Car Lifts - 2 post or drive on

[KemahGT]

Sorry if this has been covered...but...the search is down.

So, I'm looking for a lift for my home garage. I will use it for storing as well as working on the car. I do all of my own work up to and including transmissions.

I really like the ease of use for the ramp style but I will also use it for messing with the car. My question is, are there just too many cons on the ramps compared to the pros for the 2 post lifts? ...for working on the car that is.

BTW, here is what I get when searching:
Fatal error: Allowed memory size of 67108864 bytes exhausted (tried to allocate 71 bytes) in /home/s197foru/public_html/forum/search.php on line 1155

 

[stkjock]

search is working, try again without the word "car"


http://www.s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=68842&highlight=garage+lift

 

[KemahGT]

Thanks!! My search still sucks! I've tried another computer as well.

 

[dysan]

Well....you can always set up bottle jacks to lift the car when on the drive-on lift but with a 2-post you don't have the same "secure feeling" that a drive-on will give you when leaving it up for long periods of time in my opinion.

When I'm able to move and get a large detached garage I will be putting in a 2-post just for the fact that it takes up much less space but if I had a huge area where space didn't matter I'd probably get a drive-on.

 

[KemahGT]

Search is now working again. Yea!

I have seen the jigs that allow you to use a bottle jack. That will work for pulling wheels when on the ramp. But I guess pulling the cross member or removing the rear end would be a severe challenge.

I guess I may have to end up getting 2 lifts! Decisions, decisions. If I only had more garage.

 

[gil_t2]

I have owned both styles, and used them for over 40 years. As far as working on the cars, I feel the 2 post more versatile. You will find that the runners are in the way, when doing exhaust and other axle type repairs. Ramp style is good for alignment, pinion angle, things that require load suspension. I now only have a 2 post, if i can i will add a drive on

 

[Shaffe]

Drive on But I'm biased since I have only used drive on lifts lol. My dad has one in his garage and it is great. Very secure when it's in the air and the bottle jack works great too

 

[HellsBells]

Definitely a two-post. Drive-on lifts don't let you take off wheels/suspension stuff like that.

 

[RedfireGT]

im for the 2 post. we have 3 and they are amazing

 

[908ssp]

Two post in my little garage. It is actually cheaper and I feel safer than the removable kind. Does get in the way sometimes but complaining about is like someone giving you a Ferrari and complaining about insurance.

 

[Thekid760]

Two post in my little garage. It is actually cheaper and I feel safer than the removable kind. Does get in the way sometimes but complaining about is like someone giving you a Ferrari and complaining about insurance.

Nice Ceiling mod

is that an 8ft ceiling?

 

[atistang]

2 post all the way, you will regret a drive on

 

[tjm73]

Agree with the others...2 post.

I miss the dealership my Father had and closed a couple years ago. I really miss the lift tire changer and balancing machine. I could do 90% of my maintnance myself. Now with no garage at all I can't hardly do shit and gotta pay someone to do what I can do myself. Makes me crazy. When I have a house (the wife and I are looking) I want to get a lift.

 

[908ssp]

Nice Ceiling mod

is that an 8ft ceiling?

Yes 8 foot ceiling.

I'll have get a picture of my special chair. I made a chair on wheels that puts my ass about 2 inches from the ground makes it a breeze to roll around underneath while seated to work on stuff.

 

[way2qk4u2c]

Yeah im thinking of getting a 2 post lift hopefully.

i been looking at this one
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-OH9000W-With-EXTRA-WIDTH

 

[Scuba-Matt]

Definitely a two-post. Drive-on lifts don't let you take off wheels/suspension stuff like that.

They do when you add the air driven rolling jacks that ride in the wheel tracks.

 

[S197gt07]

They do when you add the air driven rolling jacks that ride in the wheel tracks.

Thats what I was thinking. Kind of the best of both worlds.

You can have the suspension loaded, you can store a car while lifted, and you can use the rolling jacks to do unload the car.

 

[gil_t2]

Thats what I was thinking. Kind of the best of both worlds.

You can have the suspension loaded, you can store a car while lifted, and you can use the rolling jacks to do unload the car.

Not realy the best of both worlds. The extra jacks are not cheep, but biggest problem is working around the jacks and the ramps. Also the jacks are made to lift on the axles. So what do you do if you want to remove the complete rear, or K member. you need to keep some 6x6 blocks around so you can block up the car on the ramps. If you can only have 1 lift go with 2 post. Something to think about , the maker of my lift sells drive on ramp add on's for the 2 post. You can install them and remove them at will. Thats the best of both worlds.

 

[atistang]

Thats what I was thinking. Kind of the best of both worlds.

You can have the suspension loaded, you can store a car while lifted, and you can use the rolling jacks to do unload the car.

Just do a brake job on a drive on, then a two post. Thats all it would take to change your mind

 

[S197gt07]

Oh that sounds cool!

Care to share who makes your lift? I thought a 2-post with drive on ramp attachments would be the best, but couldn't find one in my brief search.