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.:flag:

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.

One lift, two Vettes. The garage door track had to be raised.

http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o...rl61/001-2.jpg

:iagree:
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.

O.K.I have plenty of height so thinks look promising.Can you suggest a manufacturer?

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,

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 had to cut out the garage ceiling for the hood to clear. Garage door opens only partially to clear the front bumper. Mine is Pro Park 8S from GSE.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...t/DSC_5133.jpg

Just curious, since BYB lifts aren't certified, what are the safety features that makes it worth the price hike?

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..

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.

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.:flag:

Forgot, Autolifters is out of business that is why I bought BYB:thumbs::cheers:

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! :cheers:

Autolifters is out of business but some of their employees bought it and renamed it All American Lifts. www.allamericanlifts.com

:iagree: I concur with this post and post number 2. :thumbs:

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.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...4/BILD0334.jpg
The third lift will go between the two. I must get rid of nine bicycles in my collection to make room.
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...4/BILD0313.jpg

I've got a Backyard Buddy lift in my garage. I really like it. Here' are a couple of pictures.

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...rLift09Web.jpg

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...rLift10Web.jpg

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...rLift01Web.jpg

- Mark

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

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/
:thumbs:

1. Correct
2. incorrect
3. incorrect
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ESKrSzWM0Tk/Sm...0/100_0963.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ESKrSzWM0Tk/SS...0/DSCN4129.JPG
http://members.shaw.ca/toyzforboyz/images/Mvc-063f.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/toyzforboyz/images/Mvc-062f.jpg

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

Bend Pak here love it (4 post)

Backyard Buddy on order... will post pics once I receive it.

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.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...rage/009-5.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...rage/001-7.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...rage/003-6.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...rage/002-8.jpg

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 have a direcpark 7 and I had to have a shaft side mounted garage door opener installed.

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.

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" :thumbs:

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

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.

Thanks buddy for those measurements I just received my lift but I don't have my car at the moment...gives me an idea were to mount the lift :thumbs:

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.

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. :willy: 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. :ack:

Anyways, not here to smear them and sorry for the ranting. Clearly I have way too much time on my hands… :smash:

Theoretically speaking, a 2 post lift would inherently be less stable with a car on it due to just 4 small pads at the end of 4 arms supporting the vehicle. Should the car get rocked, knocked, etc. by whatever means, it MAY be enough to cause the car to slip and fall. Also theoretically is the stress put upon the 4 lifting arms which have constant force placed on them while the car is in the air. Metal fatigue or flaw and the car could come crashing down. Will it ever happen, I doubt it. More likely to happen is the car to come crashing down due to poor set up. This happens in shops all the time and I personally have witnessed it twice. Once when the Mitubishi factory regional rep was looking at my car and the brand new top of the line Montero came crashing down in the next bay. (Rep immediately approved my fix ;) )

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.

Be safe--buy American!
 

:iagree:

I don't think stability is actually an issue when considering 2 or 4 post. The question is: "Do I want to park something under it?"

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. :D

Can anyonw reccommend 1 or 2 different 4 posts lifts that they would reccommend? Safety would be my 1st consideration.

Thanks.

I have the same on and am very happy.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/h...8/P1070244.jpg

[quote=Mark VerMurlen;1571736984]I've got a Backyard Buddy lift in my garage. I really like it. Here' are a couple of pictures.

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...rLift09Web.jpg

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...rLift10Web.jpg

http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/m...rLift01Web.jpg

Something is wrong in the middle picture ;):rofl:;):willy:

I bought an All American Lift. Out of Kansas. Before I bought it, I drove to the place of manufacture (short 4 hour ride). The owner builds the lifts just like Backyard Buddy. Actually, he worked for the company that Backyard Buddy spun off of. Dont be fooled by the less than professional website of his. Thats because he is a metal bending and welding maniac. He is a perfectionist in his work. Small team of 3 or 4 good old boys building these things. Uses top grade steel, larger than normal cables. The locking mechanism on his lift is what sold me. If you are thinking of a Backyard Buddy, check out All American Lifts. Same thing, better price, and built by some long time metal workers with a LOT of pride in their work. Finish on the product is first rate. You will be very pleased.

BendPak, Rotary, Mohawk...
Go with the big guys. They are big for a reason. And they are ALI certified, if that's important to you (and since you said safety is your first consideration, I assume it is).

If you are cool with paying a lot more for a non-ALI lift, then yes you will likely be pleased.

:iagree:
I did a lot of research. I would check on the Bend Pak as well.

I really like my direct lift pro park 8 plus, includes wheels, drip pans and jack tray. ALI certified. Great price $2195 plus I added the hydraulic jack for $ 500, someday hope to add another jack. Just need to learn how to use it.:rofl:
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...oth72/lift.jpg:rofl:

Stinger - Great lift - 2950.00

http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/a...0/DSC04958.jpg