2 post or 4 post vehicle lift ideas

[ttour]

As a 45 year repair tech(mechanic) the 2 post lift gives you better access to almost everything. The 4 post lift will interfere with any type of brake work or wheel work. It's definitely harder to get in & out of vehicles when they are on the lift but to me as a repair tech. It's worth the trade off to have the 2 post type. I'm not sure if they make a 4 post lift that can put a dually on .

 

[Frxdy]

A two post & you are always bending over locating jack points....and adjusting the height of the little posts on the arms, then hitting the post when the car/truck door opens. Don't forget about balance point worries. Next time.... I will have a four post with a rolling bridge jack for wheel & brake work.
Tips for new shop building: Next to the entrance door, have a on-off switch that goes to the thermostat, and a switch for the air compressor. Don't forget the outside air hose!

 

[gatornapper]

My 3-bay shop/garage is 40 x 26, built in 2012, with a 10k lb. 2-post lift and boy am I glad I got a 2-post. Too many things you cannot do on a 4-post. Door issue is an inconvenience only solved by a commercial lift with posts farther apart.

You have a dream shop - my only regret is I didn't make mine larger. But I did break the bank when I built mine (myself - commercial GC & EC for 40 years among other things).

In early '80's I restored old tractors for fun. In 2017 I moved to restoring old non-911 semi-rare Porsches - have 3, sold another: 914, 924 Turbo (sold), 944 S, 928 5-spd.

GN

I searched the forums using the search function, and could not find what I was looking for. So, here goes. ADMINS, if this is the wrong forum for this topic, apologies. Let me know if it needs to move.

Ok, so... I'm recently retired from a very long 36 year career in the US Army. I bought property in South Carolina, and recently moved into my forever home. We just broke ground for my workshop, and here is my rough floor plan. I want a vehicle lift to work on my dually, my Jeep, my UTV, etc. but I can't decide on either a 2 post or a 4 post. I have read the pro's and con's of each, and still can't make up my mind.

My brother is a 30 year heavy diesel mechanic, and has a 2 post lift at his house. He has told me the differences, and his opinion on the matter. I've never had a lift before, but I know it is a must have for my new shop.

What are your thoughts, from those who have lifts. Also, which brand do you recommend?

My shop will be 40' wide, by 60' deep. I will have three 12x12 roll up doors with aprons, situated as shown in the diagram. I'm adding drains as well. The 14' over hang will have the first 20' finished off, and will be my office. There will be a full bathroom (toilet, sink and shower) in the office area.

Shop will be insulated, and wired with both 110v and 220v.

Looking forward to your insight. Much appreciated.

View attachment 855096

 

[gatornapper]

If you can afford it, get one of each! Best of both worlds!

You can do 80% of your stuff on the "easy" 4-post! Your shop is big enough. That's why commercial shops have both.

What's a few more thousand dollars with a shop your size?

 

[1700E Dreamer]

I searched the forums using the search function, and could not find what I was looking for. So, here goes. ADMINS, if this is the wrong forum for this topic, apologies. Let me know if it needs to move.

Ok, so... I'm recently retired from a very long 36 year career in the US Army. I bought property in South Carolina, and recently moved into my forever home. We just broke ground for my workshop, and here is my rough floor plan. I want a vehicle lift to work on my dually, my Jeep, my UTV, etc. but I can't decide on either a 2 post or a 4 post. I have read the pro's and con's of each, and still can't make up my mind.

My brother is a 30 year heavy diesel mechanic, and has a 2 post lift at his house. He has told me the differences, and his opinion on the matter. I've never had a lift before, but I know it is a must have for my new shop.

What are your thoughts, from those who have lifts. Also, which brand do you recommend?

My shop will be 40' wide, by 60' deep. I will have three 12x12 roll up doors with aprons, situated as shown in the diagram. I'm adding drains as well. The 14' over hang will have the first 20' finished off, and will be my office. There will be a full bathroom (toilet, sink and shower) in the office area.

Shop will be insulated, and wired with both 110v and 220v.

Looking forward to your insight. Much appreciated.

View attachment 855096

Have a 4 post 9000 lb Wildfire
Same size shop
I roll it into the corner in the winter for storage then back in front of the door for servicing the truck in the summer
Yes 2 post are better for servicing
But no worries about cars falling of
Don’t need to bend over to place the lift points then shake the car to see if it’s stable
Drive on drive off
Just my 2 cents

 

[crabbinman]

Congrats on the retirement!

I have had a two post for a long time. As stated it is much easier to use for brakes, etc.

One thing for me is that as I have gotten older (65 now) it is a bigger ordeal to lay on the floor and get up off the floor.

Good luck finding the right fit and with your shop build!

 

[boatmoter]

I searched the forums using the search function, and could not find what I was looking for. So, here goes. ADMINS, if this is the wrong forum for this topic, apologies. Let me know if it needs to move.

Ok, so... I'm recently retired from a very long 36 year career in the US Army. I bought property in South Carolina, and recently moved into my forever home. We just broke ground for my workshop, and here is my rough floor plan. I want a vehicle lift to work on my dually, my Jeep, my UTV, etc. but I can't decide on either a 2 post or a 4 post. I have read the pro's and con's of each, and still can't make up my mind.

My brother is a 30 year heavy diesel mechanic, and has a 2 post lift at his house. He has told me the differences, and his opinion on the matter. I've never had a lift before, but I know it is a must have for my new shop.

What are your thoughts, from those who have lifts. Also, which brand do you recommend?

My shop will be 40' wide, by 60' deep. I will have three 12x12 roll up doors with aprons, situated as shown in the diagram. I'm adding drains as well. The 14' over hang will have the first 20' finished off, and will be my office. There will be a full bathroom (toilet, sink and shower) in the office area.

Shop will be insulated, and wired with both 110v and 220v.

Looking forward to your insight. Much appreciated.

View attachment 855096

as a retired tech,I prefered the 2 post lift,it give's more room around and underneath the vehicle.this is the most popular lift at the independent shops and dealers I worked

 

[kirkkw]

I haven't seen or maybe I missed that anyone has mentioned a scissor lift. They come in low, mid and tall lifting heights. The tall has many of the advantages of a 2 post, however it does not require the floor space. If you get a permanent floor mount lift then you can use the jack as a regular parking space.

However, since scissor lifts generally use the body or frame edges to lift from like a 2 post you must first bend over and make adjustments before lifting. In the case of a scissor life you need to place blocks on the lift so that it makes contact properly before lifting.

 

[Dunno]

2 post. I have 2, one in barn, 9k, one in garage, 7k. Do not buy a new junk-metal one from the land of chop suey, they are dangerous. Find the video of a fellow who tested them and see how much a bunch of liars they are. Literally busting apart well before stated load. Find a used made in USA Mohawk, like I have. Come out of older car dealerships when new dealer takes over and rehabs place and puts in all new lifts. The guys that remove them will also install them. A new Mohawk 9k lift installed is around $18k. Used you can get it for 10 cents on the dollar. Yes, there is a difference!

 

[Dunno]

Go to Medium.com/@gregsmith. The video is down, but if you find it, it shows what happens. Dangerous!