orthojoe

Thanks. Yup. Stacking was more important to me, so I chose 4 post as well. Oil changes are super quick. Get one of these:

mainly

how do they work anyway...

H82BL8

http://www.directlift.com/ceilingCalc.aspx
Here is help for ceiling height

zedcat

Mine is a 2 post asymmetric with the link between the posts overhead, "clear floor" type. I wanted a lift for working on cars and didn't need storage.

Gleek48

Joe-

Where did you get that oil catch can and funnel?

orthojoe

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/18-Gallon-Oil-Drain

reidry

I would tend to recommend the Bendpak lifts given your requirements. Currently I don't see any discounts that put either the 7000 or 9000 lb units within your budget.

I might look around for a used lift from one of the solid brands. At the time I was looking my budget was 2500 installed. I found a used lift from an auto shop that closed. Mine is a Challenger 40efx ALI certified and rated 12000 lbs. Only thing I regret is that this lift raises the lifting platform to only 72" which means the bottom of the runways is low enough to really bang your head. The newer lifts go up to 80, 82 or 85 which leaves 72 or more clear under the runways.

I have had some very peripheral dealings with Greg Smith Equipment and came away neutral on that company. To my knowledge their Atlas lifts seem to have an ok track record but they do not carry an ALI or ELI certification and have not been willing to discuss the factor of safety used in the design.

Ryan

doubleurx

I have the bendpak Sp7x. It sits flush to the concrete when not in use, and lifts about 6' with a 7000 lb rating. It's expensive ($4500), but it is excellent for servicing, and there are no posts in the way. It's very well made. I keep my 964 parked over it when not in use.

silverrules

Thanks everyone. Looks like I have to study the options available some more and may have to cough up more $$ to get the good stuff. Love that oil drain catch and how you stack your cars Joe. You guys rock!!

doubleurx

The oil catch and funnel are a necessity. Makes oil changes a piece of cake.

reidry

+1 a must have once you have a lift.

Ryan

NewtownGT3

Question.....my garage door has the straight tracks like this one. Can those be adjusted at an upward angle to accommodate a taller lift? My garage has 12' ceilings, but the way the door rolls up cuts that down to about 10'. I'm afraid that if I install the lift the door will hit the car when rolling it up.

Anyone know if that can be done & the garage door still operate correctly??

jasonfreed

Yes, I had that done in my garage.

Any competent garage door company can do it.
You tell them you want your door converted to a high lift. (at least I think that's what they called it)

Easy to do, the garage door now hugs the ceiling.

I had a wall mounted opener installed a few years ago to get even more clearance. Prior to the wall mount, all I had was the high lift with the standard opener and it worked just fine.

NewtownGT3

Perfect!! I already have the wall mounted opener/motor, so just need to get the company who installed the door back out for that modification!!

Thanks for the info!!!

jasonfreed

If you have the wall mount, it's really easy because you just need new track.

If you didn't have the wall mount, you need an extra section of garage door for the arm to pull against.

You're good to go with the wall mount.

I think I paid around $800 to convert my door to a high lift but that included a new section of door.