2 post or 4 post vehicle lift ideas

[Too many Kubotas]

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

For a while, maybe.

Our fast Stellantis/FCA cars are Granite, the Porsches and Audis are Daytona Gray. Trying to stay under the radar, figuratively and literally.

 

[hgl1tbn]

I am am envious!
I had a 30 X 50 and it was big enough for me. More bigger = more stuff I didn't need. If you don't believe me then put up a "temporary" flat surface in your shop somewhere. It will be full in a day (o:
One more thing to consider. Will you be working mostly on your own few pieces of equipment or many different ones? If you are doing mostly your own stuff then once you have put them on the 2 post a few times you will get the hang of where they need to go and where to put the arms. No biggy. If they are always going to be different then maybe a 4 poster?
Also try and pick up an old stainless steel sink and add a mirrored medicine cabinet above it and put them in the shop by the bathroom or office. You will be amazed how many times you will use it.
Good luck with your build.

 

[Paul McILwain]

Still like the old centre underground air/hydraulic post then you have zero posts when not using

 

[GC6430]

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

Install a asymmetrical 2-post lift, 12,000 lb capacity, with an emergency electrical cut-off switch, and a floor drain in the center of the floor beneath the lift. Bore a 12" diameter x 30" deep pier with #6 rebar underneath each of the 2 legs of the lift.

 

[deserteagle71]

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.

Wow! That's a beautiful shop!

 

[gstrom99]

Still like the old centre underground air/hydraulic post then you have zero posts when not using

I asked my installers about those underground hoists and yes, they still install them in some shops. I thought they were obsolete.

 

[Doug Vee]

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

I don't have a lift, but have been considering this lift for my needs.

Concerning the 2 post lift, you could make structural accommodation for a 2 post lift in your slab that would cover you for possible future change of mind possibility. Even if you did go with the 4 post, the strength would be there for the 2 post.

Doug

 

[Graemet]

A friend of mine has a two post he put his 37 V8 on it however car was too far forward he lifted the boot (trunk) lid and the car tipped forward too much weight at front. Thats why I got a four post easy drive on ok you have too put a jack in too take wheels off but its safer for me.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

When Ram went to radius arms in the front, I questioned the by-the-book placement of the forward lift arms. Especially since there were pads about a foot forward of the pivots that looked like they were made to use as lift points.

Somewhere I have a photo where I'd marked the center of gravity on the pickup and the distance to the suggested lift points. They were about six inches apart! And that was with a gas engine.

Eventually I got Ram to admit that those pads were "alternate lift points". Using them was much easier than putting 1,000 lbs. in the bed to get things better balanced.

 

[GLJ]

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