4 Post Lift Recommendation

[julian64]

thecook101 said:

I'm sure we could find numerous threads advocating one or the other, here's one. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... Each to their own I guess but my search a couple years back led me to the conclusion that two posts are better for access, four posts for secure long term storage, add a jacking beam for pretty good access. Also depends on the age and condition of the car to be stored. A quick google image search for 'car storage lift' shows 90% four posts - even though they are more expensive. Must be a reason for that.

I think the reason I commented was that were suggesting a two post lift was dangerous or unsafe for long term storage of a car which in my opinion isn't true.
The big advantage of a ramp lift is that you can just drive on and off and then press a button. Also getting in an out of the car isn't fouled by the post. Its a good deal faster than a two post where you have to park, adjust to get the legs under the right place, and involves kneeling down.

If I didn't have to work on my cars I'd choose four post in a heartbeat. But having had both I wouldn't go back to four post if I had to work on a car. So pretty much echoing everything else you said.

[Mr Nordic]

Hi guys,
I have the SJR Mod 4 which has been great and allows me to work on the car fine although on occasion agree a 2 poster would be nice, my choice as an addition to the 4 post would be a 1 post lift which SJR also sell (instead of a 2 post).
These are mobile, don’t need fixing and spread the load on the floor nicely negating the bolting down as per the 2 post. With a 1 post lift you get the 2 post benefit plus it is moveable.

Edited by Mr Nordic on Friday 26th October 16:29

[FlipFlopGriff]

I've put my planning application in now for a 4 bay garage and plan to have 2 x 4 post lifts (for storage) and a 2 post for working on. Looking at SJR lifts for both. Will let you know how I get on.
FFG

[RichB]

FlipFlopGriff said:

I've put my planning application in now for a 4 bay garage and plan to have 2 x 4 post lifts (for storage) and a 2 post for working on. Looking at SJR lifts for both. Will let you know how I get on.
FFG

So that's 6 cars FFG?

[FlipFlopGriff]

RichB said:

So that's 6 cars FFG?

Actually got 10.5 but some will remain outside. 2 Griffs, Taimar and Moggy convertible going in the garage and space for the new Griff.
FFG

[rigga]

CoolHands said:

As an ex-mechanic can tell you a 2-post lift is much better for working on a car. The ‘MOT ramp’ aka a 4-poster is useless.

2nd on this, far easier to anything on a 2 poster, used to hate having to use the 4 if my ramp was occupied /out of action.

[Tonymg]

Have a Chat to TrackVroad and look at there website look at the back ground in the photos nice guys to chat too they use a lot of 4 posters



Tony

[Tonymg]

Im all so still looking and when iv got time will get a 4 poster will take photos

Tony

[FlipFlopGriff]

CoolHands said:

As an ex-mechanic can tell you a 2-post lift is much better for working on a car. The ‘MOT ramp’ aka a 4-poster is useless.

I'll be using the 4 posters for storage only, one on top of the other, which is why the design has been delayed to ensure the internal space is high enough without being silly and giving the planners something to moan about, plus we're listed which adds further complications.. The 2 poster will be used when I need to do some work on any of them.
FFG

[MikeE]

I'm thinking of buying one of these 4 Post parking lifts to store a Lotus Exile 380 Sport and TVR Griffith (which I'm considering buying)

https://www.automotechservices.co.uk/products/4t36...

While I've got enough space for 3 or 4 cars in the garage I have limited height so have been considering how best to juggle this. I've come to the conclusion the lift should be placed as near to the back wall of the garage as possible with the Exile on top. This then leaves me with 2.15m from the front of the ramp bed to the garage door.

So my question is, I can put the Griffith (with roof down) in frontwards or backwards so less than 2m of the car is under the ramp but I need to know the position os the windscreen (the highest point with the roof down obviously). I know the length, width, height and wheelbase but what I really need to know is the length from the nose to the top of the windscreen, could someone with a Griffith do me a favour and measure this for me please?

Thanks in advance

[BIG DUNC]

I can, I have a busy morning lined up and then friends coming over for lunch. I will do it some time today, hopefully in the morning.

[BIG DUNC]

These are all very approx:-

Horizontal distance from nose to base of screen is 155 cm / 61 inch.

Horizontal distance from nose to top of screen is 206 cm / 81 inch

Height of body at base of screen 81 cm / 31 inch

Horizontal distance from rear plate to back of roof is 74 cm / 29 inches

Height of body at rear of roof is 89 cm 35 inches

Note, even when fully down, the roof sticks up about 5 inch / 13 cm above the body.

I must stress these are very approximate, measured in a rush before going out, but should give you an idea.

[MikeE]

BIG DUNC said:

These are all very approx:-

Horizontal distance from nose to base of screen is 155 cm / 61 inch.

Horizontal distance from nose to top of screen is 206 cm / 81 inch

Height of body at base of screen 81 cm / 31 inch

Horizontal distance from rear plate to back of roof is 74 cm / 29 inches

Height of body at rear of roof is 89 cm 35 inches

Note, even when fully down, the roof sticks up about 5 inch / 13 cm above the body.

I must stress these are very approximate, measured in a rush before going out, but should give you an idea.

Perfect thanks a lot for that Duncan

So plan would be to push it in forwards with the nose going under the Ramp. Front of ramp to garage door is 2.15m so I need to get 1.8m of the nose under the ramp and the Griff nose to top of screen is 2.06m so I have approx 25cm (10”) of horizontal clearance from ramp to screen which should be fine!

[jetbox]

hi,

for those with the SJR lifts, how are they going? tempted to get one my self?

looking at a type 3

Thanks

[FlipFlopGriff]

Not progressed with mine as jobs worth conservation officer said it would impact on the property and recommended a 2 bay even though it would have been 7+ metres away and in the least obstructive position. We have 2 pre fabs so spending £25k ish and getting a slightly larger space isn't stacking up so we've withdrawn our application as it was going to be refused. Going to build a case and resubmit but for a 3 bay, which is the smallest I'm willing to go with. Planning were actually OK so alos going to look at de-listing but suspect this will be 1) drawn out and problematic with no guarantee of success and 2) expensive.
FFG

[Skyedriver]

jetbox said:

hi,

for those with the SJR lifts, how are they going? tempted to get one my self?

looking at a type 3

Thanks

Mind swaying between SJR and Automech, looking for a small one but one thing comes to mind, not the length of the bit the car sits on but the position of the posts as a result. Don't need huge lift as the garage is only 5.4 long and cars inc Caterham and TVR but don't want the post getting in the way of the wheels when I am doing any work although a lot of the time it'll be storage.

[BIG DUNC]

I have a twin busch scissor lift.

I was going to get one of their two posts, but it turned out my garage floor wasn't up to it.

I cannot comment on the two post as I don't own one, but the quality of their scissor lift is A1 and cannot be faulted.

May be worth looking into as they do a range of two posts (&four posts).

[wuckfitracing]

wuckfitracing said:

Fitted my automotech myself, likewise engineer by trade. Bloody heavy on your own but with the help of an engine crane managed it. Hit rebar in the floor and still need to fix another bolt in but its very secure.

Still the best thing in my man cave Ive ever bought. Other than the wood burner because its bloody cold tonight.

[phazed]

Had my Automech two post lift for about three years now. It has been absolutely faultless in operation and invaluable for work on the TVR.

The arms are long enough to support the chassis which made renewing the out rigours easy last year.

The lift gets used almost on a daily basis as my youngest son is a mechanic, he is a workaholic and does a load of private work.

Apart from coping easily with light sports cars it will easily lift a twin cab pick up.



It can also be used for lifting engines out!

Edited by phazed on Friday 25th January 10:23

[Skyedriver]

phazed said:

Had my Automech three post left for about three years now. It has been absolutely faultless in operation and invaluable for work on the TVR.

The arms are long enough to support the chassis which made renewing the out rigours easy last year.

The lift gets used almost on a daily basis as my youngest son is a mechanic, he is a workaholic and does a load of private work.

Apart from coping easily with light sports cars it will easily lift a twin cab pick up.



It can also be used for lifting engines out!

Three post?
Would you consider this suitable for car storage or would you worry too much that it would drop over time.