ApexCars

I'm planning on buying a lift in the future but can't decide whether to get a 2 post or four post.

With the 2 post, I can work on anything including brakes, wheels and suspension. They take up less room but are not moveable and it takes more effort to get the car in the air. (ie. positioning arms and possibly having to jack the car up to get the arms under it.)

4 post - Have to get jack trays to lift the car up off the rack to work on wheels, brakes and suspension. Jack trays are expensive. Take up more room but can be mounted on casters and moved around so I could even drag it outside, lift the car and then wash it and get the undercarriage really clean. Much easier to get the car in the air.

I'm having a shop built so I can accomodate either but unfortunatley can't justify both.

Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated.

Dr. Dynamics

Apexcars,

I definetly recommend the 2 post jack. I admit it is a real pain to get those things under lowered cars, but it's worth it. Even if you get the adapters to work on the suspension with the four post, it will not be as comfortable since you still have the rail under the car's supension (you'll have to be dodging under the rail from side to side when for example working on brakes).

With the 2 post, the car is COMPLETELY clean under without nothing disturbing. The one I use is on a home garage, so we're working on some steps for the car to park on in order to lift it a little.

Great buy man!

bearone

most shops i seen and dealt with use the 2 post.

87951

Chris White

2 post asymmetric.

kasturbo

Why not just add a drain so that you can wash it inside?

Sam Lin

Depends on your reason for the lift. If it's to work on cars, then get the 2-post. If its to store cars, then get the 4-post.

Sam

Rick

I have a 4-post lift w/ dual jacks in my garage...I can get to any part of the car and do anything I need including brakes, wheels, supension, drive train, etc... I like the fact that it isn't permanently mounted in my garage in case I move. In fact, the entire lift has casters so I've actually moved it into my driveway...lifted my car and power washed the underside of my cars.

ApexCars

The purpose is to work on the car. The reason for not having a floor drain is that I will be on a septic system and I don't think it will handle the grease and oil well. That may not be a problem, I don't know because I haven't dealt with septic before. I like the idea of building up something to drive onto to raise the car enough for the arms.

Rick, do you have the jack trays that you add the bottle jacks to or do you have the rolling jack trays with built in hydraulic jacks?

azmi951

My thoughts are that the 4 poster is used to do suspension work that has to have the vehicles wheels loaded. The 2 poster has much more flexablity/access.
My dad is building a shop right now and I recomended to have a front end alighnment type pit installed. The type with ramps that are supported by columbs. That way you can just drive onto it and get to one of the ends with the suspension loaded. It is fast and VERY useful, we had one at a shop I worked at.
http://www.hunter.com/pub/product/racks/3057T/4802T.htm like this but shorter
http://www.hunter.com/pub/product/racks/index.htm It looks like there is nothing you can not do with a 2 poster that you can not with a 4.

User 41221

I have a four post lift and love it, but if its not needed to provide storage, as well as working on cars, I'd suggest going with the two post. You will enjoy the lift, no matter how many posts you get!

Regards,

PorscheDoc

If you have the ceiling clearance, and are using the lift for more working than for storage, without a doubt go with a 2 post lift.

f1rocks

Definitely 2 post for me. Considered both but liked the ability to have none or all wheels on the car while it's lifted.

ApexCars

Ok, sounds like the 2 posts have it.

jacklet

grease trap for the septic-as far as lifts i have a 2 post asymetric and a four post drive on-the 2 post gets used the most

SoloRacer

I have a 4 post with a locking subframe. Drive the car on the hoist. Lift it up. Lock the subframe and lower the hoist a few inches. Bingo! The tires can come off and I can work on whatever I like.