TomF

I am considering a 4-post lift for storage and service. I cannot expand my garage past its existing 2 bays, since I am on the beach, so the storage would be really helpful. I can expand upwards, however!

I would use the lift for service regularly as well. The question I have is: what are the limitations of a 4-poster?

Is it possible to drop and engine and transmission with a 4-post lift? Does anyone have experience with this? I recognize that brake and suspension work is more cumbersome with a 4-post.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!

bkjwhipple

oh, your on the beach and can't expand? thats terrible.. i'll tell you what... I'll trade you so you dont have that problem... . ;-)

aj986s

I have a 4-post lift, and its been a great resource! Get a hydraulic jacking bridge, and you can easily lift one end or the other to work on wheels/brakes/suspension. The center between the ramps is basically wide open. Most engine/tranny workl should be servicable from underneath, unless you get a lift that's very narrow. IIRC, the standard width between ramps is around 37 inches. Great for storage, easy to get on and off, and IMHO, less risk than if working on a 2-poster. Plus the ramps are handy for placing tools/parts while working on the car.

FWIW, my garage is a bit tight, and when the lift isn't fully up or down, getting around/under the lift can be annoying. But that's a function of my garage layout.

Remember you'll need air compressor to operate the safety locks and jacking bridge. 220V would be better than 120V. Many 4-posters also have a wheel kit available which would allow you to roll the entire lift, as long as air & electric cables reach.

Steven C.

Here is mine. It is great for storage(although the top car doesn't get out much) but not so great for working on cars especially if you do not have much room on each side of it, like mine. I also measured to see if my 965's motor would fit between the ramps and it wouldn't so it is at the shop for work right now.

Remember you will have to raise the heigth of the garage door and remove the opener for the type that runs on the spring temsion rod. I have a Chamberlian for this. For 2 911's I needed about 12' so I had to cut a "hat" into the ceiling.

losdeanos

Nice Set up

Steven C.

Thanks Tim!

TomF

I wonder what the minimum width would be for clearance... I think that some of the 4-post lifts have adjustable ramps.

Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

Barn996

Nice set up, nice 911s

Steven C.

I went out and measured and mine is 8' 4" total width. I will say that my ramps are not adjustable and with both the turbo or the 996 on it there is not a lot of spare room on the ramps to keep the tires completely on the ramps. So mine I would not reduce the width of the ramps but you could move them out but it would increase the overall width to more then a one car bay and I do not think they make this? I only have 8" between the lift and the side wall so I had to take the pump off the lift itself and hang it on the wall with uni-strut.

I measured and check and re-measured for a couple of years before pulling the trigger and lucky for once my plan worked. Many questioned if it would including myself?

Thanks!

Dharn55

I think I might be able to afford the lift, but not the second 911. Darn!!! I think I am jealous.

gota911

Maybe I should buy a lift, park the Honda underneath it, and then "accidentally" lower the lift!

Sneaky Pete

I won't tell a soul

Steven C.

Come on over and use mine

Steven C.

While I am showing off here is my other car that lives on the lift.

Sneaky Pete

Have always loved the look of that Alfa. Also reminds me of my old '73 BMW 2002. Traded that car in for an engagement ring 15 years ago..