Carlifts

[ProTouring442]

My dad just ordered one of these:

http://www.rotarylift.com/products/revolution/

Shiny Side Up!
Bill
'72 442 "Inamorata"
www.FQuick.com/ProTouring442

[vintageracer]

As stated earlier, the best type of lift depends on your needs. First, a few questions. Do you have the needed ceiling height for a 2 post, about 12 feet? Is car storage or car work the main need for a lift? If storage is your main need and a 4 post is your desire, will you have to modify the garage door tracks if you buy a 4 post and wish to open the door with a car in the up position? Most times this presents a problem. Measure before purchase as the movement of the garage door tracks is another expense you may forget to consider.

A 2 post is by far the best lift IF service/working on your car is the goal. These lifts are amazing as they also will let you lift engines, remove car bodies, campers, PU beds etc. You can't do that with a 4 post. If "I" have to have only 1 lift, it will be a 2 post. While not as good as a 4 post for car storage, you can store a car on a 2 post lift.

If vehicle storage is the primary goal, buy a 4 post. There are lots of hobbyist 4 post storage lifts available at cheap prices. 4 post lifts are fair at best as far as working/service on a car. I know that there are accesories that can be purchased to aid in working on car however that also ads cost to the lift. The fact that a 4 post can be moved is a nice plus but in reality have you ever met anyone that moved their lift once in was set in its location?

If buying a 2 post lift, look at Rotary (biggest lift supplier in the industry), Challenger and Bend-Pak. All good commercial lift suppliers. Yes, they are a little more expensive than the off-shore imports and they ARE worth the money. Particularly if you wish to sell a used lift. Buy a GOOD piece of equipment once!

If buying a 4 post, your use cycle will be much less since storage is the name of the game so a hobbyist lift will service your needs. Backyard is good as is the Rotary Evolution brand. This is Rotary's hobbyist brand. There are LOTS of parking lifts for $2000 or less. A Rotary or Backyard will add at least $1000to the ticket. Quality costs mo money!

You could look around for a used lift from a local supplier. I looked before I bought my lifts however the price difference installed was only about 1/3 less than new. I bought new commercial quality lifts and could not more pleased.

I have a friend that has a scissors lift. He is in the body shop business and this lift is GREAT for that application, body work. Gets the car up to a nice working height. Other than body work and pressure washing, it versitility is very limited.

I would'nt give 2 cents for those expensive drive-on tracks that raise the car about 18 inches. At $1,000 or more there are much better alternatives.

I recommend you buy locally from a local lift supplier. They will install your lift and provide hometown service IF you ever need it. That's worth extra money to me. While not that difficult to assemble a lift, they are not easy to move when you pick them up at the freight terminal or when they are dropped at your door by the truck line. These damn things are heavy!