2 post or 4 post vehicle lift ideas

[EddieWalker]

I have a rolling jack for my 4 post lift. Makes it easy to do wheel, tire & suspension work.

https://www.northerntool.com/products/bendpak-rolling-bridge-jack-for-4-post-lifts-6000-lb-capacity-model-rbj-6000-61832?cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Automotive%20%3E%20Automotive%20Lifts%20%3E%20Lift%20Accessories&utm_campaign=BendPak&utm_content=61832&ogmap=SHP%7CPLA%7CGOOG%7CSTND%7Cc%7CSITEWIDE%7COOT%7C%7C%7C%7C168841796%7C8722155956&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAuYuvBhApEiwAzq_YieOj8tVb1I1d2Kw_nkL-NvWOzFwj59rHVfLB7OGaYprLbx5XaxcbShoC8JYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I never heard of a rolling jack before. I think that would make the 4 post a better choice in my opinion.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Most of my stuff leaks (at least a little, now and then ). The bottom car would need a plastic tarp, if I had a 4 post and used it for storage.

They make these 4 post drip pans for that purpose:

Drip Tray Extensions

The DX-9000-XLT model has an adjustable width setting that allows the non power side runway to be extended out another 4". The drip trays that come with the DX-9000-XLT will not fit on the wider setting. The drip tray extensions provide an easy solution to still allow use to use your drip trays...

www.advantagelifts.com

I saved a few $$ by going to a restaurant supply outlet and getting a cheap aluminum sheet pan.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I never heard of a rolling jack before. I think that would make the 4 post a better choice in my opinion.

The air or electric powered models are quite pricey but there are cheaper manually operated units.

Well worth the investment though, since it increases the usefulness of any 4 post lift.

 

[gstrom99]

Well worth the investment though, since it increases the usefulness of any 4 post lift.

Seems to me, the slide-able lift would be a requirement... and adds big $ to the 4 post lift option.

 

[workinonit]

I personally think it takes a shop bigger than 40 x 60 to have a 4 and a 2 post lift. But then I think everyone needs a 80 x 100 shop anyway. I have a 30 x 50 shop and a 40 x 60 equipment building and they are both way too small.

 

[workinonit]

I also wouldn't have my lift in a drive through configuration like you have drawn. The wall in front of your vehicle is where the tool boxes and work bench need to go.

 

[not2old]

I like my Twin-post very much because it's not really used for car or truck stuff. Here's what my take is:

I used it to position and install the fully loaded 34" tires on my 1070 tractor. Stand them up on one of the arms, drive tractor in, remove old tire & wheel, hang on the other arm. Swing heavy tire into perfect position. Done. Nobody scared or hurt.

Have a pto shaft that won't come apart ? Well, those days are gone. A couple of chains and it's in 2 pieces.

Lawnmower blade sharpening and deck inspection ? No problem.

Have a Summer only mower to store ? up in the air all winter.
I did have to remove old concrete and install the welded rebar and a special concrete mix specified by the installing company and installers.
But, the mower servicing capability has really paid off.
Friend brought a F-350 dually over for a 14 qt oil change. No problem (I have the 2 tall jack stands in use to remove fears because the truck rocked a bit too much for the naive.

This was funny: Put my golf cart on it to inspect the rear axle lube. A cart with a roof is taller than my vehicles. When raising it the cart roof hit the safety bar stop. And 'they' don't want you to be able to back it down. Supposed to make an emergency call. I let the air out of the cart's front tires and it released.

A word to the wise: Mount the verticals with a thick steel pad under them if you are 6' tall. If i bump my head on one of the extended arms 1 more time I'm gunna shoot it.

Here are a few pics I could dig up. The rack for the lawnmower is made from semi-truck car hauler ramps.

I really like that mower rack. I need to make something like that to do oil changes and the like. No reason you couldn't do it for a car

 

[not2old]

I also wouldn't have my lift in a drive through configuration like you have drawn. The wall in front of your vehicle is where the tool boxes and work bench need to go.

Another consideration is that doors aren't cheap and do you really need to drive through?

 

[lincmercguy]

I haven't gone through all of the replies here, but I did spend five years swinging wrenches in a shop with both. We had an oil change rack that was four-post, and an alignment rack that was four post. The need for the alignment rack is obvious.

The oil change rack is mainly for getting cars off and on easily and the handy oil drain tray. It's also so low-experience lube techs can lift cars with less chance of an issue. It did have jacks that could lift the car off of the rack for tire rotations, but they were a pain to use. They would be okay for tire rotations and possibly brakes. However, if you're dealing with any kind of suspension or major work, the platform is going to be in your way.

A two-post lift takes more time and skill to lift, but makes things much easier to work on. It's also useful to take the front wheels off of a pickup and make the front end lower for engine work. Go with an asymmetrical lift, better balance and easier to enter/exit vehicles. The lift can be in the way if you're working on the interior, but you can just back the car up a little. Also be sure to get the proper set of lift pad extensions if you use them for pickups. I always hated seeing techs try to use a 4' section of frame to lift a pickup. Also be sure of your lift's pad/mounting requirements are met when they pour the floor.

If it's just to store vehicles and you only change oil, a four-post might be a better option. If you want to work on them, an asymmetrical two post is the way to go.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

I figured that asymmetrical was a given for a 2-post. But it can still be tricky to get a diesel pickup somewhat balanced on one.