Garage lift recommendations?

[Dafink]

Anyone have a suggestion for a home garage lift? I see there are a few different options, is there any reason to upspend it are they all the same?

Thanks


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[TN90-ZR1]

three buddies bought lift's within the past two years and all tree, after a lot of research all three of them ended purchasing BenPack

[2ljd]

I bought two bendpaks 2 years ago...no complaints, they work great!


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[Jagdpanzer]

Another Bendpak here, fully satisfied and can recommend

[BigJohn]

Like this???

[efnfast]

No Big John, that's a house lift, he just wants a garage lift.

[efnfast]

Greg Smith sells a decent one for about 2 grand. Without knowing a lot about BendPak, seems kinda overkill. Our lifts aren't in a garage going up and down all day long. Couple times a year? My four post is an Eagle, bought it used for $1,400.00. I don't know what they sell for new, but I'm happy with it. It is marked "for occasional use". - Steve

[Mystic ZR-1]

No Big John, that's a house lift, he just wants a garage lift.

Actually, it's a yacht club lift...
🙂

[WARP TEN]

I bought a Direct Lift Pro Park 8S in 2012. Very happy with it since; no problems. Came with casters and drip pans. At the time I was looking for the lift with the most room between the posts and the least overall width to provide room for the wife's car. My research directed me to the 8S. Also did not want to have to depend on an air compressor for the safety stops; the mechanical ones are fine. Lastly, it was moderately priced--about $2,200 plus I paid for delivery and installation of $900, total $3,100 installed. Also bought Race Ramps ($320) because the included steel ramps weighed 70 lbs. apiece! Strong recommendation for getting Race Ramps, only 15 lbs. each.

There are lots of pics in my profile garage album, and if you enlarge them there are comments about the garage and lift in many of them. My garage is 21' x 21' with a 10" ceiling near the door, about 9" 9" at the front, perfect for one 5' tall and one 4" tall car. I had to raise the garage door tracks to within about 6" of the ceiling for clearance and even removed part of the reinforcing brace across the top edge for clearance (it was too close to my BMW's Satellite antenna). Also added a Liftmaster 3800 jackshaft opener which I really like--very quiet-- and added ceiling mounted electrical outlets for the opener and the motor/battery charger to keep cords out of the way. I love having a lift--it allows me to still have a Corvette despite my wife moving us into a two car garage. (Initially that is the reason I sold HIL KING. Agonized for a couple of years then realized I had room for a lift. Immediately bought Warp Ten.) --Bob

[RichS]

I have a extended height Backyard buddy, Superior Lift, and a Atlas. All 4 post lifts. The BYB is the best made, followed by the superior, then the atlas. I built the garage with scissor truss for the extra clearance Some random pics
http://s241.photobucket.com/user/JaymieShuleski/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3322_zpsqfnn3oy7.jpg.html


http://s241.photobucket.com/user/JaymieShuleski/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsi2uzqx7c.jpeg.html

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/80-img_2931_1__cce1d64cff58caa38b7356ca1f6450b50a9987 d4.jpg

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Currently own an Auto lifters and a Backyard Buddy.
Autolifters out of Kansas is no longer in business, but this lift appears to be of a design that Backyard Buddy closely followed.

Both lifts have very robust posts with positive locks that engage the posts in such a way as to lock everything together in a method that makes me feel very safe when working underneath it, unlike other lifts that i have seen.

These lifts are sturdy enough that each can be moved on casters even when loaded, and neither requires bolting to the floor, again, a very clear confirmation of their sturdiness.

My choice then is Backyard Buddy.

I will also say that I inspected a newer manufacturer that was displayed at Corvettes at Carlisle that also appeared equally robust.
I will see if I have their information saved somewhere.

Lastly, a general statement should be that economy is far less important than safety when discussing automotive lifts.
While many are very good, I don't want good, I want the best, strictly from a safety viewpoint.

Good Luck in your selection!

:cheers:
Marty

[BigJohn]

I have a extended height Backyard buddy, Superior Lift, and a Atlas. All 4 post lifts. The BYB is the best made, followed by the superior, then the atlas. I built the garage with scissor truss for the extra clearance Some random pics
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/80-img_3322_d9e16db4d1b67e26446f1aa76dede1e247069d1b. jpg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/80-img_2936_46ba4ca123ec4762160ca86c395d55d2c8d35797. jpg

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/80-img_2931_1__cce1d64cff58caa38b7356ca1f6450b50a9987 d4.jpg



What are you doing to the coupe?

[RichS]

Sorry for the huge pics....
38 Ford deluxe.. Project with my Dad. Replaced the floor, firewall, front cab corners, getting new Flathead, wiring harness........ Was suppose to be floor and motor but it has snowballed! It's now up my dads for the paintwork, then back to my garage to start reassemble.

[BigJohn]

Sorry for the huge pics....
38 Ford deluxe.. Project with my Dad. Replaced the floor, firewall, front cab corners, getting new Flathead, wiring harness........ Was suppose to be floor and motor but it has snowballed! It's now up my dads for the paintwork, then back to my garage to start reassemble.


Cool,
I love thirty's cars!

[aafc]

I have an auto lifter brought new in 1999 in my garage. Over the last 17 years i have replaced two sets of pulleys. I used back yard buddy's pulleys
as auto lifters are out of business . The cables are showing signs of wear and are being ordered from SVI International as Back yard buddy has no cables for
Auto lifter's lift. I should get them in about 2 to 3 weeks.(first time Rpl).
Auto lifter is a 110 v 6,000 lbs 4 post and never been fasten down. it came with 3 drip trays, jack bridge and oil drain container on wheels. Back then it cost about $2700.00 including shipping. If it was not for a 4 post lift i may never have installed an auto transmission in my ZR-1. It also came in handy when i removed my hood to install the hood window.

John

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

What are you doing to the coupe?


Rich,
Your Backyard Buddy in that picture reveals that you are not sitting on the locks, as the one seen is not engaged.
You are supported by the hydraulics, which over time, allow it to lower.
I have the same extra height BYB lift, and occasionally it fails to rise all the way to engage the locks fully at the highest notch, just like yours is showing.

While the locks would engage if something failed, it might give you heart failure if it does so unexpectedly, especially if it happens while you are there.

Although the cross bar limits access somewhat to the freezer in front of mine unless I take it to the highest notch, I back down to the next one ( which yours is at the top of) to mechanically lock it in place as an extra precaution.

You may be aware of this already, but if not, just trying to be helpful.
:cheers:
Marty

[Dafink]

Stupid question, is it bad to store a car in the air when supported by the frame and it the wheels? I can get a good used two post bendpak but it allows the wheels to hang down freely. I imagine this is not good for the suspension


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[RichS]

Since I built the new garage I never readjusted the cables 100%. Then got the 3rd lift and moved it again. It locked in my old garage, but I had to put washers under cable ends. When I park my Lightning under it, it has to be up all the way pulling in. I really should lower it to the locks, but it hasn't dropped a mm in the 17 years I've had it. I do have a bad habit of not always locking it. I know there's always a first time and should stop the bad habit..

How long have you had your BB? Have you noticed it being slower going up or down then it was new? I wonder if there is a screen or strainer in one of the lines that's blocked up a little. I use the heck out of my lifts and not just for storage. I try to oil all the pulleys and check the cables at least once a year.

[QB93Z]

I am very happy with my BendPack HD9.

Jim

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Since I built the new garage I never readjusted the cables 100%. Then got the 3rd lift and moved it again. It locked in my old garage, but I had to put washers under cable ends. When I park my Lightning under it, it has to be up all the way pulling in. I really should lower it to the locks, but it hasn't dropped a mm in the 17 years I've had it. I do have a bad habit of not always locking it. I know there's always a first time and should stop the bad habit..

How long have you had your BB? Have you noticed it being slower going up or down then it was new? I wonder if there is a screen or strainer in one of the lines that's blocked up a little. I use the heck out of my lifts and not just for storage. I try to oil all the pulleys and check the cables at least once a year.

Rich,
Both lifts are 10 years old. the Autolifters is the same high height as the BYB, but is wider and longer, and carries a heavier load rating.
My lifts are mostly used for storage. Likely not cycled more than 10 times a year. I have no degradation of the speed, other than I went with 110 instead of 220, so mine are slow to begin with, which I actually now prefer, as it gives me added time to make sure all is correct, unlike the time I lowered it on the corner of my roof cart and screwed up the wheel.

I have forced myself into the habit of mechanically locking it by lowering it onto the locks. A good habit to have. However, doing this causes the cables to slacken a bit when not used often, so I have to remember to start it slowly to make sure nothing gets out of its track.
So I guess I substitute one problem for another.

I do believe you could hit any post with a car, and not have failure, as both are very strong.

The locks on both could likely support a semi with ease.

p.s. nice garage!!!

:cheers:
Marty

[ghlkal]

I have a BendPak which I'm very happy with. (Are you looking for a 2 or 4 post lift?) Any certified lift should work just fine. I've had mine for 9 years and no issues whatsoever. Last year I had an independent inspector come out to look at it. He said that thing will last for 100 years. There are more expensive "commercial" lifts available, but I use mine 50 times a year, and not 50 times a week, so a "home" lift is just fine.

Should you store a car on a two post lift? I don't know and I've read too many conflicting reports. I don't store mine on it, though..http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u331/NaturalCowgirl/ZR-1/Zonlift2843.jpg