Hot Rods 4 Post vs 2 Post

The dream .....

 

Damn, I don’t have either. But I’m ready to spend someone else’s money to raise my ceiling, and buy a nice 4 post. Any kind souls here want to help a H.A.M.B.er out?

 

Ya know, seriously, if you were closer

 

A 4 post has its place. But if you could only have one, and it's for a small at home garage, i would go 2 post all day. I have one at home, I work with both at work. Ifall you're going to do is oil changes and other quicky things, A 4 post is great, just drive on and lift. If you're going to do actual work on the car, 2 post for sure. A 2 post can also be used to lift all kinds of other things off the floor, unload things outta your pickup, remove body's off the frame. When they are down with no car, they don't take much floor space. A 4 post, when down and empty, takes up all kinds of floor space. And don't think you're gonna get an engine hoist under the car with that big cross brace in the way. The biggest down fall everyone seems to fall back on is , you have to get on your hands and knees to set the arms, and that is true, but if you're working on a project, chances are it's gonna be there for a while, and if you're still using a floor jack up to this point, you're used to it already. You just won't have to do it as much anymore. Also, constantly ducking under those stupid drive on ramps gets old fast

 

Also. I have an X frame chevy (62 chevy). They can easily be lifted on a 2 post. Their rockers are built more like a uni body car, and can be lifted there

 

One thing about moving up to a lift instead of on the floor with a creeper, there is a whole new set of muscle in your body that will now need to be built up.

 

You can remove a body with a 4 post as well
With high lift jack stands and 2 wooden beams
It’s more steps than a 2 post but still doable.
I’ve pulled more than one engine with a cherry picker on a 4 post. You just simply push the car foward and pick up the lift for the legs to clear.
EZ
The ramps are easily removed if in the way.
Floor space when not in use? It’s just a slightly raised parking area.
Same for a frame bench at work.

 

Lots of valid points for both the 2 post and the 4 post lifts, they each have their pros and cons. The way I see it there is only one clear winner in this debate… get a 3 post lift and you’ll have the best of both worlds

 

The 4 post makes an excellent ch***is set up platform as well.

 

What about the one post lifts with the post only on one side?

 

looks like they make a drive on version also?

 

Yeah, I had not seen the drive on versions until I searched for a photo to attach to my previous post. The one I posted is supposed to be moveable as well. Thats why it has a dolly behind it in the photo.

 

I worked on a off topic truck on one of those. I could say I felt safe, but the work was not very aggressive.

 

If I ever get out of debt, I want a single-post lift, to add to the mix.

 

If you can get them, those are real handy. But it will depend on how your gl***es fit on your face; there isn't always room above. I wanted a pair when I was still working. Being an electrician, I did a ton of overhead work and bending my head back to see 'up close' stuff was a PITA. Alas, no room on mine... And I'm another fan of the no-line bifocals. They do take some getting used to (and not everyone does) but if they work, they're a lot better. Beat the hell out of the trifocals I had at the time.

 

Get a lift with aluminum approach ramps that are removable. They’re relatively light and store easily on the lift.

That’s why I bought the Advantage.

There’s no reason to have to walk around a loweredfour post. Right now my 36 Ford coupe project is sitting on the lift six feet in the air and I’m working beneath it using a HFrolling cart with a piece of plywood on top serving as a temporary bench.

 

There are pit jacks out there, different type for different pits.

 

When you get one just make sure it's a good brand.....safety is key here.

 

I'm looking into a lift now, and have been trying to make up my mind on what type to go with. Both styles have advantages, and it's going to be a tough choice (wish I could afford both!). The difference with my set up is that it will be outside on its own concrete pad, no headroom to worry about. They each have different pad requirements, so I want to be sure on my choice before having the pad poured. This thread comes at a good time for me!

 

When I made the decision on which one, it was mainly based on ease of use and overall safety of teenage boys using it. I chose a 4 post for those reasons and I currently use mine for about everything. The only downside I see is working on anything at the wheels. For that, I just jack it up on top of the lift which hasn't been an issue at all. I would like to buy or build a scissor jack to put in the jack tray at some point instead of throwing a floor jack on the rail or in the tray.

 

That's true but get ready for all your buddies to rib you about having a lift. One of my good buddies who doesn't have the height in his garage for one never misses the opportunity to remind me that only real men lay on their backs and slide under their cars to work on them.

 

I just bolted two 2 ton scissor jacks on a 2x6 piece of wood a few feet apart and can jack it up on either side. And if I need to lift either front or rear on either side the jack tray slides on the ramps on a 4 post.

 

I would not buy a 4 post lift without buying at least one air operated bridge. Makes doing anything with the wheels off soooo much easier. I have one bridge and a rolling jack tray, wish I had 2 bridges.

 

Maybe a dumb question but if someone wanted a 2 post lift and didn't want to bust up the existing concrete. Couldn't you support it from the top of the lift with a beam along the rafter over to a wall.... or something similar?

 

Bust up?
4 inches minimum for a lift
I’ve seen braces to the posts that attach to the roof or wall beams

 

The folks stating two-post lifts can't be used for ride height applications must not be aware of the adapters that are available which saddle the wheels.



My garage ceiling heights preclude the use of either type of lift, but if they did I'd be using a two-post and have a set of these on hand, too.

 

I hear of guys busting up their existing floor for reinforcement for a lift. Its not for the weight as so much for anchoring correct? Instead of anchoring why not just attach to the wall beams as you stated.

 

Has to be floor anchored
The additional bracing is usually done because someone doesn’t trust the floor

 

Thanks, never heard about someone using the upper bracing until now.

 

What’s the purpose of the bridge? I googled them and saw 5500lb capacity ones, but I don’t understand its use.
Thanks.