2 Post Lift Suggestions

[charger426]

Mine only came with risers.

Might be able to put the screw style pucks for your lift. Doubt they are all that unique but Greg smith equipment doesn’t sell the separate as a “part” for their lifts. I think I use just the screw for the from set of pads and a short extension in the back.

 

[charger426]

What you can do, if you must, is lift the car a foot, then use jackstands to hold it up while you lower the lift then add risers. If you do that properly, you can gain enough added clearance under the vehicle to walk freely, jump, or even force the vehicle through the ceiling.

The best “accessory” I ever bought for my 2 post is a set of race ramp wheel stands. They are very strong while being super lite. Let’s you use a 2 post for front end would be an easy quick stopping point for doing what you just laid out to get some extra height when lifting a car...will probably end up doing that when I change the coolant on the viper this fall so I get out of the way of an antifreeze shower.

 

[CodyS]

I put a 10k rotary in my shop about 5 years ago, glad I spent the money on it and on the USA steel model. If I had to do it again I would go with an in floor rotary. The posts do get in the way.

 

[69valiant21]

I put a 10k rotary in my shop about 5 years ago, glad I spent the money on it and on the USA steel model. If I had to do it again I would go with an in floor rotary. The posts do get in the way.

Get in the way of working on the vehicle or they clutter up the shop?

 

[CodyS]

Get in the way of working on the vehicle or they clutter up the shop?

A little bit of both. You definitely have more more working space in your shop with an in floor list. It is much easier to pull a vehicle over the hoist area to work under the hood even if you are not planning on lifting it, with an in floor lift. Since you have not started building yet I would try to squeeze it into the budget.

 

[CodyS]

I don't know where you live, but if you live in a cold state and have to heat your shop I would look into in floor heat. I am very glad I did. Makes your shop much more comfortable and the floor is the warmest and not the coldest. My dad does not have in floor heat im his shop and his floor is always cold and makes my feet cold when I work in his shop in the dead of winter, and his floor sweats in the spring when it warms up and the humidity is high.

 

[69valiant21]

I don't know where you live, but if you live in a cold state and have to heat your shop I would look into in floor heat. I am very glad I did. Makes your shop much more comfortable and the floor is the warmest and not the coldest. My dad does not have in floor heat and his floor is always cold and makes my feet cold when I work in his shop in the dead of winter, and his floor sweats in the spring when it warms up gas and the humidity is high.

Definitely planning on in floor hear.

 

[black954]

I have the same Atlas 10K lift you are referring to and I bought it from Greg Smith equipment. I called a lift company to have them install it and they said that Bendpak and Atlas are essentially the same lift with different paint. I was a former BMW master tech as well as a Ford tech and have worked mostly from Rotary lifts. I agree they are the best and well worth the money. I just couldn't possibly justify that huge expense difference when it came to buying the lift for my home garage. I will say I am overly happy with the Atlas lift I bought. I opted to install the lift by myself and it wasn't difficult at all. Also, I'm 6'4" and I can easily stand under my Dart as well as my Sierra 2500HD crew cab 4x4. I like the symmetrical lifts as well because they give you a lot more options on where you lift the vehicles from as the short arms extend out pretty far.

 

[black954]

Here’s a few pics

 

[6PakBee]

I don't know where you live, but if you live in a cold state and have to heat your shop I would look into in floor heat. I am very glad I did. Makes your shop much more comfortable and the floor is the warmest and not the coldest. My dad does not have in floor heat im his shop and his floor is always cold and makes my feet cold when I work in his shop in the dead of winter, and his floor sweats in the spring when it warms up and the humidity is high.

Best thing I ever did. The previous floor was removed and the floor heat installed.

 

[65Val]

I have a 9000# Atlas that I bought from a widow several years ago. The heaviest thing I lift is my 14 Ram crew cab truck. It works great but I have one complaint. I'm 5' 10" tall and it doesn't raise my Dart high enough for me to stand straight up under it. If the car didn't sit low I could use the risers and lift it high enough.

So in addition to the good advice already given I'd make sure that the lift arms go high enough to walk under them. This way yo will be able to stand straight up under anything you put on it.

That assumes you have the ceiling height for full height lift.

 

[justinp61]

That assumes you have the ceiling height for full height lift.

Yes, I have 12'.

 

[65Val]

Yes, I have 12'.

Lucky...I have 10'

 

[charger426]

I have 14’ and the lift is just below that, like I have only a few inches between the lift and ceiling.

 

[black954]

Same here, I have 13’6” just above the uprights on my life and there’s like 3/4” from touching.

 

[gregcon]

No way is 10' enough. I have 12' and I've never had any issue, but a full size pickup will come within 4" of hitting. Only Tattoo could stand up under a car lifted under a 10' ceiling.

 

[6PakBee]

I have about 13'-6" at the peak and actually had to locate my lift to get maximum clearance. With a B-body on it at maximum lift the clearance will be about 2" at the closest point, that being the roof at the top of the windshield.

 

[65Val]

No way is 10' enough. I have 12' and I've never had any issue, but a full size pickup will come within 4" of hitting. Only Tattoo could stand up under a car lifted under a 10' ceiling.

Yes, I know, but that's as tall that my municipality would let me build my garage. I guess i could sit on one of those roll-around seats under the car.

 

[charger426]

Yes, I know, but that's as tall that my municipality would let me build my garage. I guess i could sit on one of those roll-around seats under the car.

So your roof is capped at 10’ or the ceiling? Generally it’s the roof line so you could go with a different truss design and can some more height inside the garage.

 

[LO23M8B]

The mohawk is by far the best if you want/can spend the cash. Rotary and bend pack are good also but if you ever look at a mohawk that's the one you will always want and wish you bought. I have a 9000lb model and I would lift a 9000 pound vehicle in a minute. My friend had a 9000lb lift and I helped him on his 69 SS396 and I thought (him also) it might fold up. Really if you can afford it get the Mohawk.

 

[furyus2]

I have a Bend Pak 10k. Works great. Get a clear floor, and asymmetrical arms. Makes it easier to open the doors.

 

[65Val]

So your roof is capped at 10’ or the ceiling? Generally it’s the roof line so you could go with a different truss design and can some more height inside the garage.

It's the ceiling height. Roof peak is 14'. I had thought about replacing 2 or 3 trusses with center cut-out ones for more height. I have this style now...

Was thinking of going to this style...

 

[JoePole1]

I purchased a used Benwil asymmetrical 9k 2 post about 8 years ago and I store my B-body on it in the winter. I also use it often to work on my friend's and family vehicles including full sized QC 1500 pick-ups. It has worked flawlessly. I have 13' 3" ceiling. Not sure if you are considering used but I found a local guy who replaces lifts in businesses, refurbs the old and sells them.
got mine for $1500 installed without electric. Check with your local shops for contacts.

 

[Krooser]

I bought my used Weaver from a buddy who was downsizing his operation.

The Weaver I have is operated by two 4" diameter rams and 3" wide leaf chains...not a cable in sight.

Plus it's fabricated from 3/4 and 1" thick steel...heavy duty.

I got some help with disassembly and reassembled it in a couple hours. Don't be afraid to do it yourself.

 

[volaredon]

Dont discount Craigslist as a source. I bought my Weaver there, one of the last Weavers made before Rotary bought them out. Mine is built like a brick $#!thouse, very heavy plate. huge floor mount plates. 9000lb capacity. makes tehse newer Atlas, etc ones look like they are made of paper by comparison.
An older Challenger or Rotary woule be a great choice, not keen on newer ones besides Mohawk, if I was buying new that would be the only one I would want.
and yeah 10' isnt enough, I wound up headering off my ceiling joists in my garage and opening up a section of ceiling so I cam get full lift.
but even though I couldnt stand up and walk under most vehicles when I was locked in with a 10' ceiling it was still better than working off of stands. I have a rollaround stool that I could do most things sittiing upright on the stool while "landlocked" by the 10' ceiling.