Who here has a lift at home?

[stateofidleness]

I've convinced my dad to go in on a lift with me (he's got the space for it, im in an apt. )

The only ones I've ever really seen "retail" are at Harbor Freight, and while I trust them for "throw away" socket sets, I don't trust my life to a car above my head on one of their lifts.

I did a quick google and found "Challenger Lifts" and emailed them about the "CL4P9X Home Storage 4 Post Lift" (http://www.challengerlifts.com/CL4P9.shtml) which looks exactly like what I'm looking for.

I'm looking to spend no more than around $2,000, pretty much set on a 4-post (seem safer and can be used free-standing), and I'd like the ability to still be able to take the wheels off while it's on the lift (like the challenger above).

Anyone have lifts at home, or have gone through the same search process? Any tips or hints to watch out for when lift shopping?

Thanks fellas!

[stateofidleness]

Just found this one (although it's a 2 post). Removes doubt about whether it would "work" with the Box

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200386167_200386167

Lifts like this one, do they need to be bolted to the ground? I'd like one that does not require modification of the concrete floor, but these just don't "look" safe...

[MN 986]

Check out gesusa.com for lifts (no affiliation). I bought a BendPak 4 post lift from them a few years ago and it works great. My 3 car garage now holds 4 cars!
The Danmar lifts are a little cheaper and similar quality. Not sure you can get a good 4 post lift for less than $2000, but these guys had lowest pricing and great service for what I was looking for at the time.

[Jager]

Another member of this forum (thank you Paul) turned me on to this company: http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-TD6MR-Portable-Scissor-Lift-p/attd-6mr.htm

[stateofidleness]

oh man! I think I found my lift! http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=XH-PRO8000

I'm assuming you have the scissor lift you linked to?

I'm not even sure how I'd accept delivery of that 4 post lift??? 53' foot trailer delivery means you'll probably have to meet up in a parking lot somewhere with your own trailer (simple enough), but how would I coordinate the transfer from the big rig to the small trailer?

[Cloudsurfer]

Are you desiring a lift for added car storage, or to work on the car? A four post lift is for car storage or for an exhaust shop. If you want to work on the car, you'll find it virtually useless.

Any two post lift needs to be bolted to the floor, and you must have concrete that is of appropriate PSI and thickness. If you want to work on the car, you really want a two post lift, but with a car like a Porsche, you can get away with a scissor lift, but they are useless for any "normal" cars (BMWs, S2000s, Audis, etc) for anything beyond working on the corners of the car, as the scissor mechanism blocks access to the driveline.

[md10835]

Originally Posted by stateofidleness

oh man! I think I found my lift! Atlas Garage Pro 8,000

I'm assuming you have the scissor lift you linked to?

I'm not even sure how I'd accept delivery of that 4 post lift??? 53' foot trailer delivery means you'll probably have to meet up in a parking lot somewhere with your own trailer (simple enough), but how would I coordinate the transfer from the big rig to the small trailer?

my only problem with this type of life, as has been said, is that it's meant for more storage and less up/down action - a lot of boxster jobs involve going under the engine to remove something, then going through the engine bay to get the other line...

additionally, if you need to remove the wheel to do anything it's useless - try to replace the cv boots with that lift.

if you're looking to store the boxster for the winter in your dad's garage, then it seems like a good choice. assuming your dad (or mom) don't mind parking under another car.

[Eric G]

Originally Posted by Jager

Another member of this forum (thank you Paul) turned me on to this company: Atlas TD6MR Portable Scissor Lift

I had this delivered about two months ago. Best damn money I have spent! Love how easy the system works.

[SoK]

Originally Posted by MN 986

Check out gesusa.com for lifts (no affiliation). I bought a BendPak 4 post lift from them a few years ago and it works great. My 3 car garage now holds 4 cars!
The Danmar lifts are a little cheaper and similar quality. Not sure you can get a good 4 post lift for less than $2000, but these guys had lowest pricing and great service for what I was looking for at the time.

Have a pic of your garage? How tall are the cielings?

[MN 986]

Originally Posted by SoK

Have a pic of your garage? How tall are the cielings?

Sorry, I don't have a picture, but my ceilings are 11 ft.

[jrj3rd]

I have a max-jax portable 2 post lift in my garage with 8 1/2 foot ceilings. Love it. Was one of the first buyers and highly recommend it. MaxJax Portable Two Post Lifting System by Dannmar.

[Ghostrider 310]

In one of life's ironies, I had free access to a professional shop including four post lift, every imaginable tool and two young gun ASE mechanics in the next room in case things got hairy. My legs didn't last long enough to go on that 986 repair journey but I would have liked it, in the same room is an old Camaro and an original mini.

[jcb986]

Had mine up on a 2 post Bend-Pak just a few weeks ago. No problem with lifting and working. I would own a scissor lift if at home though.

[rdc8118]

I've got a scissor lift. Beware thought they aren't all equal. the first one i looked at the specs posted on the web said the arms would extend to a maximum 63 inches wide. I measured my boxster and bmw and the lift would do both. When i got it delivered and set up the arms would only extend to a maximum width of 54 inches so I couldn't lift the bmw with it.

When I called and complained they said the specifications were subject to change. I felt I was misled. I bought the unit as opposed to their competitors based on the specifications listed on their website. They did take the unit back and I picked one up from another vendor. Theirs had the same size frame but longer arms and did fit the bmw. Moral of the story: online specifications are worthless and subject to change whenever it benefits the vendor.

[cas951]

I have a typical 2 car garage and do not have much space for a lift. I do most of my own maint-repair on my cars and have been looking for one.

With the space I have I've been eying this one out. EZ CAR LIFT - FREE-STANDING USE-ANYWHERE CAR LIFT! FAST. SAFE. STRONG.EASY.

Wonder if anyone here have tried this. Still undecided.

[san rensho]

Originally Posted by cas951

I have a typical 2 car garage and do not have much space for a lift. I do most of my own maint-repair on my cars and have been looking for one.

With the space I have I've been eying this one out. EZ CAR LIFT - FREE-STANDING USE-ANYWHERE CAR LIFT! FAST. SAFE. STRONG.EASY.

Wonder if anyone here have tried this. Still undecided.

It looks pretty slick, but the maximum height is only 26 inches. Its pretty easy to get 26 inches with just a floor jack and jack stands.

[MN 986]

Delivery at a shipping terminal and a (rental) truck is one option I considered when I got my lift. I ended up having it delivered to my Brother-in-law's business and he brought it over on his car hauling trailer. We opened the package on the trailer and unloaded it piece by piece and set it up.

[jsceash]

I Have the Maxjax I think it is the best investment I've made. Work great on all my cars and truck.

[rp17]

The easy car lift looks kind of awkward. To high for a creeper but not high enough for a chair, or enough height to stand under. Not sure, does anyone own this? Max Jax looks like the way to go. This thread has got me seriously thinking again.

[BugsFerBrains]

…just installed an Atlas Lift, 8,000lb. capacity. Should do the job and then some. Our garage has an eleven foot ceiling, should have done this years ago.