Thinking about a Direct lift for garage

[priobe]

Hello All,

I am hoping someone with a 4 post lift can help me shed some light on this project. I have a 2 car garage that 20 x 20 x 10.5. I could possibly modify the ceiling to allow the rollbar and windshield to pass thru the trust if needed. I rather not make the modification to the ceiling but based on the feedback I will decide. Here are some questions:

1. I would first like to know if it is workth the purchase.

2. Do you feel like the lift has given you more room to work on the Cobra or the unit has been in the way of some projects.

3. Are you able to work on the car from underneath or is space limited.

4. Do you find that you use the lift often

5. Are you able to park a car underneath or have the wife park underneath. Is the post wide enough

Thanks

[mdmull]

I have had one for three years. My answers in order
1. Definitely
2. Not more room but much easier to work on - in particular the underside (duh). I bulit my car before I had the lift, them my wife's car after & having the lift was a real benefit
3. Yes Keep in mind that the items you are working on are a little higher than the runners. I have a little taller ceiling and can lift the car high enough to make it tough to reach some items. Of course the runners do get in the way some and you need to jack up the car to remove wheels.
4. Use it every day - my car is parked under & my wife's car in on the lift.
5. Most cars will fit under - big suvs and/or pickups will not. Width is not a problem, watch the mirrors backing out.

MM

[khansmith]

I have seen threads on the board about the "best lift" available but I am sure glad you asked about lift logistics through these optics. I have almost the same dimensions and have been wrestling with the same questions. I would like to piggy back on the above questions with these additional questions:
1.) Is it better to have a roll type garage door or does the "run across the ceiling" work too (obviously subtracting height)
2.) Opening potential can of worms: For this size of garage, any manufacturers stand out?

[CobraDan]

They just had a thread over at ffcobra last week about the pros and cons of a 2 post verses a 4 post. A 2 post was liked when working on wheels etc., but nothing could be stored underneath; where as a 4 post was purchased just for that reason 2 cars parked in the normal area of only one. The all liked what they had purchased and said it was a good investment. My buddy has 4, 4 post lifts in his garage just to help store his cars.

[priobe]

Thank for the responses.

I have seen some that go for $1895 (Direct Lift) and others for alot more. Is there any cons to this unit compared to the other expense ones.

[Bill Wells]

there have been several threads on the same topic . one that i saved was :

http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56143

the posts/discussion on that thread should be helpful to you .

mine are still without failures or problems , as I had posted on the referenced thread. Bill.

[buckthorne]

Regarding ceiling clearance, I had a contractor put a laminated beam across the garage to new posts at each side, sister on rafters to the top of the trusses, then remove the truss structure. Solved the head room problem.
You definately have to pay attention to the overhead door clearance. If you have a wide door and you center the lift, there's no problem when the door is closed. Be careful when it's open....
I have a 4 post 12,000lb unit (2 post units make me a little nervous, but that's just me). Makes it REAL EASY to change the oil and clean the undercarrage......Let alone everything else you'll need to access under a car/truck/etc.
Access is good. To deal with tires, etc. some companies make a bridge to go between the rails for bottle jacks. I would recommend this with the lift.
If you are going to work on cars, I highly recommend the purchase.
I installed mine myself. However, if you do not have equipment to handle very heavy things (800-1000lb +-) you might consider hiring a professional to do the install. You will also need 4" of uncracked concrete in the floor, to bolt the thing to.
I bought a Bend-Pak unit out of Northern Tool. I like it just fine.

[priobe]

Buckthorne you have PM

[Calicoco]

If you have a Goodguys coming to your area soon, go there and take a look at them. They usually have show specials plus if you time it right, they don't usually like to pack up the displays. My friend got a few more hundred dollars off by buying the show sample right at the end of the show.

[Austin_Snake]

Originally Posted by priobe

Hello All,

I am hoping someone with a 4 post lift can help me shed some light on this project. I have a 2 car garage that 20 x 20 x 10.5. I could possibly modify the ceiling to allow the rollbar and windshield to pass thru the trust if needed. I rather not make the modification to the ceiling but based on the feedback I will decide. Here are some questions:

1. I would first like to know if it is workth the purchase.

2. Do you feel like the lift has given you more room to work on the Cobra or the unit has been in the way of some projects.

3. Are you able to work on the car from underneath or is space limited.

4. Do you find that you use the lift often

5. Are you able to park a car underneath or have the wife park underneath. Is the post wide enough

Thanks

1. One of the best purchases I have ever made for my car hobby. I have had my 4 post lift since 1995 and it has worked flawlessly. The brand I have is from: http://www.stingerlifts.com/
I was able to uncrate the parts at the trucking company and fit it all in my Suburban to get it home. If you can change a water pump you can put one of these together so save the "Professionals Assembly" money and buy beer for your friends. I did not bolt mine to the floor. There is an option for wheels you put on temporarily that are kind of cool. You can roll it outside and pressure spray etc. I just would not move it with the car on it though.

2/3/4. Nothing beats popping the car up in the air and sitting on a bar stool to work under the car. When going to a show it is so easy to wax the sills, polish wheels etc in the standing position. Way easier on the back. My creeper collects dust now days.
Someone mentioned the Jacking Bridge. That is a must have. With a small floor jack sitting in it and you can easily raise part of the car if necessary. another cool thing is I have marks on the floor to position 4 jack stands (after raising the car) and then lower the lift and have the tires all suspended for doing brakes or a tire change for the track. I can go on and on with its versatility.
The space underneath it when working is limited by how high your ceiling is. My first garage had a very high ceiling so the only thing to worry about was hitting a car with the garage door. Most of the time I backed in the car I had on top as the bonnet was lower than the rear of the car. When it was high enough to be hit I wold lock to door to prevent an accidental opening and f'ed up paint. Where I live now I put it in a free standing garage in the rear of my house. The ceiling was too low for my liking so I cut some trusses and boxed in a rectangular opening to clear the car. A side benefit of this was I got some tire storage space in the area to the sides of the rectangle. I did this myself so note it was not on my garage built into the house. Before I would consider that I'd have a stuctural guy look at it first. so far the shop has not collapesed.

5. That will all depend on the cars on the lift and how high you can go. I park a couple of my low cars using the lift with the least used on top. If you are going to do this I suggest buying what was called at Stinger a "diaper". It is a pvc tube frame with some material stretched on it (removable) that will prevent the upper car from dripping on the lower one. That is pretty important.
I don't see any reason the wifes car would not fit between the post of most of the lifts on the market (unless she drives a dually :-) But you might be better off taking the lift spots for youself and let her have the "normal" space in the garage. You do have to get out of the bottom car and not raise up to soon or you will hit your head.

Just so you know I look at all the designs and felt the 4 poster the best for me. I did not like my suspension hanging or having to bolt it to the floor.

One thing to rememer though and you can read the different links on the net for this: you get what you pay for. Personally I would stear clear of anything from overseas. OK I have rambled along enough here. Good luck with the lift.

Later,
Richard

[mike knight]

I built a 3 car garage and put in two lifts on each end. In the pics you can see the slope of the roof and the door as it is raised. There are a number of considerations that come into play. I have found only one jack shaft lift that will operate safely and not cause problems with unspooling the cables etc. In retrospect I would probably have gone with the wider lift as I have a couple of land yachts, 68' buick wildcat convert for example, that fills the lift width wise. It makes for some very interesting car jockeying which brings up another point. My garage is on an alley so when backing into the garage with the larger cars the angle on first approach is too sharp to clear the inside post.... as I said it makes for some interesting car jockeying. This is all mute with cars like the cobra but I mention it for the purpose of other large vehicles like a full sized suv. I am very satisfied with the overall increase in storage space. I will post more pics if my garage has any interest to ya.

[Chaplin]

Mike-
Please do post more pics of the garage. A new detached 3-car with lifts is on my wish list of things to build- would love to see pics and hear what the dimensions are, etc.

Tnx

[anchor2]

I have a direct life with a 10.0 foot ceiling. After getting the garage door as close as possible to the ceiling the Roll bar make it without any ceiling modification. I have a SPF. good luck

[priobe]

Richard,

Thank you for the response very informative.

Mike,

I would to see more pics also.

Anchor2

Are you able to park a car underneath with that height?

Also, I just found out that my ceiling is 9.5 probably not enough room.

I really cant mod the ceiling the wife will kill me.

[jwoodard]

If you want it bad enough you can mod the ceiling and the wife won't be unhappy. I have an 9 1/2 foot ceiling and with the mod can park either one of our other 2 cars under the lift.



Mine is a Direct lift and I love it. Once you have one you'll wonder how you ever worked on your car without a lift.

[hey,littlecobra]

Directlift, worth every penny.

10' ceiling. acceptable clearance with either convertible mustang or cobra on top. Not sure if it would clear the garage door if the Mustang was a hardtop, though. Would have to have the door rails moved/modified. Have not tried it with the 500 under or over. too chicken!!!

Suburban lives outside, anyway.

Now I could actually put another one in, side by side, but it would be pretty tight. The first few times you drive under it, it is a little un-nerving, but certainly you get over it. It comes with two drip trays (I think) and I ordered two more. (well those old Fords do drip )

I can switch cars within 5 minutes or so, with installing the drive up ramps taking a whole two minutes or so from where i store them and drag them to the lift. They are heavy, but I can handle it.

I am sure there are other brands, but Directlift is the only one I called.

The company i used (Derek Weaver out of Ft. Worth) was the distributor, and that company has an install company they recommend. Two guys came out, and for $400 they took slightly over two hours to assemble and install it. Again, worth every penny to me. I think 2-3 gear heads could do it, but it'd take hours, i'm sure.

good luck!



ps. I like how Jim Woodard has the cutout in his garage, but my boys room is over the garage/kitchen so i don't think they'd appreciate a 'bump' in their room.
kristen

edit to add: I think the 500 could go under the convert. pretty easily; the convertible makes the '65 really workable. The rollbar on the Cobra has about 5" clearance with the '65 underneath, so i don't think it would work over the 500. Maybe if i pulled it all the way forward. All scary options!!!

oh, another photo, different angle. Didn't touch the garage door or make any mods. Just had the lift installed and left it there.
you can see how close the rollbar is, but it's not too bad.

[priobe]

Jwoodard,

Did you have to touch the truss or is that between the truss. That is a sweet set up. That will work for me

[jwoodard]

Priobe,

The openings for the windshield and roll bar are between the truss. The lift fits in the garage far enough forward or towards the house that the garage door misses the back of the Cobra by a few inches.

[priobe]

Jwoodard,

Are you using the Pro Park 7 or 8? Also if you dont mine I woud like to get some measurements from you to compare. Wow that is a sweet setup.

I sent you an email

[Kramer]

priobe,

I had researched the subject of a lift for a long time before i made a choice and I encourage you to do the same to find the lift that is right for you. i agree with an early note to check out some shows to get a feel for the different types of materials / construction. (another site you may want to research is www.garagejournal.com..do a search on lifts). Check your garage dimensions twice before you purchase (front, back and & height at both ends).

You can check my gallery out, but at the end of day I choose a lift with the collar over the piller design. There are others that may want to discuss the merits of different companies, however in the end get the best you can affort b/c your prize ride will be on it and you will be under it

PS...I love the lift...I would also suggest you get some type of jackstands...I have two and jack up my car, put the stands on the pads(while on the lift) to do my wheel work at shoulder height...can't imagine doing it any other way.

Good Luck.

Kramer