Anyone with Car Lift info?

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Hi Guys,

I am looking to get a car lift put in my garage, but wanted to know if anyone has info on height requirement of the garage ceiling?

I know it depends on the height of the car under, but please send examples...maybe a viper on the bottom, etc.
What combos do you guys have?? AND height of garage ceiling?

Thanks,
Ron
 

latamud

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I think 9 feet is safe minimum depending on your vehicles heights. Take the Viper, mine tops out about 47". My 66 Mustang is 49", plus 4" for the lift rails (you'll need to factor this for the lift you want). I had a tight 100" and my garage is at 115" so I knew I'd clear. I lift the viper just about to touch the ceiling and I can walk under the lift slightly slouching, me at 67".

I have a 3 car garage and I installed three 4-post lifts. Something you also might need to consider is if your garage door will open and slide into the top car. The one lift is almost against the back wall. With my Viper back onto the lift so the hood, or lowest part, was facing the oncoming garage door, the garage door came within mm of touching the bumper. I had a guy come out and we added 18" of rail so the door would open 18" higher. We also added stronger springs, a dummy section of door to the top and raised the opener 18". No more door clearance.

I have a great contact for a lift if you're interested. I was very satisfied with the transaction. They worked delivery around my constantly change home closing dates and my constantly changing deployment dates. All three lifts delivered and assembled in 1 day. I am very happy with them.
 
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Policy Limits

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I have a four post by quality lifts. ALI certified as far as I know. I hear u only need 7' to technically to it but I have 13' so put an extended height in so I can lift my exotic 10 feet in the air. Don't forget to measure width, length obviously too.
 

redtanrt10

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Hi Guys,

I am looking to get a car lift put in my garage, but wanted to know if anyone has info on height requirement of the garage ceiling?

I know it depends on the height of the car under, but please send examples...maybe a viper on the bottom, etc.
What combos do you guys have?? AND height of garage ceiling?

Thanks,
Ron

Ron, a number of threads here on this subject. The obvious is that the garage height must equal the height of the 2 cars plus a few inches for the platform and the lower vehicle clearance. Also check where the garage opener chain drive sits. If it's a 2 car generally not an issue.

The not so obvious is that you garage door needs to only clear the hood or the trunk, not the roof of the top car. See how far back your garage door goes, then see if it will clear the hood of the top car.


When I first got my lift the top car had to be backed in. Later, I had a new opener and tracks installed. Good luck, Mike

garage_5.JPG
 
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FrgMstr

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ALWAYS check CraigsList.org for lifts. Garages are constantly going out of business and moving so finding a deal is easy.
 

AJ02

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I bought a Bendpak 9000 LB 4 post. I have 10' walls but still had to remove the electric door opener. It was only $3000 delivered.
 

lpjr

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I bought a XPR-10A Bendpak 2 post lift. The "A" desigination means that the posts will be set assemetric which allows the doors to be opened easier while on the lift without risk of hitting the posts. 10k lift with 11K max capacity. Will handle 1 ton 4x4 duelley as well at 8000 which is my DD. Leaves 2-3K headroom. No height issues as it is going in my shop {40x80} with 12 ' eave height and 28 foot ridge height. Hope this helps.
 
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franchise

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Thanks guys! I will measure tomorrow but I thinkn I have 9 foot ceilings...already got a 70 chevelle...and hopefully a viper to add to the others.

Merry Xmas!

R
 
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I have 108" of height in the garage to work with...


latamud- yeah, i probably have the same setup...3 car attached garage. Please PM me the contract info.


Mike, Thanks!...yeah, gonna look at how to put in new tracks and make it work. It will be in the 1 car garage side of my 3 car garage...any ideas of how to retrack?

I heard alot about Direct lifts...will look into...


Besides the car heights, and rail height....what other heights is there to worry about? Does it need any additional height to clear the safety locks? like if it is at a certain height, does it have to get higher to clear the
safety lock?....thus needing a little more?

Thanks,
R
 

redtanrt10

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I have 108" of height in the garage to work with...


latamud- yeah, i probably have the same setup...3 car attached garage. Please PM me the contract info.


Mike, Thanks!...yeah, gonna look at how to put in new tracks and make it work. It will be in the 1 car garage side of my 3 car garage...any ideas of how to retrack?

I heard alot about Direct lifts...will look into...


Besides the car heights, and rail height....what other heights is there to worry about? Does it need any additional height to clear the safety locks? like if it is at a certain height, does it have to get higher to clear the
safety lock?....thus needing a little more?

Thanks,
R

I went with a liftmaster "jackshaft" opener. Works from the side, nothing overhead

http://www.liftmaster.com/lmcv2/pages/productmodeldetail.aspx?modelId=436



Then I had the tracks replaced and angled upward. With that liftmaster it will hold the door even though the tracks slope downward. Now I don't have to back the top car in. As I mentioned about the door, you can see in this picture that if it was backed in, I could clear the hood by at least a foot or more




I have a Direct Lift, works great, good pricing. Good luck with your project! Mike
 

MrLighty

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Take a look at Greg Smith Equipment. The sell nice lifts and have great customer service.

+1
Really nice equipment as said above, and great customer service. i traveled to pick mine up to save on shipping
 
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Mike-holy crap! that is close! I may be super tight like you! Got 108" total to work with...other car to store is 54"...so add said viper maybe 48"...not sure I will work....

gonna check on a type of tray ceiling...like other posts...

Will check Greg Smith...thanks!


Merry Christmas!

R
 

georgethedog

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I have a BendPak 4 post lift. My garage is 10 feet high. At first I had my wife's Challenger on the bottom and my 2003 Viper on top. I had a few inches left at the top. When I got my Challenger I had to change the ceiling height. We measured around the Challenger passenger area front to back and side to side to see an approximation of the area we needed (and then added a foot on all sides. We cut out the drywall above the lift about where the Challenger would sit on the lift and added bracing all around with 2x6's and then took out the joists. Then we basically made a trey ceiling out of the hole and took it up about 18 inches added new drywall, painted, and now I have a lot of room. Good luck. But with just the Challenger and Viper 10 feet was enough.
 
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Thanks for all the info and support here!

Unfortunately, I am stuck with the 108"....which we are 90% certain is it....without ripping down the drywall. My contractor said builders use 2x10s in this area, which supports my master bathroom and tub...so to try to tray it or go up a little to resupport hoping to gain 4" is not worth the time, money, or possiblity of weakening the structural integrity of the second story. BUT did say that we could do a very modest garage extension out, possibly gaining a row of 3 more bays and make it height acceptable for lifts. He will let me know what we can do with this, but I will explore this option and see.

Will update later!

R
 

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I didn't read the entire thread but just adding that you need 3" or 4" extra inches above where the rails ultimately settle to ratchet up on the stops for a 4 post lift.
 

jwolf

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I bought a a tire changer from Greg Smith Equipment I broke a plastic guard, they replaced Immediately no problems.
I have a very low ceiling height in my garage so I got had Maxjax, from Summit Racing since it's portable I use it inside and outside.
http://youtu.be/U26v49-F4kc
You can not park another car under it as my ceiling is less than 8 feet so there is only about 40 inch under the Viper's tires.
 
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Thanks guys!

I really need something I can park under. I am pooped that I cannot make it work without lots of other possible issues (structual integrity)

I will look into the garage extension, even though it will cost a bit more, it may be the best long term solution...and add a few more spaces for future purchases!
 
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franchise

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jwolf...WOW! can you please PM me general pricing of what you paid?

Thanks,
R
 

jwolf

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jwolf...WOW! can you please PM me general pricing of what you paid?

Thanks,
R

[]I got it from Wagler Mini Barn Products
(812) 687-77168972 N 550 E, Plainville, IN 47568.
They had barns and sheds setting at the Vincennes Rural King with a sign that said OPEN when you go in there is a brochure and phone number. I called them and ended up driving out to the factory. They are an Amish company. I discussed what I wanted 14x32 by whatever the height I got was is the largest building you can move in Knox county without a permit, counties vary, I think Davis county you could go 16 feet wide. I picked colors and options like full length skylight and wainscot.
I gave them $500 down and they delivered it 16 days later and I paid the balance due of $4034 for a total tax delivery and all of $4534, but that was a 09.
I was responsible to have level ground to set it on. I painted the floor before I used it as it was bare plywood. I had to put a torsion spring electric garage door opener on it do to the way the door goes over the rafters, but other than that no problems. If you are a IN/KY member I can bring a brochure to the next meeting.

It will hold 2 cars no problem.
 
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franchise

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wow! thx so much! great info!

i am in IL....but will b at those meetings...i willl keep u posted if i need more info! i have 1.5 acres,but gotta check subdivision bylaws if ok to have...
 

Ron

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If you are limited by garage floor structure (i.e. not enough concrete depth, mix design "PSI" or proximity of expansion joints) and/or garage width, want wheels free rather than storage, and cost isn't the first concern, the Nussbaum Jumbo NT scissor lift might be the one for you. 4.5" drive over height and 6'7" lift height. Mine is 7,000 lbs capacity (had since 2002) but the newer versions are 9,000 I think. Made in Germany and perfect for my needs.

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