car lifts in garage
08-10-2009, 04:59 PM
#1
Safety Car
Thread Starter
car lifts in garage
can someone explain or show pics. of a lift for storage purposes.I'm wondering how the garage door opens with the lift in place.Thinking of adding a G.S vert but dont have room and dont wanna sell what I got. Thanks.
08-10-2009, 05:47 PM
#2
Melting Slicks
I order to have a storage lift in the garage, you need at least three requirements:
1) Enought height in the garage to handle the height of both cars and the lift. Most lift sites have a list of the calculation.
2) You need to "retrack" the garage doors so that they hug the ceiling of the garage.
3) You might need to go from a center lift garage door opener (typical sears-type mounted in the center of the ceiling) to a "jack shaft" garage door opener which runs off of the lift springs just above the closed garage door opener. It turns the pulley via a gear, rather than pulling up the garage door from the center. Check Liftmaster site for an example.
My .02. Email me if you have any questions.
1) Enought height in the garage to handle the height of both cars and the lift. Most lift sites have a list of the calculation.
2) You need to "retrack" the garage doors so that they hug the ceiling of the garage.
3) You might need to go from a center lift garage door opener (typical sears-type mounted in the center of the ceiling) to a "jack shaft" garage door opener which runs off of the lift springs just above the closed garage door opener. It turns the pulley via a gear, rather than pulling up the garage door from the center. Check Liftmaster site for an example.
My .02. Email me if you have any questions.
08-10-2009, 06:15 PM
#4
Racer
I order to have a storage lift in the garage, you need at least three requirements:
1) Enought height in the garage to handle the height of both cars and the lift. Most lift sites have a list of the calculation.
2) You need to "retrack" the garage doors so that they hug the ceiling of the garage.
3) You might need to go from a center lift garage door opener (typical sears-type mounted in the center of the ceiling) to a "jack shaft" garage door opener which runs off of the lift springs just above the closed garage door opener. It turns the pulley via a gear, rather than pulling up the garage door from the center. Check Liftmaster site for an example.
My .02. Email me if you have any questions.
1) Enought height in the garage to handle the height of both cars and the lift. Most lift sites have a list of the calculation.
2) You need to "retrack" the garage doors so that they hug the ceiling of the garage.
3) You might need to go from a center lift garage door opener (typical sears-type mounted in the center of the ceiling) to a "jack shaft" garage door opener which runs off of the lift springs just above the closed garage door opener. It turns the pulley via a gear, rather than pulling up the garage door from the center. Check Liftmaster site for an example.
My .02. Email me if you have any questions.
Rule of thumb is the height of the 2 cars + 4 inches for the lift ramps + 4 inches to get the lift off the locks. I have 2 vettes stacked and my garage ceiling height is just under 10ft.
I had my garage door rails raised. Cost was about $300 by a garage door company.
I also went with the side mount garage door opener, jack shaft style for added height.
08-10-2009, 08:51 PM
#5
Safety Car
Thread Starter
O.K.I have plenty of height so thinks look promising.Can you suggest a manufacturer?
08-10-2009, 10:15 PM
#6
Melting Slicks
I think that it depends how much you want to spend.
Most of the Chinese Storage Lifts are in the $1600-1800 range ( I have one from Greg Smith equipment, but there are many sales, and postings on the Auction Site), You should look into the options like wheels, jack trays, and drip trays),
I believe that the next step up is in the high 2000 to the low 3000 range, but these are more substantial.
I would search for 4 post lifts on the Forums(C6, C5, and others) and you will find many opinions.
Best of luck,
Most of the Chinese Storage Lifts are in the $1600-1800 range ( I have one from Greg Smith equipment, but there are many sales, and postings on the Auction Site), You should look into the options like wheels, jack trays, and drip trays),
I believe that the next step up is in the high 2000 to the low 3000 range, but these are more substantial.
I would search for 4 post lifts on the Forums(C6, C5, and others) and you will find many opinions.
Best of luck,
08-11-2009, 12:49 AM
#7
Burning Brakes
I looked at all the lifts when I was shopping including the cheap ones. I ended up with a backyard buddy based upon how it is built and how safe it is. I could have bought 2 or 3 of the cheap ones for the price of the backyard buddy, but I was trapped under a car once, and that was enough to make me want to spend the money on a good lift.
10-06-2009, 01:59 PM
#9
Intermediate
Member Since: Sep 2009
Location: Riverside CA
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I looked at all the lifts when I was shopping including the cheap ones. I ended up with a backyard buddy based upon how it is built and how safe it is. I could have bought 2 or 3 of the cheap ones for the price of the backyard buddy, but I was trapped under a car once, and that was enough to make me want to spend the money on a good lift.
10-06-2009, 02:09 PM
#10
Melting Slicks
i have a dannmar four post lift and i'm totally happy with it... check out costco.com and in the search box type in "dannmar" the great thing about costco is the free shipping and it says in the ad if you aren't happy with it you can return it to any costco warehouse..
10-06-2009, 02:35 PM
#11
Team Owner
I have two of the All American Lifts. They are the same design as the Backyard Buddy. Checkout the design of the locks. When locked, the dog is fully trapped within the post on the All American Lift and the Backyard Buddy.
10-06-2009, 03:26 PM
#12
Burning Brakes
10-06-2009, 03:32 PM
#14
Safety Car
I helped a friend setup and install two Eagle 4-post lifts. They work well and the money was right. At the time of purchase the vendor ran a special and the S&H was free! 
10-06-2009, 06:12 PM
#15
Team Owner
Autolifters is out of business but some of their employees bought it and renamed it All American Lifts. www.allamericanlifts.com
10-06-2009, 08:43 PM
#16
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Jul 2005
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I looked at all the lifts when I was shopping including the cheap ones. I ended up with a backyard buddy based upon how it is built and how safe it is. I could have bought 2 or 3 of the cheap ones for the price of the backyard buddy, but I was trapped under a car once, and that was enough to make me want to spend the money on a good lift.
I concur with this post and post number 2. 
10-06-2009, 10:03 PM
#17
Drifting
Member Since: Jan 2008
Location: Cambridge Illinois
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The lift is in the back part of the garage and the door is not a factor. I had a 22' X 22' original garage and I took the rear wall out and had a 33' X 33' addition put on. Two lifts now with the third and final lift ordered.
The third lift will go between the two. I must get rid of nine bicycles in my collection to make room.
The third lift will go between the two. I must get rid of nine bicycles in my collection to make room.
10-06-2009, 10:38 PM
#19
Pro
Member Since: Oct 2004
Location: Connelly Springs NC
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Here is a link to the write up I did on my install. It shows the door modifications and all. I purchased a direct lift from Greg Smith Equipment. Quite satisfied with my purchase. No need tospent $4k for some of the other lifts. Go look at them and you will see that they are built well.
http://www.keystonestatecorvetteclub...rking_Lift.htm
http://www.keystonestatecorvetteclub...rking_Lift.htm
10-07-2009, 01:00 AM
#20
Racer
I have a BendPak that I am very satisfied with. The safety features and exact size to fit my garage space sold me. BendPak is also tested and approved by the American Lift Institute. Check it out.
http://www.bendpak.com/
http://www.bendpak.com/
