4 post lift options

[gtotto]

I have a Backyard Buddy 4 post which works great. Now, in a perfect world I would have 3 different types of lifts in my shop but since I have only one in my garage, I went with a 4 post. I believe 2 and 4 posts both have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on what project your'e working on. The lift I have is a 110 volt which is nice since it can be plugged in anywhere and I didn't need to run a 220 circuit to feed it. Also I did not need to secure it to the concrete floor so if ever I move or need to change the configuration of my work space I can move the lift fairly easily. Whatever lift you do decide on should at least be of a " better quality" since your life could truly depend on it.

my .02

[BonzoHansen]

In my experience:

4-post = storage, alignments, maybe oil changes and such.
2-post = work lift.

There are exceptions to both, but that is my general experience.

So if your pal is buying for mainly for storage go 4 post. I'd not store a car by hanging it in midair.

[GregWeld]

The funny part about this entire thread -- the OP asked specifically for STORAGE....

LOL

But it has been fun lobbing a grenade in here once in awhile... and reading what everyone feels is the best kind of lift.

[clill]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

They sure beat a creaper. Let's say you are swapping lower control arms or a complete rear end. The jacks like Charley pictured really get in the way for anthing but an alignment. For a novice that does very little large projects, then I agree that the 4 post is probably best.

I don't understand. I just took these pics. I'm going to be playing with the sway bar. I don't see where I couldn't swap out control arms or do any other front end work. The rear can also be lifted.

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by clill

I don't understand. I just took these pics. I'm going to be playing with the sway bar. I don't see where I couldn't swap out control arms or do any other front end work. The rear can also be lifted.

That's way too high for me to work under....

[Vegas69]

Take that front wheel off and duck under that lift 100 times a week to work on the inside of the hoist and then the outside. I was auto tech with GM from the age of 19-22ish. I've worked on 1000's of cars on hoists. Boy I don't miss those days!

[clill]

But nobody on this site is going to be ducking under a lift 100 times a week. You can do just about anything with a 4 post that you can do with a 2 post plus you can do exhaust work with the suspension compressed etc. The negative to a 4 post is if you have something like a late model Camaro you can't drop the subframe. You need a 2 post to do that. I worked in a shop for about 6 years that had in ground lifts that had that had the arms you swung around and they were a pain. All this stuff is better now. The sliding jack that I just lifted the front of Jackass with took 4 posts to another level. I can pop a balljoint and work on the suspension at any height I want. With a 2 post I would be down at ground level with the jack on the floor to support the lower control arm. I can see if you are something like a brake shop where you are pulling wheels off every time the car is lifted that a two post would be faster but for the average guy on this site I still think a 4 post is the better way to go and safer.

[awr68]

One day I will have a 4 post in my garage. I like the fact that it can be moved around if need be. I also will be using it for storing my car. For me a 4 post makes total since.

[Vegas69]

Originally Posted by clill

But nobody on this site is going to be ducking under a lift 100 times a week. You can do just about anything with a 4 post that you can do with a 2 post plus you can do exhaust work with the suspension compressed etc. The negative to a 4 post is if you have something like a late model Camaro you can't drop the subframe. You need a 2 post to do that. I worked in a shop for about 6 years that had in ground lifts that had that had the arms you swung around and they were a pain. All this stuff is better now. The sliding jack that I just lifted the front of Jackass with took 4 posts to another level. I can pop a balljoint and work on the suspension at any height I want. With a 2 post I would be down at ground level with the jack on the floor to support the lower control arm. I can see if you are something like a brake shop where you are pulling wheels off every time the car is lifted that a two post would be faster but for the average guy on this site I still think a 4 post is the better way to go and safer.

You like red heads, I like brunettes. I always used a set of these. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=41860 That way you can simulate suspension at load, hold exhaust in place, support the front or rear of the vehicle if you removed the engine or frame. I'll bet you a beer that next time I see you, you will have been in a scenario where you cussed your lift for being in the way or conking your head on it and wished you had a 2 post. Bet?

[BonzoHansen]

Charley, my issues with 4 posts with suspension work, etc., is that the lift gets in the way too much. It can be done, not as easily. I'd say the 80/20 rule covers this well. I'd guess 80% of the the work we do is easier on a 2 post.

Originally Posted by Vegas69

You like red heads, I like brunettes. I always used a set of these. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=41860 That way you can simulate suspension at load, hold exhaust in place, support the front or rear of the vehicle if you removed the engine or frame. I'll bet you a beer that next time I see you, you will have been in a scenario where you cussed your lift for being in the way or conking your head on it and wished you had a 2 post. Bet?

the ones with pedal to push stuff up..like the back of a trans...are nice.