2 Post Car Lift

[wbdeford]

I want to buy a 2 post car lift that can handle an X-frame (58 SDV).  Many I've run across don't seem to have arms long enough to reach the recommended lift points, which are 25" apart in front and 46" apart in back, with 63" in between front and rear.

I saw an old post from 2016 showing an 57 Eldorado Seville on one, but it didn't mention the brand.

Anyone have a brand and model to recommend?

[Bob Kielar]

I have a Max Jack they have a website. It is a portable lift that you can unbolt from the floor and wheel it away. I have used it on my 55 Fleetwood,Ford F150,and my 2000 Mustang. The one thing I do when doing a big project like total exhaust I put stabilizing screw jacks up to the frame like the jacks you see on the t.v. car shows.

Keep Cruzin,
Bob Kielar

[wbdeford]

It would be a lot simpler if I had a 55

On the portable....can you put multiple holes in your floor to bolt it at different distances for different cars?  If so, how far apart do they have to be?

[Dave Shepherd]

Some of the better 2 post lifts have adjustable  arms, that can be extended, just do some research, careful though, as the arms extend there is additional load on the lift.

[wbdeford]

They all extend.  Some of them seem like they are just barely long enough.  But the specs have some ambiguity, such as in how far apart the front and rear hinge points are.

I'm hoping someone else has one for an X-frame Cadillac that can confirm that, yes, it does work.

[TJ Hopland]

Maybe this is where an asymmetric vs symmetric lift design makes a bigger difference?   Asymmetric I think is most common these days I assume because most vehicles tend to be front heavy so that is the shorter arm side? 

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

A friend just installed a lift in his new garage for their Mopars. I can get the specifics for you
if you'd like.

[wbdeford]

Thanks, Cape Cod Fleetwood....thing is, my Mopar (58 Plymouth) will be easy because it has a perimeter frame.

[wbdeford]

Maybe this is where an asymmetric vs symmetric lift design makes a bigger difference?   Asymmetric I think is most common these days I assume because most vehicles tend to be front heavy so that is the shorter arm side? 

I'd like asymmetric if it works and is safe, but the problem is still the length of the arms.  They generally rate the front and rear arms for the same weights....for example, a 9000 lb lift at 2250 lbs each.

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Thanks, Cape Cod Fleetwood....thing is, my Mopar (58 Plymouth) will be easy because it has a perimeter frame.

So what you actually need is information from the manufacturer of the lift as regards lifting your particular car.
You just have to pick a manufacturer. Do you want the 411 on the lift I pictured, you can call and talk to them.

[wbdeford]

So what you actually need is information from the manufacturer of the lift as regards lifting your particular car.
You just have to pick a manufacturer. Do you want the 411 on the lift I pictured, you can call and talk to them.

Sure, if you can give me the manufacturer and model your friend has, that would be great!

I've talked to several companies and the sales people generally don't have the hands-on experience and knowledge to be much help.  There are some that are portable (variable distance between posts) which would work, but I'd rather have fixed posts if I can.  The lengths are never long enough to instill confidence that they will work.  Even if the lengths are just barely such that they will work.

Still hoping that there is someone who put an X-frame on a 2 post lift

[TJ Hopland]

I'd like asymmetric if it works and is safe, but the problem is still the length of the arms.  They generally rate the front and rear arms for the same weights....for example, a 9000 lb lift at 2250 lbs each.

I think the reason is more for keeping the whole thing in balance being that its only a 2 post.  I would assume ideally you would want the posts to be located so that it would stay up even if it wasn't bolted down.  More weight in the front of the car so shorter arms in the front keeping the weight closer to the post vs the rear that is further out but lighter.  It can make a difference on how easy it is to open the doors too.

I would guess getting a heavier duty lift would get you longer arms just because a heavier lift would need more versatility.  I have used lifts but never really shopped for one since I have never had the height or concrete for one.  Make sure you get the concrete part right, seen lots of pics of tipped over lifts and cracks. 

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Sure, if you can give me the manufacturer and model your friend has, that would be great!

I just reached out to him on Messenger, when he gets back to me, I'll get back to you.
The manufacturers have their list of installers in different areas. The installer will tell
what modifications, if any, need to be made to the floor. Crucial to talk to the manufacturer(s)
FIRST to see which one offers a lift that will suit your needs. I'll get back to you...

[wbdeford]

Yes, I am building the garage with the lift specs in mind.  There will be thicker concrete where the posts will go.

As I understand it, car manufacturer recommendations for lift points are based on the center of gravity of the car.  The major selling point of asymmetric is that the car doors are much easier to open with the posts farther forward.

I think the reason is more for keeping the whole thing in balance being that its only a 2 post.  I would assume ideally you would want the posts to be located so that it would stay up even if it wasn't bolted down.  More weight in the front of the car so shorter arms in the front keeping the weight closer to the post vs the rear that is further out but lighter.  It can make a difference on how easy it is to open the doors too.

I would guess getting a heavier duty lift would get you longer arms just because a heavier lift would need more versatility.  I have used lifts but never really shopped for one since I have never had the height or concrete for one.  Make sure you get the concrete part right, seen lots of pics of tipped over lifts and cracks.

[wbdeford]

Thanks!

I just reached out to him on Messenger, when he gets back to me, I'll get back to you.
The manufacturers have their list of installers in different areas. The installer will tell
what modifications, if any, need to be made to the floor. Crucial to talk to the manufacturer(s)
FIRST to see which one offers a lift that will suit your needs. I'll get back to you...

[Cape Cod Fleetwood]

Thanks!

Life at the speed of FACEBOOK...
That lift is a "Universal 2 post lift with over head brace".

[wbdeford]

Interesting!  I was talking to one of their people last week about their portable one.  A few minutes a go, I fired off a question to her about how close together I could have different sets of holes in the concrete.

Life at the speed of FACEBOOK...
That lift is a "Universal 2 post lift with over head brace".

[35-709]

A 4 post with bottle jacks to lift a portion of the car clear of the ramps won't work?
 
I have a 2 poster by ROTARY and have put many different vehicles up on it but don't remember lifting any perimeter frames off hand.
 
A neighbor has a 4 poster with optional wheels, he can move it around his shop easily if he wants and doesn't have to worry as much about concrete thickness or balance.  With optional bottle jacks and supports he can lift the car off the ramps on one or both sides to do brake work, change tires, etc.  With my 2 post, I still have to get on the floor to place the arms at each corner, then get down again to swing the arms back out.  A rod or stick with a hook on it helps but doesn't always do the job.  At 80 I can still do it, but it gets more difficult as time goes on.  With the 4 poster one just drives the car on.  I many end of with a 4 post one of these days.
Geoff N.

[wbdeford]

I am setting up the garage with space for a 2 post on 1 side and a 4 post on the other side.  Yes, I could do that, but would rather not have to.

A 4 post with bottle jacks to lift a portion of the car clear of the ramps won't work?
 
I have a 2 poster by ROTARY and have put many different vehicles up on it but don't remember lifting any perimeter frames off hand.
 
A neighbor has a 4 poster with optional wheels, he can move it around his shop easily if he wants and doesn't have to worry as much about concrete thickness or balance.  With optional bottle jacks and supports he can lift the car off the ramps on one or both sides to do brake work, change tires, etc.  With my 2 post, I still have to get on the floor to place the arms at each corner, then get down again to swing the arms back out.  A rod or stick with a hook on it helps but doesn't always do the job.  At 80 I can still do it, but it gets more difficult as time goes on.  With the 4 poster one just drives the car on.  I many end of with a 4 post one of these days.
Geoff N.

[Clewisiii]

At my work this is our small lift we use for YouTube videos. Bendpak gave it to us as a sponsorship. 


The arms have a large range of adjustability.

FYI what I actually do for work now is tear apart cars and figure out how much they cost. Mostly I do interiors but we calculate every piece of stamped metal for it's material and process cost.  Very interesting work. I do not make or sell anything but information now.

I cannot wait to get z Cadillac Lyriq on the lift and tear it apart.