2 post lift....

2 post lift....

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Discussion

TVR Beaver

Original Poster:

2,867 posts

179 months

Monday 27th October 2014
quotequote all
These are getting a bit tempting and would go nice in the garage...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-post-vehicle-car-van-r...

got to be a bargain at that price ??... smile

Could just see the Griff on it (with a new toy under it!)

PeteGriff

1,262 posts

156 months

Monday 27th October 2014
quotequote all
Hi John, I am also looking at lifts at the moment, but was going to wait till I visit the NEC next month to actually see them in the 'flesh'(they have had various suppliers there in previous years). The only minor concern I have re the 2 posters is the fact that you would need a perfect floor to mount them on, if not I have visions of nudging the car and the whole lot toppling over due to pulling out of the concrete!! I am also going to look at the better quality large scissor types, the ones you can work all along the middle and access wheels etc.

TVR Beaver

Original Poster:

2,867 posts

179 months

Monday 27th October 2014
quotequote all
You'll have to update us once you've had a look... my floor is good for a 2 post so should be fine... for me, the attraction has to be that I can get 'another' car under the first one so other types of lifts are of little interest (unless its a real cheap 4 post)... would be good to hear from someone who has one of these wink

mattrosersv

579 posts

229 months

Monday 27th October 2014
quotequote all
I have had a cheap 4 poster for 4 years - looks like this one - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FOUR-POST-PARKING-SERVIC...

I also have a jacking beam which with a four poster is essential.

It get used regularly and I now would not be without it. I have had no problems with it however, you do find instant popularity with the neighbouring car DIYers. It has had some pretty heavy stuff on it with no bother - P38 Range Rover and Cayenne.

I had the same conundrum about 4 post vs 2 post but glad I went with the 4 post in the end particularly for things like setting ride height. The jacking beam is also handy when pulling the gearbox out of the TVR. The trade off is that you don't have quite the same access when doing things like a clutch on a FWD car, or painting the chassis on the TVR. It has never caused me a problem though.

Mine also came with plastic drip trays which is useful when stacking my leaky old cars.

They do come with a set of casters which they say makes the lift mobile. It all looked a bit wobbly to me, mine is bolted firmly to the concrete! The casters came in handy constructing a dolly for the body when I did my chassis.


Pete Mac

755 posts

136 months

Monday 27th October 2014
quotequote all
John

I have a 2 post lift. Wouldn’t be without it, it makes a difficult job relatively easy and it really means you can maintain your car(s) to a much higher standard.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I went for the Automotech AS-6140A 2 post, I never considered a 4 post although I admit there are benefits to each. I would recommend the Automotech and their after sales technical assistance but I bet there are plenty of others around. For my use the 2-post is better than fine and the one I have is a 4 tonne beast although I admit I have never lifted my Disco on it.

It’s good for lifting bodies of chassis single handedly (couldn't use a 4 post lift for that) and you are correct, you can store cars one above the other - it has a safety locking system. It is also marvellous for changing the exhaust manifold gasket, a real bcensoredd of a job. It's also great for general servicing - changing the diff and gearbox oil becomes a relatively straightforward job. Have a look at page 3 of my rebuild thread:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Only thing to watch out for is that you have sufficient headroom to put in the pillars and to lift the cars high enough. I’ve got 3.2m. and I reckon that is a bare minimum.

Good luck mate. Pete

TVR Beaver

Original Poster:

2,867 posts

179 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
quotequote all
Hi Pete... I've got about 2.7 meters so would not be able to stand under the car.. but could do a chair on castors type of device.... but would at least enable another car to go under the first one ... will have a look at the links above wink cheers.. John

mattrosersv

579 posts

229 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
quotequote all
Hi Pete,

I agree there are pros and cons to 2 v 4 post (Tough call, if only my garage was big enough to have both) and I also agree with the value of having a lift in your garage.

Sadly no photos, but I did actually use the 4 poster for lifting the body off my Chimaera single handed. I used a bar at the back tied to the ramps and a piece of 4 x 2 between the wheel arches at the front again tied onto the ramps (with the ramp over the car obviously). It was a pretty simple procedure.

Matt

Pete Mac

755 posts

136 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
quotequote all
mattrosersv said:
Hi Pete,

I agree there are pros and cons to 2 v 4 post (Tough call, if only my garage was big enough to have both) and I also agree with the value of having a lift in your garage.

Sadly no photos, but I did actually use the 4 poster for lifting the body off my Chimaera single handed. I used a bar at the back tied to the ramps and a piece of 4 x 2 between the wheel arches at the front again tied onto the ramps (with the ramp over the car obviously). It was a pretty simple procedure.

Matt
Matt

I think just having a lift, whether it's a 2 or 4 post enables you to do things that you can't without it (or at least it makes it 95% easier). Changing or topping up the diff oil - a right bcensoredd without a lift but with a lift, pop it up there, whip off the exhaust and it is all there in front of you.

John, I just looked on the Automotech site and the lift I have needs 2826mm head height but they (and others) do various scissor lifts - could be an option....!

If you do buy a lift, I strongly recommend you buy a gearbox jack (not just for gearboxes) as well as a waste oil reservoir with a long neck - both well worth the money.

Pete


TVR Beaver

Original Poster:

2,867 posts

179 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
quotequote all
the original one i posted is 2740mm so would fit inbetween the rafters so maybe the best option... you can't beat getting the right tool for the job!.. there is a milling machine going at work right now!.. if I only had the room smile (and 3 phase )

phazed

21,844 posts

203 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
quotequote all
I second the Automech lifts.

They are really helpful and state that all spares are stocked.

I have just over 6ft under mine.



Also useful for other things.


TVR Beaver

Original Poster:

2,867 posts

179 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
quotequote all
I need one!.. was looking at your pic before.. the post don't look that high so would be a good fit for my garage.. smile

phazed

21,844 posts

203 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
quotequote all
I'll measure the height.

I have plenty of room but if and when I have to move the shorter pillars will easier to house.

I've had a Discovery and a twin cab Hilux at full height on mine, (not at the same time).

TVR Beaver

Original Poster:

2,867 posts

179 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
quotequote all
they do sound good.. would have to test drill my base to see how thick it is.. but then I could also tie the uprights into the rafters just to be 100%... yes, shorter the better for me smile

phazed

21,844 posts

203 months

Tuesday 28th October 2014
quotequote all
phazed said:
I second the Automech lifts.

They are really helpful and state that all spares are stocked.

I have just over 6ft under mine.



Also useful for other things.

Pictures are deceptive.

The top of the pillars are 2850mm high!

Pete Mac

755 posts

136 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
TVR Beaver said:
the original one i posted is 2740mm so would fit inbetween the rafters so maybe the best option... you can't beat getting the right tool for the job!.. there is a milling machine going at work right now!.. if I only had the room smile (and 3 phase )
I don't have a 3 phase supply but I could have one put in. Get that milling machine and worry about logistics later........! How much do they want? Pete

Pete Mac

755 posts

136 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
TVR Beaver said:
they do sound good.. would have to test drill my base to see how thick it is.. but then I could also tie the uprights into the rafters just to be 100%... yes, shorter the better for me smile
I got a bit hung up about how secure a 2-post lift was. If you read the net then you start getting the 'doom merchants' talking about Chinese manufactured lifts. I spoke to Automotech who said: "all lifts, including the big boys, are now manufactured in China. It is much more about quality and strength and after sales service". I then got worried about balancing a car on two posts (particularly as my lift sits on two steel beams) and my structural engineer told me not to worry about it as you are only transferring the weight of the vehicle from 4 points (4 wheels) to 2 points and that really was not a big deal.

It's a pity you are so far away otherwise I would give you a demo. If you think the lift bends and groans under load, it doesn't.

Test drill the concrete and if you are unsure then cut out a square and cast in a concrete padstone. You have to be dead accurate with the placing of the posts, there is not a great deal of leeway. Go for it, you won't regret it. Pete

TVR Beaver

Original Poster:

2,867 posts

179 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
OK.. .I've just put in a 1 tonne crane at work with a pad stone and re-bar... 8 holes around a 1 meter base so I know what you mean about being accurate smile

£800 should get you the milling machine ....

Pete Mac

755 posts

136 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
TVR Beaver said:
£800 should get you the milling machine ....
I thought you might want it but tempting, what spec and what size?

I'm going back to Kazakhstan tomorrow to earn some money so a bit difficult to do anything in the next 5 weeks but a nice idea but a long way to transport down to Pangbourne. If it hasn't gone by the time I return then I may take a bit more interest. Pete


Edited by Pete Mac on Thursday 30th October 08:02

stevesprint

1,114 posts

178 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
phazed said:
Phazed
I love your style, do you normally take out the engine without the gearbox and how do you get to the bell housing bolts? Maybe their is more room on a chimmy than a Griff.

Discopotatoes

4,101 posts

220 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
quotequote all
mattrosersv said:
I have had a cheap 4 poster for 4 years - looks like this one - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FOUR-POST-PARKING-SERVIC...

I also have a jacking beam which with a four poster is essential.

It get used regularly and I now would not be without it. I have had no problems with it however, you do find instant popularity with the neighbouring car DIYers. It has had some pretty heavy stuff on it with no bother - P38 Range Rover and Cayenne.

I had the same conundrum about 4 post vs 2 post but glad I went with the 4 post in the end particularly for things like setting ride height. The jacking beam is also handy when pulling the gearbox out of the TVR. The trade off is that you don't have quite the same access when doing things like a clutch on a FWD car, or painting the chassis on the TVR. It has never caused me a problem though.

Mine also came with plastic drip trays which is useful when stacking my leaky old cars.

They do come with a set of casters which they say makes the lift mobile. It all looked a bit wobbly to me, mine is bolted firmly to the concrete! The casters came in handy constructing a dolly for the body when I did my chassis.
I've been looking at these lifts, and wondering which size to get. I have a p38 and a 350z as well as a chim that will need to go on the lift. what size did you go for?