Hot Rods 4 Post vs 2 Post

I have seen 2 post lifts that are movable, so you don't have to bolt them down. Not real sure how that works.

 

Check with the manufacturer before locking in on a particular brand and model.

Many, including my Bendpak two post, if I recall, aren’t rated for outdoor installations.

The motors and electronics like wiring and micro switches aren’t all weather tolerant or certified, the cables may or may not be marine grade stainless, and the hoses may not be UV tolerant .

Undoubtedly there are units designed for outdoor use, as you see them in California and the Southwest plus the Southern states, but I imagine there’s a price to pay.

I’m also not naive enough to believe everyone follows the manufacturers wishes and local codes.

 

The pictures I’ve seen include rails running longitudinally to counteract the moment arm from a car in the air.

 

Many four post lifts come with a jacking tray that runs rail to rail between the ramps on a lip. The better ones have wheels, but most just slide. A hydraulic bottle jack and jack stands can lift the car so the wheels can be removed.

The next step up includes sliding pads and a hydraulic hand pump, and the ultimate includes an integrated pneumatic pump.

All in ascending order of price.

 

The bridge rolls on the inside rails of the ramps where the car sits on. It is used to lift the car by the frame so you can remove wheels or suspension parts. See picture below, posted earlier, of a hand pump bridge. The air over hydraulic ones are much easier to use.

 

Okay, I can visualize it now!
Thanks

 

I have the one pictured. Yes, it's a bit more work to pump it under the car, but for infrequent hobby use I find it to be the perfect solution. No bringing air hoses over, works fine on my cars even with 3" of ground clearance, and just sits and waits for the next time it needs to be in service.

 

My panic story: I was in Van Nuys in the early '70's for the NHRA February races when the earthquake hit. Later that day, we went to another shop and they had a '57 Chevy junior stocker on a two post lift with a '57 Corvette sitting behind the lift. The Chevy above was almost falling off the lift onto the Corvette. We hand steadied the Chevy above while others moved the Corvette to a safe spot. Then, we steadied the Chevy while someone lowered the lift. Probably the last time he left a car on the two post overnight!!!

 

Each design of lift has it advantages and disadvantages I chose a four post. When I designed my shop I vaulted the ceiling in the area where I wanted the four post, I have hydronic heat in the floor and did not want to pre plan the exact location of the lift so bolting down either a two or four post was not in the plan. I purchased a tall four post with a bridge jack that so far does everything I want. I also used it to lift the body of my avatar on and off my rotisserie without a second set of hands. The four post and the 4’x 92” motorcycle lift are two pieces of equipment that I have no regrets purchasing.

 

I bought an Advantage 4 post about a year ago, and I could not be happier. I have also spent many hours under a 2 post. Unless you really do a lot of brake and suspension work, I would recommend the 4 post all day long.

 

I feel a 4 post would be the best choice for all around use; on the other hand, a 2 post would be called for if you are primarily doing brake, tire, suspension, and oil change work out of your garage.

I'd bet there are far more 4 post lifts in home shops as compared to 2 posts.

 

Thanks everyone! Really appreciate such great feedback and information. Apologies for not jumping in earlier, just wanted a wide range of views, which I got! For what I will primarily use it for will purchase a 4 post but with the tray style jack. That sounds like the best of both worlds, especially as Im about to turn 60 and am building my workshop to see me out. Thanks again.

 

Pretty sure they still need be bolted down but they can be unbolted and moved out of the way when not in use. MaxJax is a well known one that can do that.

 

For a long time we just used a bridge tray along with some bottle jacks on my friends lift. Later he picked up a couple trays with built in jacks. While they were good and the built in locks were handy, I liked the bottle jack & jack stand combination. Once on the stands the tray could be slid out of the way.

 

@Budget36
picture, thousand words.
If you have seen an alignment rack, they are used there too.

 

I saw a guy on youtube who used a airbag lift that looks like a great option just to lift before placing jack stands.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iNEsxlJjSAs

 

@panhead_pete before you get dazzled by all the options in the world, see what's available and affordable in your neck of the rising sun.
Beautiful stuff from Germany doesn't do me much good in BFE, unless it's sold and serviced here.

Fabrication of stuff can get ideas from all over. On a hoist, it's what you can buy, plug in and use.

 

Cheers, all over it. Will be buying new here in Japan.

 

One both lifts pay attention to placement ,
I put my door on the triangle side of shop , Mistake !!
I should of put door & 3 or four more down side & lift close to wall with 3-4 feet of p***ing between post it would of free up another 20 X 40 feet of 2nd over head level .

I have a few different size air bags ,
Make sure you have a regulator and inflate slow

 

Mike now that is something I never thought of living here in NY.

Pat

 

Random thought for the morning. Any time you are working on any lift, be cautious when using any kind of pry bar while working over your head. I have seen several cars came crashing down off a 2 post lift when someone (not me luckily) got carried away prying on something. It doesn’t take as much as you think.

 

One thing I would suggest is that if you are putting in a 4 post lift is to install it yourself rather than having it installed. Even though I was 79 at the time, I installed my own 4 post lift when the installer finked out on me. My 74 year old friend and I did it over several 3-4 hours days. The only piece of "special" equipment we needed was my "cherry-picker".

It was the best thing I ever did, because I now understand completely how it works and how to adjust it to keep it in tip-top shape. I bought a cheap lift, but have complete confidence in it because I understand exactly how it works. Last week, for example, I was raising my Corvette on it. While going up, I heard a double "click" when the safety latches reset on the way up. I knew exactly what was going on and a turn or two on one of the lift cables set things right. (This can happen as the cables stretch over time.)

I highly recommend it for those purchasing these things. I have no experience with 2 post lifts, but I expect it would be more complicated if any concrete work were required.

 

Keep in mind when you use a 4 post you have to lift it about 2 inches higher than where it rests on the locks in order to release it to lower it down.

 

Since you are in Japan, that earthquake thing is a strong push toward a 4 post. Many in less active areas don't even bolt the 4 post down, preferring the ability to move to suit. In your case if possible, I'd suggest as @tubman says ***emble yourself, that's what I did. Shuffle it around and make sure it's exactly where it's best.
Then either have pros anchor it or research what's the standard there and DIY.
I have heard it's different over there, people aren't going to Home Depot or Lowe's for the weekend DIY project. Heck, they may not even offer the lift casters for a 4 post there.

 

My 4 post is not bolted down, but where I have it in Wisconsin, I have never heard of an earthquake. Japan just had one and many people have died or were injured. I wish the best for all those injured and the survivors. I would defiantly bolt one down if I lived there, or anywhere that had earthquakes.

 

Here’s a set of jacks on marketplace for $500. They would likely need some work to make it fit a given lift but this is what I was planning on doing.



https://www.facebook.com/share/1BZrmAji95/?mibextid=wwXIfr

 

Old school, totally impractical in today's automotive universe!

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I have used that type of lift, and scared the hell out of myself several times. No thanks.

 

I remember those things, especially when they stick on the way down and then drop an inch or two.

 

The dairy I worked at in the mid '70's had a single post one. It would barely lift a Divco milk truck. Always placed a pipe under it just in case. Then when you let the lift down you removed the "safety pipe" and had to wiggle the truck it to get it to start down. If you didn't there would be a delay and then it would drop several inches all at once. Not a good feeling.