Anyone with Car Lift info?

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franchise

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Ron- WOW! that is pretty darn cool! I will keep it in mind, but really need undercar storage.

Thanks!
R
 

Warren S

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franchise: The variable that's missing is the height of the cars you plan to store. You said your ceiling height is 108".
You plan to get a Viper, but which one (Gen I, II, GTS or?) Need to know the height of that specific car.
Also, need to know the exact height of your 70 Chevelle?

Formula: Take your ceiling height 108", subtract height car #1, subtract height car #2, subtract 6" for the lift rails, and then subtract 4" for "cushion" (for roof to rail car #1 +roof to ceiling car #2). If your calculation comes out positive or zero, then you're okay. If negative, not enough clearance.



I have a Revolution by Rotary 4-post that I purchased back in 2005. My ceiling height is 112". My GTS (height 47") sits on top, the Audi (height 55") at bottom. Minus the 6" for the lift rails and you see that I only have 3" of cushion for my GTS's roof to ceiling and only 1" for the Audi's roof to lift rail. It is very tight.

Also, consider the clearance of your garage door when it's at the up position for clearance of the car that's on the lift. Some extend the garage door rails, but I adjusted the height limiter on the garage door by simply turning a screw on the side panel of the motor. Just another thing to think about...

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a3df27b3127ccef25806cfbbbb00000030O00CZtmzVw3cMQe3nwc/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D720/ry%3D480/


 

Warren S

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franchise: I see you mentioned 54" for one car, I'm guessing that's your 70 Chevelle. My bad for not catching that earlier. At 108" ceiling and one car being 54", that's not much left to fit the second car, maybe a lowered GTS/SRT coupe? The other thing I was thinking of, was, if you plan to get a convertible, you can store that car on the bottom with the top down, back the car in but stop before the windshield, given that you have the length of your garage to cover the front end of the car. Measure your ceiling height again, and again!...from entrance to other end, you sure it's 108"? I'm hoping that you got a little more...

I must have took measurements about a hundred times before I got my lift, just to be absolutely sure.
 

viper_itch

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While it might be possible to jam two cars in there, I'd be worried about the lack of cushion. I have 122" and it is very workable. I have the bottom of the rails at 60" today, far more than I need for the Viper, as 48" is quite doable. The extra height is for ducking under the lift easier. I have the Viper to the back and left so I can work around it over the winter.

The upper car is a '71 TR6, Which usually requires more height than the Viper, but for the winter the top is down. I have a standard opener that was set as tight as possible to the ceiling. Even so, that is costing me 6" because of the rail.

I have the direct lift, from Greg Smith and am quite happy with it. The lift locks are every 6", so you have to factor that into possible heights. Where the first lock is, is adjustable. After that it is every 6" You have to raise the car slightly to relieve the pressure on the locks before lowering. So I have usable locking positions at 48", 54" and 60" for two car storage.

The garage door is set to only open about 60" so that it won't hit the upper car no matter how it is parked. There are limiter switches on most openers for this. If I need to open the door all the way I just manually raise it.
 

AZTVR

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viper_itch & warren S , How are your lifts setup so that you can not accidentally jam your car into the ceiling ? That would be something that I would want a fail-safe for on a low height garage. I'd hate to depend on an electrical limit switch.
 

Warren S

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Jim: I'm counting the locks (or clicks every 6") as it goes up. At the eighth one, I stop. I also have it marked with a contrasting blue tape on the post and rail to tell me where to line them both and stop. Mine's a 115V unit, so it goes up slowly vs. a 220V which would go up twice as fast. But I do get a ladder to check the roof to ceiling clearance just to be sure. Yup, 3" of cushion to the ceiling isn't much.
 

viper_itch

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The is a reason the 71 is on top...

I use a piece of tape to mark the normal stopping point. Just hold the button down until it gets there. I do worry about daydreaming...
 

All Blue ACR

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viper_itch & warren S , How are your lifts setup so that you can not accidentally jam your car into the ceiling ? That would be something that I would want a fail-safe for on a low height garage. I'd hate to depend on an electrical limit switch.
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AZTVR

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Iy sounds like the lift goes up slow enough so that if the switch fails, or the motor control gets stuck ON at the motor, you can run over and pull the plug from the wall. Kids and wife are locked out of it ?

My job regularly involves investigations into causes of electronics failures and determination of corrective action to ensure that it does not happen again. I have seen or heard of very improbable incidents. I will be getting a lift after my upcoming move; so, I will look into it more then, just for my own peace of mind.

PS, All_Blue_ACR: I was wondering how much higher it had to go beyond the final height to account for the locks. That picture tells me that it is significant, and I'm sure that it varies by manufacturer's design.
 

viper_itch

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That's a good tape job... I need to get my act together.

I only have to relieve the pressure on the direct lift... so about 1", though in reality if you try you can release it sooner.

If the switch stuck, you might have a few seconds to yank the cord. 110s move fairly slowly, probably takes 2 seconds per inch. Some have keys to operate them, though that is probably not a common feature.
 

Warren S

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My electrical source is an outlet from the ceiling which I have an extension cord that hangs down to the pump unit. In case if the pump motor ever gets stuck on the "on" position, I can easily yank the plug out. Normally, I keep it unplugged until I need to use it. My "Up" pump button is 66" off the ground and has a flip cover that you can put a small lock on it.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a...mzVw3cMQe3nwc/cC/f=0/ps=50/r=0/rx=720/ry=480/
 
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Warren...yeah...i just dont think I have enough for a cushion. I am looking for a 08-09 Viper Orange Convert. I found the one I want...EVEN has the Brown 2 tone interior & NAV in Sugarland TX, but the guy has all his info listed on the for sale website, BUT NO RESPONSE! just kills me! (let me know if you know anyone looking to get rid of/upgrade to 2013)

Anyway, so with the Chevelle at 54" and viper 48"...add 6" rails...now an insurance claim! JK! there is no cushion! I am talking a 108" solid. another kick in the balls! DARN Builders! why didnt they account for 10"
garage ceiling height !

Buddy just mentioned putting a basement in my garage...like goin down a level. So elevator.... He was talking excavating and doing Span-crete (sp?) ....think it is easier extending the garage. because nothing else is really gonna fly with the subdivision rules...

Thanks guys!
R
 

latamud

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Chevelle at 54" and viper 48"...add 4" (the rails are 4") rails equals 106", still tight with 2" to play with.
 
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latamud....yeah, but how crazy tight is that! BUT

my contractor buddy came by and we did some poking around, ie-cutting the drywall open, and it looks like the builder furred down the ceiling from the joists...AND we can take that down AND GAIN 10 3/4" HOLY COW!!!
(PRESUMABLYof course...but not concerned about moving any electric or HVAC ) SO when the weather changes in a couple months...looks like we will be doing some DEMO! This can be SOO COOL!

georgethedog......No pooing that I know of.....could be other way around....JK

R
 

Warren S

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franchise: What is the length of your garage? Since you were looking to get a convertible, I was thinking you can put the Chevelle on top, and put the convertible with the top down, but back it in and stop before the windshield. The lift could be placed as far back to the garage as possible so that you would have room to get the front end of the convertible to close the garage door. That all depends on the length of your garage if that's possible.
 

Warren S

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franchise: That's great news from your contractor. You will need a minimum of 4" for the "cushion", but the more higher, the better!
 

v10enomous

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Shoulda just bought 2 Ford GT's.. problem solved:dunno: j/k post pics of the demo when it gets going...
 

All Blue ACR

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Iy sounds like the lift goes up slow enough so that if the switch fails, or the motor control gets stuck ON at the motor, you can run over and pull the plug from the wall. Kids and wife are locked out of it ?

PS, All_Blue_ACR: I was wondering how much higher it had to go beyond the final height to account for the locks. That picture tells me that it is significant, and I'm sure that it varies by manufacturer's design.

1 1/2 inches to be exact
tons of room...
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WOW!...ALL blue ACR! god, i cringe looking at that pic! I dont think I have the testicular fortitude to do that!

WarrenS= I will get some of those measurements on the garage, but I want to say it is a true 108 across the board, but thinkg it may be 20' deep.

...I am totally stoked that I could have more "hidden" height! Crazy, I was planning on getting into the ceiling to do more insulation as it is under our master bathroom
whhich gets cold! Looks like I will be doing some reparations in the next couple months!
 

viper_itch

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The cool thing is you only need to raise the ceiling where you need it. That could be a fairly simple project.
 

v10enomous

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I have 12' but only 10' under the beam...

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True...on simple...but why do it half? figure do the whole ceiling for a second lift in the future? haha.....why pigeonhole ourself now....
 

DMACK

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Hey Venom,

I'm looking at a Quality Lift its model #Q4P09H. It's a 9000lb lift. I've looked a number of different brands Bendpak, Rotary... This one seems to have everything I'm looking for but I can't seem to find a lot of info on it. It appears they are a fairly new company but I believe they are aspinoof off of Challenger. The price is good and there's a dealer who can install it for me. My question is how do you like it and did you look at any other brands/models? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. BTW I own a '03 silver SRT.

Thanks
 
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GOtta throw out a huge THANK YOU for all the info guys! Truly dig this club!

Wanted to update...so was getting all the plans together...looking to start the build to heighten the garage ceiling in august...BUT after travels and contemplating...wife and I decided to RELOCATE!!! OMG!!!

We live in the midwest (AWEFUL weather!) and decided that we want better climate, and can ALSO get more for our money elsewhere.... SO NOW my job is to tidy up couple projects on the house and it is gonna go on the market in SPRING! We are excited about texas.... would love to hear if any one live there or has info???

I will post a thread in a few days.

Thanks for the info- I will DEFINITELY be using it to purchase a lift when we reloc!!!

Ron
 

Bonkers

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Just picked up my Atlas Pro from Greg Smith Equipment. Installation took
me and a friend a total of eight hours from the printing of the receipt to
lifting the first car. I could not be happier with it!

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Red Snake

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Just picked up my Atlas Pro from Greg Smith Equipment. Installation took
me and a friend a total of eight hours from the printing of the receipt to
lifting the first car. I could not be happier with it!
Love my Atlas Pro also.

Nice 66!
 

Policy Limits

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My lift is Gen V friendly!!
 

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