Car lifts

[t walgamuth]

I have been considering buying a car lift. I think I'd have to go with a two post but it'll have to be less than 8'-4" high as that is my ceiling height in my garage.

Comments?

Anybody got a used one to sell?

[catmandoo62]

with an 8ft 4in ceiling,your not gonna be able to lift it much,the roof of your car is about 5 ft so you might lift it 3ft if your lucky.

[Maki]

Check out the Kwik-Lift. It's kind of a super car-ramp system that gets you about 20 inches of lift. There's also a crossmember available that lets you raise the car onto jackstands while on the lift. KWIKLIFT - The perfect carlift for your home garage or commercial shop

It's not a lift that lets you work under the car while standing, but I've found that it provides ample space under the car to work on the exhaust, driveline and suspension without any lift arms in the way. And, you can make full use of it with an 8-foot ceiling.

They're out there used if you look long enough ... I got mine for $600. It's rock solid (each ramp assembled probably weighs 250 pounds).

[t walgamuth]

Hmmm good point on the height. But at the moment I'm thinking about working on my race car which is not very tall.....around 40" maybe so lets see, if that is correct I'd not be able to stand under it or at least it would be very close.

I'll have to measure my ceiling and the height of the car and see what I have.

[jplinville]

A great reason to build a taller garage to accommodate a lift if I've ever seen one...LOL

[jplinville]

...

[greazzer]

Tom, check out my prior thread of about a year ago. Tried going down this road. Low ceilings are a killer. Not many "real" options. I invested around 10-12 hours researching and calls to lift guys.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/tech-help/374858-do-they-make-such-car-lift.html

[t walgamuth]

Thanks for the link Mark! Thanks to all who have commented. I'm gonna go measure now.

[jplinville]

My brother recently bought a house north of Dayton, just outside of town. The house has a 2 car attached, and a 2 car detached garage, with one of the bays tall enough for an RV. He said he'd eventually put a 4 poster in...I envy anyone with a garage.

[link]

I looked into something similar a while ago. With a low ceiling the best practical solutions are to either build or buy a suitable ramp, or to get a portable lift that can be used outside.

A mechanic whose skills I use on occasion has a portable lift. They are a bargain as that kind of thing goes, requires assembly, and is weather proof. IIRC it runs on a 20 amp electrical circuit. Danged if I can remember the brand but Mr. Google can help find similar devices.

[kerry]

Why not a pit instead of a lift? Solves the short ceiling problem and there are no mechanical components to maintain.

[t walgamuth]

My garage actually is two levels, with living quarters above that I rent out. There is a precast concrete floor 10" thick on the main level and below it is the same height but has insulation under the slab and pipes for radiant heat (not hooked up yet).

The race car is about 44" high at the roll bar so if I put a recess into my flat truss celling above I think I could get it up high enough to stand under it.

I also am thinking of some fairly elaborate cribbing that I could put a plank between and drop the tailgate of the trailer down onto it and drive the car off onto the raised planks....then remove the plank between the wheels if necessary and leave the car sitting on the cribbing.

This is low tech but would require storing the cribbing and planks when not in use....but a four or two poster lift will take up space too.

[rocky raccoon]

Some jurisdictions do not allow pits. Check your building code.

[t walgamuth]

A pit is not possible for my situation.

[OM617YOTA]

Subscribing to see what comes up!

Lift, up, ugh. Pun not intended.