car lifts in garage
10-07-2009, 01:50 AM
#21
Team Owner
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.
2. incorrect
3. incorrect
10-08-2009, 06:18 PM
#22
Drifting
Lift that can also be a work lift.
Great Post, I was going to post the same subject. I do have one more requirement.
I would like the option to use the lift as a work lift. Has anyone also purchased a lift that you could suspend the car and take the wheels off to work on suspensions etc?
I'm ready to buy.
ErnieO
I would like the option to use the lift as a work lift. Has anyone also purchased a lift that you could suspend the car and take the wheels off to work on suspensions etc?
I'm ready to buy.
ErnieO
Last edited by VRedZ06; 10-08-2009 at 08:36 PM.
10-09-2009, 12:38 AM
#24
Backyard Buddy on order... will post pics once I receive it.
10-09-2009, 06:15 AM
#25
Instructor
Member Since: May 2009
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Here’s an example of jackshaft openers and high tracks in my shop. Used scissor trusses to maximize interior height without over powering existing house. House has 8’ walls, shop 10’ but you can’t tell by the way it is offset and 50’ away.
10-09-2009, 07:44 AM
#26
Melting Slicks
Alot of the lift vendors sell a Jacking Tray as an option. It fits between the treads of the lift and allows you to place a jack on the tray and jack up either the front or rear end.
I use a scissor lift and then jack stands when I am doing any wheel work. I think that there a air lifts also.
Good luck.
I use a scissor lift and then jack stands when I am doing any wheel work. I think that there a air lifts also.
Good luck.
Great Post, I was going to post the same subject. I do have one more requirement.
I would like the option to use the lift as a work lift. Has anyone also purchased a lift that you could suspend the car and take the wheels off to work on suspensions etc?
I'm ready to buy.
ErnieO
I would like the option to use the lift as a work lift. Has anyone also purchased a lift that you could suspend the car and take the wheels off to work on suspensions etc?
I'm ready to buy.
ErnieO
10-09-2009, 10:31 AM
#28
Safety Car
Damn you guys. Now you got me interested in a lift again.
My question (I'm at work).....what is the height of a C6 Vert and a C3 Coupe?
Thanks in advance.
My question (I'm at work).....what is the height of a C6 Vert and a C3 Coupe?
Thanks in advance.
10-09-2009, 10:44 AM
#29
Le Mans Master
Another question you need to ask yourself is 2 post or 4 post. As you can see, a bunch of guys here got the 4 post drive on style. That will get you easy storage for 2 vehicles but when you are looking to do undercar or tire work, you are VERY limited due to the design. Some people get the hydraulic pumps to lift the tires.
A 2 post will offer slightly less stable long term storage ability, but will afford a vast improvement in working on the vehicle. Pretty much comes down to your personal needs.
Of course the real answer would be "get both"
A 2 post will offer slightly less stable long term storage ability, but will afford a vast improvement in working on the vehicle. Pretty much comes down to your personal needs.
Of course the real answer would be "get both"
10-09-2009, 01:16 PM
#30
Melting Slicks
jh225,
I don't have a lift YET but will soon.
I agree with the 4 post design giving difficult access to the under carriage. So what is meant by"less stable long term storage" for a 2 post? 2 post seems to be the way to go
I don't have a lift YET but will soon.
I agree with the 4 post design giving difficult access to the under carriage. So what is meant by"less stable long term storage" for a 2 post? 2 post seems to be the way to go
Last edited by HAD2HAV2; 10-09-2009 at 01:17 PM. Reason: spelling
10-09-2009, 01:43 PM
#31
Team Owner
My 09 Z06 is 49" and my 64 C2 coupe is 50". Those should be close to your cars. Remember, most lifts have locks on 5 or 6" centers so you have to always go to the next lock height. For example my lifts are ......48", 53", 58' etc so both the C6 and C2 have to have the ramps locked in the 53" position( if they are under the lift. So, in my case if I have the C6 under and the C2 on top, the measurement would be 53" + 4"(thickness of the ramps) + 2"(overtravel to set locks) + 50" plus 1" clearance to ceiling from the top of the C2 = 110" minimum ceiling height.
10-09-2009, 02:23 PM
#32
Melting Slicks
My 09 Z06 is 49" and my 64 C2 coupe is 50". Those should be close to your cars. Remember, most lifts have locks on 5 or 6" centers so you have to always go to the next lock height. For example my lifts are ......48", 53", 58' etc so both the C6 and C2 have to have the ramps locked in the 53" position( if they are under the lift. So, in my case if I have the C6 under and the C2 on top, the measurement would be 53" + 4"(thickness of the ramps) + 2"(overtravel to set locks) + 50" plus 1" clearance to ceiling from the top of the C2 = 110" minimum ceiling height.
10-09-2009, 03:15 PM
#33
Team Owner
If you're tight on ceiling height, you might want to do as I did. I keep my 56, with the removable hart top on, on top of one of my lifts. I'm just shy a couple of inches of being able to raise the list to it's top position without ramming the 56's hardtop into the ceiling. I cut a 1'' heavy wall water pipe 5'' long(making sure the ends were square to the bore) and slipped it over the hyd cyl shaft, before I assembled the plate that secures the cables. That way the hyd cyl will bottom out before my car hits my ceiling. Of, course, if you don't have any senior moments, disregard.
10-09-2009, 03:19 PM
#34
Intermediate
Member Since: Sep 2009
Location: Riverside CA
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I've got two 4 post lifts, the first i bought 6 years ago was an Autolifter M6. It was a good american made lift with all the good heavy locking mechanisms and I paid $2200 for it. The second one I just bought from BYB and it has the same quality, probably better than the first but it was $4200. Six years and the increased price of steel were the difference. I would not get under a Chinise lift for all the tea in China! I would recommend the BYB but you pay for quality and piece of mind. Go to their website, they have an excellent vidio on comparing theirs to one of the Chinese lifts.
1. Price. For the lift that you are getting, it’s just ridiculous to pay that much for a non-certified lift.
2. Their attitude towards certification. For what they sell their lifts for and for how great and safe they claim to be, I’m surprised that they summarily refuse to get the darned things certified. When asked directly about that (check the GarageJournal thread below), they tried to spin non-compliance as some sort of benefit to the user:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...d+buddy&page=2
That kind of response led me to believe that the mouthpieces of BYB must think I’m somewhat of a moron. I don’t like it when people think I’m somewhat of a moron…even if I am!
3. Their marketing in general (as others have mentioned) is really strange and negative. They do give the impression that standing under any other lift is a threat to your health and that buying anything manufactured in China makes you some sort of a traitor. At the same time, they test their lifts by ramming them with a forklift and running it around the shop without casters on…
4. That VIDEO with Jason Wood.
I don’t know Jason Wood or really anything about the guy except something about him seems to drip sleaze. If you watch the entire Backyard Buddy video, you’ll also see that at key parts (where he winks knowingly at the camera) the sound drops out. *shiver* I can only imagine what libel atrocity dripped forth from his maw. http://www.autolift.org/buyer_beware.htmBendPak also did a pretty thorough job of addressing BYB’s claims. Not quite as flashy as that video, but still a good read http://www.asedeals.com/backyardbuddy_bendpak.pdf
The sad thing is that they might very well be selling a killer product and made in USA too which is really nice when you can get it. They are just rubbing me totally the wrong way with their pricing and marketing. BendPak, Rotary, Mohawk (made in USA!)…all ALI certified and don’t make me feel sick.
Anyways, not here to smear them and sorry for the ranting. Clearly I have way too much time on my hands…
Last edited by MechaMunch; 10-09-2009 at 03:22 PM.
10-09-2009, 07:51 PM
#35
Le Mans Master
)A 4 post is inherently more stable at raised height just because the car is completely supported on the drive on tracks.
My vote would be 4 post for strictly storage use and 2 post for a working lift.
10-09-2009, 08:31 PM
#36
Drifting
Member Since: Oct 2006
Location: Phoenix AZ
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
Be safe--buy American!
I've got two 4 post lifts, the first i bought 6 years ago was an Autolifter M6. It was a good american made lift with all the good heavy locking mechanisms and I paid $2200 for it. The second one I just bought from BYB and it has the same quality, probably better than the first but it was $4200. Six years and the increased price of steel were the difference. I would not get under a Chinise lift for all the tea in China! I would recommend the BYB but you pay for quality and piece of mind. Go to their website, they have an excellent vidio on comparing theirs to one of the Chinese lifts.
10-29-2009, 02:30 PM
#37
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Member Since: Sep 2009
Location: Riverside CA
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Another question you need to ask yourself is 2 post or 4 post. As you can see, a bunch of guys here got the 4 post drive on style. That will get you easy storage for 2 vehicles but when you are looking to do undercar or tire work, you are VERY limited due to the design. Some people get the hydraulic pumps to lift the tires.
A 2 post will offer slightly less stable long term storage ability, but will afford a vast improvement in working on the vehicle. Pretty much comes down to your personal needs.
Of course the real answer would be "get both"
A 2 post will offer slightly less stable long term storage ability, but will afford a vast improvement in working on the vehicle. Pretty much comes down to your personal needs.
Of course the real answer would be "get both"
If you do, then you are likely best off with a 4-post. It's true it's nice to work on wheels when they are just hanging in the air, but that's what bridge jacks are for.
11-14-2009, 06:16 PM
#38
Here’s my problem with Backyard Buddy.
1. Price. For the lift that you are getting, it’s just ridiculous to pay that much for a non-certified lift.
2. Their attitude towards certification. For what they sell their lifts for and for how great and safe they claim to be, I’m surprised that they summarily refuse to get the darned things certified. When asked directly about that (check the GarageJournal thread below), they tried to spin non-compliance as some sort of benefit to the user:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...d+buddy&page=2
That kind of response led me to believe that the mouthpieces of BYB must think I’m somewhat of a moron. I don’t like it when people think I’m somewhat of a moron…even if I am!
3. Their marketing in general (as others have mentioned) is really strange and negative. They do give the impression that standing under any other lift is a threat to your health and that buying anything manufactured in China makes you some sort of a traitor. At the same time, they test their lifts by ramming them with a forklift and running it around the shop without casters on…
4. That VIDEO with Jason Wood. I don’t know Jason Wood or really anything about the guy except something about him seems to drip sleaze. If you watch the entire Backyard Buddy video, you’ll also see that at key parts (where he winks knowingly at the camera) the sound drops out. *shiver* I can only imagine what libel atrocity dripped forth from his maw. http://www.autolift.org/buyer_beware.htm
BendPak also did a pretty thorough job of addressing BYB’s claims. Not quite as flashy as that video, but still a good read http://www.asedeals.com/backyardbuddy_bendpak.pdf
The sad thing is that they might very well be selling a killer product and made in USA too which is really nice when you can get it. They are just rubbing me totally the wrong way with their pricing and marketing. BendPak, Rotary, Mohawk (made in USA!)…all ALI certified and don’t make me feel sick.
Anyways, not here to smear them and sorry for the ranting. Clearly I have way too much time on my hands…
1. Price. For the lift that you are getting, it’s just ridiculous to pay that much for a non-certified lift.
2. Their attitude towards certification. For what they sell their lifts for and for how great and safe they claim to be, I’m surprised that they summarily refuse to get the darned things certified. When asked directly about that (check the GarageJournal thread below), they tried to spin non-compliance as some sort of benefit to the user:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...d+buddy&page=2
That kind of response led me to believe that the mouthpieces of BYB must think I’m somewhat of a moron. I don’t like it when people think I’m somewhat of a moron…even if I am!
3. Their marketing in general (as others have mentioned) is really strange and negative. They do give the impression that standing under any other lift is a threat to your health and that buying anything manufactured in China makes you some sort of a traitor. At the same time, they test their lifts by ramming them with a forklift and running it around the shop without casters on…
4. That VIDEO with Jason Wood.
I don’t know Jason Wood or really anything about the guy except something about him seems to drip sleaze. If you watch the entire Backyard Buddy video, you’ll also see that at key parts (where he winks knowingly at the camera) the sound drops out. *shiver* I can only imagine what libel atrocity dripped forth from his maw. http://www.autolift.org/buyer_beware.htmBendPak also did a pretty thorough job of addressing BYB’s claims. Not quite as flashy as that video, but still a good read http://www.asedeals.com/backyardbuddy_bendpak.pdf
The sad thing is that they might very well be selling a killer product and made in USA too which is really nice when you can get it. They are just rubbing me totally the wrong way with their pricing and marketing. BendPak, Rotary, Mohawk (made in USA!)…all ALI certified and don’t make me feel sick.
Anyways, not here to smear them and sorry for the ranting. Clearly I have way too much time on my hands…
Can anyonw reccommend 1 or 2 different 4 posts lifts that they would reccommend? Safety would be my 1st consideration.
Thanks.
11-14-2009, 08:21 PM
#40
Pro
[quote=Mark VerMurlen;1571736984]I've got a Backyard Buddy lift in my garage. I really like it. Here' are a couple of pictures.
Something is wrong in the middle picture
Something is wrong in the middle picture