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Author
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Topic: Car lifts
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64FalconF-16
Gearhead Posts: 191
From: Republic Of Texas!! Temporarily living in KY
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 01-10-2003 09:30 AM
   
I posted this on the Tool forum too. I just (finally) got concrete poured in my shop. Now I am wanting a car lift to put in it.
I am looking at the two post lifts. Does anyone have one of these? If you do I have a few questions before i go out and buy one. Any input on these would be appreciated!! Rick ------------------
Rick Austin 64 Pro-Street Falcon
351C 4V 8.1s in 1/8
79 Ford Bronco 4 X 4
400 9.9s in 1/8
2000 F-150 XLT 5.4L
1932 Ford 3 window Coupe
http://mustangsandmore.50megs.com/64FalconF-16.html
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Just Strokin
Gearhead Posts: 754
From: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 01-10-2003 10:02 AM
Just a question....How thick is the concrete where you are going to put the lift?If it is only say 4-6" thick, I don't think I would get a two post unless I cut out and repoured a thicker area where the post will mount. I like the thoughts of a 4 post in the stability of it on 'thin' concrete. Just my thoughts and not the opinion of others. ------------------
Larry No fast Fords at this time but one fine cruising 96 F350 CC DRW Power Strokin diesel.
And one rusty 64 Fairlane nick-named the Rust Bucket....And sometimes called the Money Pit... The sounds of a brain dropping into gear.....
"Buzzzzzz.......Click"
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64FalconF-16
Gearhead Posts: 191
From: Republic Of Texas!! Temporarily living in KY
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 01-10-2003 10:40 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Just Strokin:
Just a question....How thick is the concrete where you are going to put the lift?If it is only say 4-6" thick, I don't think I would get a two post unless I cut out and repoured a thicker area where the post will mount. I like the thoughts of a 4 post in the stability of it on 'thin' concrete. Just my thoughts and not the opinion of others.
Yes, It is 4-6" thick. The only problem I have with the four post is you can't get the wheels off of the car like you can with the two post unit. Rick
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Bob Hopkins
Gearhead Posts: 253
From: BRIDGEPORT NJ USA
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 01-10-2003 02:46 PM
Ok if your worried about thin comcrete what about a 2'x2' 1/2" steel plate under each post to spread load over a bigger area???
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BLUE
Gearhead Posts: 118
From: COLLINSVILLE, IL
Registered: May 2002
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posted 01-10-2003 05:55 PM
the 2 post my buddy has in his shop already has about a 2ft x 2ft maybe 3/8 thick foot on the bottom of the posts(came like that from the factory) he also has 2 4 posts in his shop. both have there ups and downs, the biggest down on the 2 post is the legs you swing under the car to lift it sometimes get in your way on undercar work.
we mainly use the 2 post for brake and suspension work.
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Mike Harris
Gearhead Posts: 122
From: Oakfield, Ga USA
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 01-10-2003 10:56 PM
I have a two post lift in my shop and I love it. My pad is thicker, but 4-6 inches of fiber reinforced concrete is all you need. 3000psi is a lot of load capacity multiplied 4 times or more. I have a friend with one as well and his pad is about 5 inches thick. Most two post lifts have a mount pad of 2 feet or better span. Spreading the load is not a problem. The four post takes up alot of valuable room in the shop. There may be a few minor areas you can't get to depending on were the jacking arms are on the car, but the whole underside other than that is WIDE-OPEN! Great for exhaust work, transmission work, suspension work, rear end,...I just have had no troubles. I have also had a 7500 pound work truck on it with nor problems.------------------
Mike Harris
MKZ Racing
home.isoa.net/~mharrisj
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64FalconF-16
Gearhead Posts: 191
From: Republic Of Texas!! Temporarily living in KY
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 01-13-2003 10:10 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Mike Harris:
I have a two post lift in my shop and I love it. My pad is thicker, but 4-6 inches of fiber reinforced concrete is all you need. 3000psi is a lot of load capacity multiplied 4 times or more. I have a friend with one as well and his pad is about 5 inches thick. Most two post lifts have a mount pad of 2 feet or better span. Spreading the load is not a problem. The four post takes up alot of valuable room in the shop. There may be a few minor areas you can't get to depending on were the jacking arms are on the car, but the whole underside other than that is WIDE-OPEN! Great for exhaust work, transmission work, suspension work, rear end,...I just have had no troubles. I have also had a 7500 pound work truck on it with nor problems.
Thanks Mike. Who did you buy your lift from? Rick
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64FalconF-16
Gearhead Posts: 191
From: Republic Of Texas!! Temporarily living in KY
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 01-14-2003 07:51 AM
Thanks for the input on the lifts. I am going with the two post lift. I have two cars that are 4 linked. I am tired of the jacking tricks to get the tires out from under the car. The two post lift makes more sense to me and the things I work on the most.
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Razor
Journeyman Posts: 13
From: Niagara Falls , Canada
Registered: May 2003
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posted 05-25-2003 02:09 AM
There's a hydraulic jack that can go between the ramps of the 4 post unit to lift just the wheels if thats what you need. You just use that, don't need any jacking tricks and in my experience everything is much more accessible with the 4 post unit.
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HHStang
Gearhead Posts: 181
From: SC, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 05-25-2003 09:45 PM
Wouldn't this extra jack be just like jacking the wheels on the ground? If so, what good does the lift do you?
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67stang
Gearhead Posts: 1676
From: Lynn Haven FL
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 06-27-2003 01:07 AM
I may be a little late on this, but my uncles two post lift just ripped out of his 5 inch thick concrete slab at his shop. Ripped out I say, took the whole damn floor with it, and the vehicle.Ouff dah. BTW I found out that they recommend something like 12 inches of concrete for the lift 
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Scott G
Journeyman Posts: 23
From: Chattanooga, TN USA
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 06-27-2003 06:19 PM
I just looked on Rotary Lift's website, and they recommend between 4.25 and 5" thickness depending on model, but it looks like all models meant for light duty (normal cars and light trucks) would only need a 4.25" thick slab with 3.25" of anchor engagement.Scott
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n2oMike
Gearhead Posts: 1678
From: Spencer, WV
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 06-27-2003 07:55 PM
With thinner pads, make sure the car's center of gravity is right between the posts. Don't put the car on too far forward.Good Luck! ------------------
Mike Burch
66 mustang real street
302 4-speed 289 heads
10.63 @ 129.3
http://www.geocities.com/carbedstangs/cmml_mburch.html
http://www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/healey/367
http://www.mustangworks.com/cgi-bin/moi-display.cgi?220
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bigblocked85
Journeyman Posts: 95
From: Waterford,MI
Registered: May 2003
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posted 07-02-2003 01:18 AM
Have a four post lift and will never go any other way. Dont have to worry about balance, centered alignment, nothing. You will never have more access to the underside of your car than with a four post. If you plan on doing adjustments to your rear suspension etc., dont even think about a two post. BTW, for removing tires, changing brakes etc., I have two tall tripod stands that I use to install under the frame rails and then let the lift down as far as needed. For me it's a perfect setup. Good luck
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64FalconF-16
Gearhead Posts: 191
From: Republic Of Texas!! Temporarily living in KY
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 07-09-2003 07:59 AM
I have two backhalfed cars. the four post lift will never be able to lift the car high enough to remove the rear end. I have decided to go with the two post lift. finally. I tested both and the Two post makes more sense to me and how I would use it in the long run.
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HHStang
Gearhead Posts: 181
From: SC, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 07-15-2003 11:05 PM
I too appear to be going with the 2-post for my back halfed 67 Stang.
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HHStang
Gearhead Posts: 181
From: SC, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 07-16-2003 08:29 PM
What brands are people using? What do you know about Autolifters lifts?
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