If anyone wants to examine and measure an installed 4 post lift to see what clearances are really needed, PM me for an invite. If you have a small garage, suggest you bring some form of masking tape and your garage measurements so we can tape it out on my floor. Offer open only to Rennlist members/users with posting history....must be careful these days.
I'm in downtown TO.
Cheers
Ian

 

Ian, can I ask where you got your lift, and who did the installation? My garage is 102" wide at one spot, just wondering if yours will fit into my garage.

Thanks.

Kevin

 

Kevin
Here's the link http://www.stingerlifts.com/RESIDENTIALMODELS.HTM.
I have the ET model that gives additional height clearance when the lift is raised. Total width required is 116" and I see that they have a kit where the hydraulic pump can be mounted "inside the lift" reducing width by 10". See "F" on this pagehttp://www.stingerlifts.com/OPTIONS.HTM
I would highly recommend an additional clearance space of 30" (standard door opening size) around the entire lift so that you can move freely around lift and car. This is terrific to do tasks like wheel cleaning.
Unfortunately, I can't tell you who installed the lift as it was in situ when we purchased our house. I can tell you that it is of excellent quality and works very well.
Our ceiling height is 10' 6" and I do wish it was 11'. Lift could then be raised to max height and I could walk underneath without ducking. I'm 6'1" and have installed foam pipe insulation around the lift as the contest of steel vs bald head ends up with steel being the winner every time when I forget to duck.
Our Audi A3 fits nicely under the lift, our Toyota Sequoia does not.
Hope this helps
Cheers
Ian

 

Ian; the Stingray is a really nice lift and well made.

Another rennlister suggested I check out ADG. I am planning to visit their warehouse in Mississauga to look at their lifts once the snow is gone.
I am looking at the PP7 lift and considering the sliding jack option. Need to make sure the jack will work on our cars.

http://adgforward.com/directlift/home.htm

 

A friend of mine bought the Bendpak version with those sliding hydraulic lifts. Works great on his 993 and mine as well.

I was thinking of the mississauga based plant as well.

 

Ian, that Stinger lift looks like its very well made. Unfortunately, its 106" wide at the posts, and I only have 102" at one end corner (the rest of the garage is 130"). I've searched all over the net and the only one that fits is the Bendpak narrow lift. I just have to find someone to bring it over.

Kevin

 

Kevin and hpuck
As a further note to side clearance, I noticed this evening that the ramp is 11" in from post, therefore 19" side clearance from post to wall would work fine for access to car. Stiil recommend 30" at rear.
One side effect to having a lift is that you get to see how filthy the underside of your car is. I have spent many pleasant hours with cleaning materials getting rid of various kinds of road/track crud.
Have fun and good luck with your purchases.
Ian

 

Here's a picture of the modification I'm making to mine, I found that when it is wet it is VERY slippery. So far I've only done the beginning of the ramps.

 

Last year I installed the 7000lb lift from Directlift.ca on Divand Drive in Mississauga. It's great. Installed it myself. When I say myself, I mean on my own. They were great to deal with. The structure comes in an integral steel crate. The ramps are part of the crate structure. Weigh 1500lbs. A friend and I picked it up in a trailer.Their forklift operator was really helpful. Once I had it home I worked out how to erect it with just muscle and leverage. Took me about 10 hours. Anybody need any info let me know. I'm in Orangeville if anyone wants to see it.

 

Hey Hienz, what do you think about the quality of the Direct Lift? It gets bashed a fair amount on the various web sites because it is made in China...

 

So far I haven't had any cause to be unhappy with it. The 7000lb unit is light weight but perfectly adequate It's obvious the steel is fabricated in China, I would say the finish quality is pretty good for the price. The hydraulic unit seems to have been added to the crate after the fact so I don't know that it was furnished in China. For someone who uses it to store a car in winter and cycle it maybe once or twice a week for routine maintenance it is excellent value for money. If you are ok with buying stuff from Princess Auto, you'd be ok with this lift.

 

Thanks Heinz! I've seen the Direct lifts discussed on various sites and the comments are always made about it being Chinese. However, I have never heard anyone that owns one complain about the quality etc. Thanks again, mark

 

Same situation here - single garage 110" width. The Bendpak narrow should fit.

Any info concerning the price?

 

I got pricing from the Cdn distributor. The Bendpak narrow lift is $2600 + $400 shipping from B.C. to GTA. Installation is available for another $750 from a local installer. Tax is extra.

PM me if anyone needs more detail. I'm fairly certain I'll be getting one in the summer. Now I need to find someone to raise the track on my garage door.

Kevin

 

You might want to give installing it yourself a try, it takes a while, but it wasn't hard. It's definately worth it for saving $750.