Autostacker vs. Bendpack
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: MA
Autostacker vs. Bendpack
I'm adding a 3rd garage bay and installing an Autostacker or a Bendpack system for two cars (911 and ?). Does anyone have any experience with one or both of these? I plan to work under the car but do not anticipate engine removal. I appreciate any help/suggestions you can provide.
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Joined: Sep 2015
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From: Fairfield County, CT
So when you say Autostacker do you mean something like an A6S or A6W and when you say a Bendpak do you mean a 4 post lift like an HD7-P?
If so, here's my experience: the Autostacker is no good for working on cars. It is a parking/storage lift -- you can't even really see under the car for diagnosis purposes.
The Bendpak 4 post is moderately useful for working on cars. You can't take the wheels off, but you can remove the plastic drip trays and get to things under the car (e.g. exhaust work, or shifter linkage, or a fuel pump).
BUT, the Bendpak requires ramps, and you will likely need to put those on and take them off every time you use the lift (with some models if you have a lot of depth you can keep the ramps on, just don't hit your head on them!)
Not needing ramps makes it a lot easier/faster to use the top car with the Autostacker, plus the solid deck means its easier to line the car up.
So the Autostacker is better for storing two cars you use often... except that it's harder to open the door of the lower car due to the scissor of the Autostacker vs the 4 post setup of the Bendpak.
This is resolved if you have enough depth to park the lower car only half under the Autostacker, or if you have enough height to raise the Autostacker to its highest setting.
Personally, my long term plan is to have an Autostacker for storage and a 2 post lift for working on cars. If you have space for both, I think that's the best of both worlds. The 4-post is a compromise.
If so, here's my experience: the Autostacker is no good for working on cars. It is a parking/storage lift -- you can't even really see under the car for diagnosis purposes.
The Bendpak 4 post is moderately useful for working on cars. You can't take the wheels off, but you can remove the plastic drip trays and get to things under the car (e.g. exhaust work, or shifter linkage, or a fuel pump).
BUT, the Bendpak requires ramps, and you will likely need to put those on and take them off every time you use the lift (with some models if you have a lot of depth you can keep the ramps on, just don't hit your head on them!)
Not needing ramps makes it a lot easier/faster to use the top car with the Autostacker, plus the solid deck means its easier to line the car up.
So the Autostacker is better for storing two cars you use often... except that it's harder to open the door of the lower car due to the scissor of the Autostacker vs the 4 post setup of the Bendpak.
This is resolved if you have enough depth to park the lower car only half under the Autostacker, or if you have enough height to raise the Autostacker to its highest setting.
Personally, my long term plan is to have an Autostacker for storage and a 2 post lift for working on cars. If you have space for both, I think that's the best of both worlds. The 4-post is a compromise.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 680
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I have this in my garage and couldn't be happier.
https://allautomotiveequipmentsupply...-short-runways
If you want one, the person to talk to is Kristi.
kristi@allautomotiveequipmentsupply.com
Quick service, been available after the fact.
https://allautomotiveequipmentsupply...-short-runways
If you want one, the person to talk to is Kristi.
kristi@allautomotiveequipmentsupply.com
Quick service, been available after the fact.
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 161
Likes: 2
From: MA
garage lift
I have this in my garage and couldn't be happier.
https://allautomotiveequipmentsupply...-short-runways
If you want one, the person to talk to is Kristi.
kristi@allautomotiveequipmentsupply.com
Quick service, been available after the fact.
https://allautomotiveequipmentsupply...-short-runways
If you want one, the person to talk to is Kristi.
kristi@allautomotiveequipmentsupply.com
Quick service, been available after the fact.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 30
Likes: 11
From: Vegas
Thank you very much. This looks very good. I'll give Kristi a call. I'm wondering about the difference between the X1 and the one you suggested - NSS8. Do you guys own the rolling bridge jack? Did you install it yourself or have someone do it? (The last picture for the NSS8 sequence might be the look in my garage
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 680
Likes: 90
same here. Installer delivered it and installed. was a bargain of a price for work that would have taken me way longer. I don't have the bridge jack. But regret not ordering it. Tell Kristi I sent her to you, and maybe I'll get one at a discount.
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Nordschleife Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,815
Likes: 6,461
From: Back 0 Beyond
I have the BendPak asymmetrical Two post lift and it is great!
If you are starting a third bay from scratch and can add height and thicker floor, consider a fully functional lift that allows you perform all mechanical tasks and to get in and out of the cars doors without banging them into the posts. Highly recommend.
Notes.
Small footprint.
Takes significant headroom.
Fully unweights the cars suspension - so with a car like a 928 the suspension has to settle before the car will look right.
Allows storage under a stacked car.
Professional instillation recommended with a minimum of 6" of reenforced concrete (I went 10" in both garages).
If you are starting a third bay from scratch and can add height and thicker floor, consider a fully functional lift that allows you perform all mechanical tasks and to get in and out of the cars doors without banging them into the posts. Highly recommend.
Notes.
Small footprint.
Takes significant headroom.
Fully unweights the cars suspension - so with a car like a 928 the suspension has to settle before the car will look right.
Allows storage under a stacked car.
Professional instillation recommended with a minimum of 6" of reenforced concrete (I went 10" in both garages).
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 812
Likes: 413
From: DFW
I have this in my garage and couldn't be happier.
https://allautomotiveequipmentsupply...-short-runways
If you want one, the person to talk to is Kristi.
kristi@allautomotiveequipmentsupply.com
Quick service, been available after the fact.
https://allautomotiveequipmentsupply...-short-runways
If you want one, the person to talk to is Kristi.
kristi@allautomotiveequipmentsupply.com
Quick service, been available after the fact.
Do you have any issues with the classic? I see its only 141inches (runway). So alot of the car hangs over the front / rear, do you have a pic of the front?
Does the bumper clear the wheel stops okay?
Are the ramps low enough or do you need boards?
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 680
Likes: 90
Good call. I forgot I did this. With my low cars, they would have touched the wheels stops. So I took them to a shop and had an inch chopped off them. The ramps were plenty low for my cars. But clearly what your car how low matters.
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 161
Likes: 2
From: MA
I have this in my garage and couldn't be happier.
https://allautomotiveequipmentsupply...-short-runways
If you want one, the person to talk to is Kristi.
kristi@allautomotiveequipmentsupply.com
Quick service, been available after the fact.
https://allautomotiveequipmentsupply...-short-runways
If you want one, the person to talk to is Kristi.
kristi@allautomotiveequipmentsupply.com
Quick service, been available after the fact.
Track Day
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 23
Likes: 30
From: MA
I pulled the trigger on a 4-post BendPak HD-9 last year. Wanted both top/bottom winter storage, as well as ability to work on cars. So went with rolling jacks too. HD-9 was a good size for my garage, and runway width is adjustable and should leave room for engine drop on early 911. Installed it myself, feeling confident enough after speaking with someone else who did the same. Not too bad and a good way to get more familiar with it all. Regarding ramps, I bought a pair of lightweight Race Ramps (RR-Rack-5) that are far easier to deal with. No regrets all around. (I went direct though Arnold Nunez at BendPak, who was great to deal with.)
Good luck with whatever direction you decide on.
Good luck with whatever direction you decide on.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 812
Likes: 413
From: DFW
Depending on how low you are, these might impact the bumper prior to the wheel... which is especially challenging on the classic (short) version of the triumph lift since its only 141in long (meaning you are guaranteed to have the cars bumpers overhang).
I was looking at this lift and another similarly sized (Amgo 407-P), but am pretty concerned that it will just be too short for comfort (putting a lowered 964 / BMW 2002 up there, maybe another 991 in the future).
I think ill likely get the NSS-8, as it should fit fine in my 20x20.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 32
Likes: 10
From: Washington State
Lift
About a year ago I purchased a four post lift for car storage and the joy of not laying on the ground adjusting valves on the 964 snd 356.
I searched a lot and bought one from https://www.wildfirelifts.com/. They have the same construction as https://www.advantagelifts.com but based on the position of the locks it worked with my 93 ceiling height and the cars I store on and under.
The construction is very good and the design with the horizontals encircling the posts makes it very stable and incredibly secure.
With the value of the cars on and under it made sense to buy the best.
delivery and support from wildfire was great and assemble was quite simple. It goes up and down regularly and has been perfect.
I do wish I would have bought the rolling jack but I can always add it. Currently just use individual air jacks which an economical option.
Good luck the decision.
Brad
I searched a lot and bought one from https://www.wildfirelifts.com/. They have the same construction as https://www.advantagelifts.com but based on the position of the locks it worked with my 93 ceiling height and the cars I store on and under.
The construction is very good and the design with the horizontals encircling the posts makes it very stable and incredibly secure.
With the value of the cars on and under it made sense to buy the best.
delivery and support from wildfire was great and assemble was quite simple. It goes up and down regularly and has been perfect.
I do wish I would have bought the rolling jack but I can always add it. Currently just use individual air jacks which an economical option.
Good luck the decision.
Brad
