2 post or 4 post vehicle lift ideas

[a5t1]

I'll chime in as well - went through this same dilemma when adding one to my shop. It depends on what you want it for and what your situation is. I am almost always working by myself. I mainly use the lift for routine maintenance and smaller repairs (exhaust, brakes, wheel bearings, etc) In short, I found a used 14k 4 post that had center jacks with it. IMO you need the jacks. Then you can do most things with it except body/frame separation. The 4 post is much quicker to get a vehicle on/off. I also feel that it's safer when working by yourself. Lastly, I've never had issues where there wasn't enough room to work on something (but I'm not a shop and not dropping cradles/subframes either.)

Regarding the above post - most 4 posts have guards or stops to prevent that situation. If the stops weren't there, keep a set of chalks on the lift.


One additional thought - please don't skimp on the lift capacity.

 

[Martin Roper]

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

I have put up a workshop last year for my semi retirement, was going for a two post, even had the floor made thicker for the posts. At the last moment I switched to a four post which not only does not have to be bolted down but can be moved around on wheels if required ( used it to put up the work shop lights). I can have our Land Rovers, 2.5 tonne digger, tracked chipper, the small tractors and the lawn mowers (Ferris's, and Scag's) with the aid of a central rail on it. Trailers are easy to service on it as you can jack the wheels off the ground and have full access underneath where as with a two post you would have the legs in the way. Also have the ability to use it as a work bench for various projects. The decision to change has not been regretted except for the ability to lift the body off a Land Rover to assist changing the chassis. The other advantage of a four post over a two is that you don't have to scrabble on your knees to position the legs .

 

[90cummins]

I don't know if you guys who are suggesting 2 lift think money grow on trees or if you just have too much money but ether way throw in a few $$ at Op's to fund it then... it's not like he has a shop to built after all.

When I bought my Mohawk years ago it was $5k installed a lot then.
There are some things you don’t want to learn by mistake's, peace of mind & safety were a priority!
As was mentioned used Mohawks are out there so I would go that route.
90cummins

 

[Dunno]

Had my Dodge 3500 Cummins dually long bed 4x4 on the 7k lift - it’s 9500lbs. Wanted to see what it would do. Lifted it enough to rotate wheels. Don’t try this at home. That’s when I knew I needed a larger lift.
For safety, buy some jack stands made to go under the arms of the two-post lifts for security. Like falling a tree, if it starts creaking get the heck outta there fast via your pre-planned safe route. Just a two second mental plan. The jack stands will give you a precious few seconds.

 

[Ckerch]

I went with an asymmetrical 2 post Challenger that is made in USA. I know it cost a little more but when I have a heavy vehicle over my head, I trust a good old USA made over a China made? This was also my first lift and there are times when it would be nice to have a 4 post like when I work on my 64 Riviera. It has an x frame where I need to position the car perfectly for the arm to reach the frame lift points. However, this hasn't stop me from lifting it safely. For me the 2 post offer unobstructed access to the whole car. Whatever you decide, there is going to be a time when you would like the other type.

If you have not poured the concrete yet, I would recommend you determine where a 2 post would be located and make that concrete thicker in the pad area. It may be over kill but, it sure would not hurt and for me it did not cost any more.

Thank you for your military service and good luck,
Carl

 

[ismilelots]

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

I don't have an answer .... but I wanted to say Thank You for your Service!!!

 

[DrRighteous]

I just installed a 9000 lbs 2 post list in my shop. If I was going to do it again, I would have gotten the symmetric arm instead of the asymmetric arm lift. The main hassle is getting the vehicle lined up and position on the arms is more critical to make sure it is balanced front to back. But being one that has always had to crawl under a vehicle and jack it up and then roll around on the ground to do the work, this is a dream come true. My back just couldn't handle it anymore. Some of my fellow car guys much younger than myself tell me of the same trouble so then I didn't feel like such an old man.
If you are not concerned about big diesel trucks a 9000 lbs lift is with reach of most people.

Here is what I purchased. For the price I cannot complain. It just has to ship by truck so that isn't cheap.

Race Tools Direct 9,000 lb. Capacity Overhead 2 Post Lift - Asymmetric

The Race Tools Direct 9,000 lb. Capacity Overhead 2 Post lift has been designed to include standard features that make them an incredible value!

racetoolsdirect.com

 

[houdel]

My garage is 32'x64'. I have 10' and 12' roll up doors and a pedestrian door in the front 32' wall and another 10' roll up in the middle of one 64' long side wall. I would put two doors in the front of your garage and rotate the lift in your diagram 90 degrees and move the side door past the lift. The layout as you have it, the lift negates using the door in the front because the lift will block drive through access. With two doors in the front and the lift behind one of them you will have full drive through access through both doors. I have a 10,000 lb two post lift and wouldn't even consider a 4 post; the two post lift is much more versatile. Yes you do have to get down to position the lift arms but a two post gives you full access to the suspension, drive train, exhaust and brake and fuel lines. With a four post the lift you will be constantly ducking around the lift rails. And as others have mentioned, an asymmetrical lift will give you more room to open the car doors. Also as mentioned get a "clear floor" lift where the cables and hydraulics are overhead, much nicer. 6" of concrete is the minimum recommended where the lift posts sit.

 

[vagem55]

Thank you for your service (me, too) and this highly followed thread.
Moving the lift, safety, drip pans, jack platforms, etc. skew toward 4 post for me.
With the added 11,000-pound capacity and dually trucks mentioned (still with wheels), I am seriously considering this one, so you may also.
It includes drip pans and jack platform.
Perhaps someone can weigh in.
Advantage SS-11000-WD | 11,000 LBS. 4-Post Lift

 

[rocco611]

Mohawk lifts sometimes show up used on Govdeals.com and sell for a reasonable price . Mohawk lifts are by far the best of all the brands but very expensive to buy new. After looking at the prices and reviews of Rotary, Challenger and Bendpak I purchased a 10k extra wide extra tall Atlas 2 post lift for my new shop. Price was reasonable, its mounted to 6" reinforced concrete and doesn't even flex with a 1 ton Dodge diesel pickup on it (9000lbs) Most of the problems I have seen with two post lifts is that they were installed incorrectly. The posts need to be mounted level, square , shimmed and fastened firmly to the concrete so that in moves up and down without binding or flexing.

 

[Bentrim]

There is arepair shop in Florida that uses two post lifts and will often state how the vechicle has to be positioned. He has three in a small shop.
If curious search for Rainman Rays repair

 

[zzvyb6]

I really like that mower rack. I need to make something like that to do oil changes and the like. No reason you couldn't do it for a car

These are easy to install & remove. The lift arm pucks come out and the ramps then bolt in their place. I have marks on the floor to indicate placement when re-installing. Word of caution, though: The mower wheel tracks need to be the same otherwise the machine won't settle in safely.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Maybe not the most common use, but the 4-post sure came in handy when loading a car with an 8-degree approach angle on a trailer.

That would not work with a 2-post, unless it's a deck-over trailer and a wide enough lift.

 

[jkearsing]

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

I have a 40’x60’ shop. Although mine is set up with 2 14’x14’ roll-ups in the front and 1 14’x14’ roll-up as a pass through on the left rear. My sidewalls are 17’9” so I have plenty of overhead clearance for lifting and creating a mezzanine (highly recommended).

I have. A 2-post 9K auto lift in the right front of my shop. When I lift my crew cab F250, it puts my lift at its limit. I slightly offset it from the roll up door thinking I would need extra space for my tool box, but I am now in the process of moving it to center. Like another poster mentioned, keep it in the center of your roll up. I also agree that the electric should be run overhead. I did mine that way and have repeatedly found it to be helpful when moving the toolbox and hydraulic jacks.

The cons to a 2-post (IMO) is the spacing issue with the doors when on the lift. If I bought another one, I would look for something wider than I have now, but I would still do a 2-post. I have a hard time getting in and out of the truck/car when they are on the lift. Also, wouldn’t trust leaving a vehicle in the air unless I was using a car brace at one end, which limits your ability to get another vehicle under the one in the air. Lastly, as mentioned is having to get under the vehicle to find the lifting points. I bought the auto lift guide: Vehicle Lifting Points Guide (2024) - Autolift.org to help find the right points. Although any mods to your vehicles will throw off the lifting points(like an aftermarket gas tank or upgraded radius arms).

The pros to a 2-post are the minimal space it requires, the ability to work on tires/wheels and suspension, and varying widths of vehicles (lifting arm are adjustable).

I have a friend with a 4-post and he loves moving it out of the way due to the heavy duty casters. He can also park another vehicle under it without concern.

My last recommendation, as mentioned by another poster, would be to go larger. I have already run out of space. With your set up, if you go with a 4-post, go wider with your shop. If you go with a 2-post, go longer. If you have the money, do both!

In the pic with the truck. I have a vehicle brace under the front. In the pic without a vehicle (screenshot from a video), the electric is run off the top of the post on the left and the lift is off center. I thought I would be able to pull straight in and swing the lifting arms under my cars, but that didn’t work as planned

Good luck!

 

[johncanfield]

I have an Atlas 2 post (10,500 pounds) and have never regretted my purchase. I used it to highly modify my Rubicon, work on my truck, a buddy’s truck, etc. i have a series of YouTube videos of the install on my channel - JohnHillCountry.

 

[aircommuter]

I am on home shop number 4. You have a a lot of pros and cons. One more thing is a 4 post takes up more space when not being used. I have had single post, too restrictive, I had a 2 post with both posts in ground, wasn’t too bad except for differential work. Now I have two 2 post units. Bend Pak 10K asymmetrical and a Nussbaum 7k. If you need to store a just add floor space. More useful.
One person gave reason commercial shops had both types. The real reason is they have enough work volume and workers.
Now for the shop. Make the walls 20’ high so you can have plenty of clearance and add a mezzanine where you don’t need the height. Floor thickness 7” with steel on 16” centers and 4 bars minimum around a thickened perimeter footing. Consider electrical now and use all conduit and you can put conduits under the slab. Since you want insulation use foam insulated panels. Less waste floor space and quieter also. Look at AWIP for reference to find a manufacturer on the east coast. They are in California. Plan on infrared spot heaters as they heat the objects which is more efficient in bigger buildings.

 

[zzvyb6]

Maybe not the most common use, but the 4-post sure came in handy when loading a car with an 8-degree approach angle on a trailer.

That would not work with a 2-post, unless it's a deck-over trailer and a wide enough lift.View attachment 855622

Ah ! On it's way to be painted it's proper color I hope.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

One thing the 2-post is better at is for removing and installing beds on pickups.

Made the flatbed on the C&C easily removable and while the crane can be used, there's more movement than I care for (working alone, as usual).

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Ah ! On it's way to be painted it's proper color I hope.

Not quite. It was on it's way to get traded in on one in a proper color.

 

[zzvyb6]

Not quite. It was on it's way to get traded in on one in a proper color.

Red is ALWAYS faster. It's a scientific fact...