jpg

[budnate]

2

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/137913-lift2resized.jpg

[budnate]

3

[jimbo]

Dont get one to narrow or a car wont go on it. Mine is 102in.to the outside of each post and 92in between the posts.Why would it need to be bolted to the floor? It doesnt look any more flimsy than other four posts. Double check the garage door height, the height of the cars and the height of the locks on the lift to be sure everything fits.