4 post lift vs. 2 post lift. Pros and Cons.

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Work on my own stuff mainly. Hopefully help some others out that could use it occasionally. It would make things easier for me. My back and other parts are wearing down like a lot of us old farts and I want to extend the time I have to keep working on cars. I don't have to do anything for a living any more. Sooo..... I just wanna have some fun. Lol

Ok, more for work. That's a 2 post. 4 post is more about storage. That would make my decision "RIGHT THERE".
 
Two post if you work on stuff four post for storage.

I bought my Weaver 9k two post used around 1995. It has a floor plate since the original owner had a low being in his shop. Not an issue at all.

I realize everyone has a budget but I would never buy a cheap Chicom lift. Buy a good quality USA lift and you will have it forever.

My old Weaver is fab'd from 3/4 and 1" steel. You won't see that in a $1500.00 lift. I paid $1800.00 for mine.

As far as concrete goes if the posts have a large pad, and you use 1" concrete fasteners, you can be safe with 4" of concrete.
 
I have to disagree with the storage comment. depending on shop size,and distance from door you are limited. 10 foot overhead door in my shop opens 10 feet into garage,raised car limits how far door can be opened. I guess with a car on the hoist it may be different. My truck with a topper on the back i cant open shop door fully.

If you have never used either, i strongly suggest you go somewhere that has a two post and set up your car on it.

then drive it onto a 4 post.
See what’s easier.

another point to mention, customer brought in his mustang for some work.

drove it onto hoist and lifted it.
Called customer to come in and see the damage a 2 post lift caused. Both torque boxes were crushed.

muffler shop buckled both front fenders on a buddy’s 64 fairlane lifting it on a 2 post.

Lifted a big ford ragtop on a two post once. Got it a couple inches off the floor and set it down. Door jamb gaps opened way too much for my liking.

it all comes down to preference, type of work, space available and budget.
Other than lifting a body off a car, there is nothing i cant accomplish with my 4 post. Since when do you lift a body off a mopar a-body anyway?
 
You can disagree and that's cool. The fact is that cars don't need to be stored long term with the suspension unloaded. Period.
 
I love my 4 post

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I would bet the torque boxes were crushed with a floor jack, not a 2 post lift.
I know for a fact it was a 2 post. Can see where the flip up pad extensions made the creases.
Standing under a car, to set up the air jack for removing wheels its easy to pay attention to avoid damage.
 
I’ve seen so much damage over the years from 2 post lifts, usually the idiot operator.
Still these cars get fragile over the years, and try explaining that to the customer after the fact?
Nothing like a flipped over pickup in the bay.
Or the concrete ripped out of the ground from a pitiful installation.
I’ve had 2 vehicles on this lift safely and could pull another underneath.
2 post are nice to work off of at times, but you do stupid **** to get the job done, and that gets dangerous fast. Loading the suspension to do a shock or strut job, keeping barrels around to set the vehicle weight on to do some trivial job, and risk the techs life or customers vehicle.
 
Used the transmission jack to raise front end of my Fargo yesterday so i could get front axle under the leaf springs.
I must say it was very stable.
It was on jack stands under cab, i more or less transferred weight to the back.wouldnt think twice about doing it again.
 
Used the transmission jack to raise front end of my Fargo yesterday so i could get front axle under the leaf springs.
I must say it was very stable.
It was on jack stands under cab, i more or less transferred weight to the back.wouldnt think twice about doing it again.
What’s a Fartgo?
 
Don’t trans jacks usually have about a 500lb rating? I thinks that’s all my junk is rated to.
 
Don’t trans jacks usually have about a 500lb rating? I thinks that’s all my junk is rated to.
1100. Wouldnt trust it with a transmission that heavy though.
 
Used the transmission jack to raise front end of my Fargo yesterday so i could get front axle under the leaf springs.
I must say it was very stable.
It was on jack stands under cab, i more or less transferred weight to the back.wouldnt think twice about doing it again.
While it was on your 4 post lift? Just trying to think of different ways to use mine.
 
I know for a fact it was a 2 post. Can see where the flip up pad extensions made the creases.
Standing under a car, to set up the air jack for removing wheels its easy to pay attention to avoid damage.

ok, I stand corrected. I lifted thousands of cars in my years at the dealer. even as an oil changer never damaged 1 with a 2 post lift.
I think that goes back to the common sense portion of the debate. either way this debate could/can/will go on forever. much like the this oil/spark plug/ect is better than that. All have their pro's n con's
 
Dangit boy! Do the lights dim when you pick up one of those? lol
It goes down quicker than up!
I’ve picked up some triaxle dump trucks. Some I can’t.
It still will usually get the job done, as it has two 15,000 pound Rolling air jacks.
The Hunter lift is way overbuilt, probably about as heavy as the Bendpack lift, but due to the open front I think it’s rated 14,000
Snapped a cable on it a few years ago with a new Prius on it. Not only did the safety locks catch it, another set of safety locks engaged when the cable snapped. Double safety locks.
Called a wrecker service and backed his rollback up to the lift so the customer could get his car.
 
I had already decided on a 4-post... accessibility not as good, but it'll never tip over and crush me like those poor guys in the Rolls video :eek: It's been in the crate in the barn for 2 or 3 years now... and I finally have the money for the concrete floor which I need first :)
 
Thinking about a car lift but not sure which way to go. Cost, size, capabilities and safety are all factors. what do you like or dislike about yours. How did delivery and installation go. Looking to get my dream purchase right the first time. As always I trust FABO members input. Thanks much, Steve
I have a 2 post. Buddy has 3 4-posts, and swears by them. Bro-in-law has a new shop and looking into which lift. My feelings after all this, 2-post is cheaper, most things are easier on a 2 post. You have to get on your knees to set the arms. 2-posts are not portable, plan on loosing some shop space. 4-post with the nice air jack options are more costly. They are portable with the wheel kits, easier to put a vehicle in the air. Put take up more shop space meaning their foot-print. I do put a car on mine and store one underneath when necessary.
 
I have a 2 post. Buddy has 3 4-posts, and swears by them. Bro-in-law has a new shop and looking into which lift. My feelings after all this, 2-post is cheaper, most things are easier on a 2 post. You have to get on your knees to set the arms. 2-posts are not portable, plan on loosing some shop space. 4-post with the nice air jack options are more costly. They are portable with the wheel kits, easier to put a vehicle in the air. Put take up more shop space meaning their foot-print. I do put a car on mine and store one underneath when necessary.
Thanks and welcome to FABO from Minnesota. Great group of people here.
Steve
 
The 2 post takes a little effort to set the lift arms. But it has a much smaller footprint than a 4 post. Think about every time you need to walk across the shop. You have to walk around the 4post, especially if there's a car on it. A 2 post doesn't have a cross beam up front like the 4 post does. Could get in the way pulling an engine. 2 post are cheaper, due to less material to make one. I bought a Bendpak 10K 2 post about ten years ago. no issues yet. those tall screw jacks a good to have the safety factor.
 
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