4 post car lift

[kylebuck]

Looking to add some vertical space to my garage.
What brand do you have and would you buy it again?

[zeek]

[Frankie the Fink]

I bout one from "Garage Gadgets" in Orlando; its the one they used at the NCRS event when it used to be at Kissimmee, FL. Yes, I would buy it again BUT the same lift is rebranded by several companies.... Mine is labeled PROKAR; you can spend a lot more for a Backyard Buddy or several others but I saw no need - this one works fine for EVERYTHING I do

[zeek]

Originally Posted by Frankie the Fink

I bout one from "Garage Gadgets" in Orlando; its the one they used at the NCRS event when it used to be at Kissimmee, FL. Yes, I would buy it again BUT the same lift is rebranded by several companies.... Mine is labeled PROKAR; you can spend a lot more for a Backyard Buddy or several others but I saw no need - this one works fine for EVERYTHING I do

Nice! My next garage will be tall enough for one....

[markids77]

The Fink shows a fair reason not to go 4 post... if you need to take a tire off for any reason you must jack the car up off the lift, instead of using the lift to jack up the car.

[Kevin68]

Originally Posted by markids77

The Fink shows a fair reason not to go 4 post... if you need to take a tire off for any reason you must jack the car up off the lift, instead of using the lift to jack up the car.

He’s looking for vertical storage. Can’t do that on a 2 post. Both have their advantages, always a trade off.

OP, check out https://www.bestbuyautoequipment.com/
Lots of options. There aren’t many manufacturers of lifts, just a lot of different badging. I have a Direct Lift 9000# extra long extra wide. Would buy again. Everything about it seems solid. But whatever you buy, there aren’t many, if any, that are 100% USA sourced and manufactured. And if their is, be prepared to pay. Used and set up properly, they are all designed with large safety factors. That said, I do oil/fuel filter changes on my 7500#Ram on my back.

[Yadkin]

Originally Posted by Frankie the Fink

I bout one from "Garage Gadgets" in Orlando; its the one they used at the NCRS event when it used to be at Kissimmee, FL. Yes, I would buy it again BUT the same lift is rebranded by several companies.... Mine is labeled PROKAR; you can spend a lot more for a Backyard Buddy or several others but I saw no need - this one works fine for EVERYTHING I do

Are those oak stumps?

[Yadkin]

Originally Posted by Kevin68

He’s looking for vertical storage. Can’t do that on a 2 post. Both have their advantages, always a trade off.

This.

And I like a four post moar bettah. Light beams instead of heavy cantilevers.

[ratflinger]

4-post Direct Lift from Derek Weaver - ALI certified. You can get jacks that lift either end and fit in the include jack tray.


I've had both and prefer the 4-poster

[Rodnok1]

I have a Worth 12k extended lift, they use chains.
Works very well, I use it as an alignment lift so it's been leveled to as close to perfect as I could get it.
I've seen some of the wire rope units eat pulleys in short order.
If you're looking for storage type lift only the wire ones ard fine I'm sure.
I use mine regularly and glad I didn't get that style.

[kylebuck]

Originally Posted by markids77

The Fink shows a fair reason not to go 4 post... if you need to take a tire off for any reason you must jack the car up off the lift, instead of using the lift to jack up the car.

I need storage.

[Black94lt1]

I don’t recall the brand of mine, maybe never knew, bought it from a local distributor that offered delivery and installation. The heaviest part is the runner with the hydraulic cylinder, takes 2-3 people to handle it. They had mine installed in less than 2 hours.

Mine is American made and have had it for over 15 years with no issues other the cylinder developed a minor leak a couple of years ago. I pulled it and had a hydraulic shop rebuild it along with making new hoses.

Best purchase I’ve ever made. The ones now have adjustable stops so if you need them 1” higher you don’t have to raise the base plates like I had to do

[MadInNc]

Ive had a BendPak HD-9W for 17+ yr's. Been perfect. Wide enough to easily back on to without worries about knocking a mirror off.

When I bought I researched and at that time BendPak was one of the few that was ALI and ETL and other certified. Had more papers than the BackYard Buddy at the time. Has air locks so need a small compressor which gave a second level of security from kids messing with it. I also bought a rolling jack (see pic on front of M1) so I can raise the front or back of any car on the lift. While metal is from overseas, they are assembled and shipped in the US. Their own brand, not relabeled.

With a few friends installed it at first house in a couple of hours. Weight is as stated all in ramp with hydraulics. You can also have installed a a list on installers can be found on their site. When we moved I paid their guys I found on the site to move the lift. As long as I more than 2 cars, I will have a 4 post lift. Literally 100's of oil changes, dozens of brake jobs and a few clutches. Saved my back many a times. Never laid on the ground since then. Never any issue with lift ever.

Check out Garage Journal https://www.garagejournal.com where ya can find way to many options on 4 post lifts

[Datawiz]

Originally Posted by kylebuck

I need storage.

Throw that junk away!

[Don Rickles]

I use a lift for both, storage and to work on cars. My son gets the credit for buying and having the Rotary 10k installed. Luckily, I built the garage to the perfect height so that the lift just fit. I could squeeze another four post lift in the rear of the garage, I'm trying to unload all the crap taking up the space now....

[Frankie the Fink]

You can get a "bridge jack" for 4 post lifts to do same axle lifting, front or rear, but - not cheap....some use inflatable "air bags" to do the same thing. I haven't found anything I could not do on the 4 poster (including a complete rear end overhaul of EVERYTHING); it does take some patience and a bit of ingenuity, but. its worth it to me. A good, beefy bottle jack in the sliding tray to get the car airborne then some jack stands and some wooden "backup" blocks and its safe and convenient.

Also a 4 post lets me prop up heavy suspension components on the ramps during R&R without a lot of drama... (second pic)

[Vandelay Industries]

Poor people problems.

[MadInNc]

Originally Posted by Frankie the Fink

You can get a "bridge jack" for 4 post lifts to do same axle lifting, front or rear, but - not cheap....some use inflatable "air bags" to do the same thing. I haven't found anything I could not do on the 4 poster (including a complete rear end overhaul of EVERYTHING); it does take some patience and a bit of ingenuity, but. its worth it to me. A good, beefy bottle jack in the sliding tray to get the car airborne then some jack stands and some wooden "backup" blocks and its safe and convenient.

Also a 4 post lets me prop up heavy suspension components on the ramps during R&R without a lot of drama... (second pic)

I’ve the rolling jack or bridge jack as ya say. 2nd best investment with 1 being the lift

[RMVette]

I have a Superior lift that I bought used from a Corvette club member and I think they're out of business now. Pic from when I had my C5:

[Datawiz]

Originally Posted by Vandelay Industries

Poor people problems.

You work for Carvana?