99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

How hard is it to install a lift?

While I can't afford one, I would like to know what's involved, how much space is usually needed, how thick the concrete has to be etc.

Thanks

Cody Brooks

iTrader: (2)

the concrete has to be aleast 4 inches thick i believe.

ta12sec

iTrader: (3)

I dont know about a lift but you do need a min. of 4 inchs if you plan on driving on it. But i would imagine that with a lift you would be putting 3400+lbs on 2 14x10 or 4 8x8 pads thats not a lot of surface area I know I wouldnt want to put my car on a lift and have it fall does state farm cover that, not to mention that I wouldnt want to be under it if it fell.

just my .02

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

Would that mean the floor in my garage should be thick enough? How would I be able to find out? Drill a hole in the floor of the garage?

wrencher

iTrader: (2)

Then when you get all the mounting issues sorted, a good lift runs 220 volt motor so you got to wire that in.
The 120 volt ones suck IMHO.

dand35th

hardest part was lifting the beams up.. and drilling the holes.. but not hard at all.

1999_SS_M6

It really depends on whether you're talking about a 2 post, or a 4 post lift. 4 post lifts are can be installed most anywhere that has 4"+ of concrete. However, I had to pour 8" of concrete for my 2 post lift.

Think of all the leverage pulling the posts in while supporting the weight of the car!! There is no damned way I'd be under 2 tons of car supported by two posts set in 4" of concrete.

It's been a few years since I've installed one, but I would suggest you make a call to the manufacturer of the lift you're interested in and see what they say about their product.. I'm sure it's a 2 minute conversation to get all your answers.

ta12sec

iTrader: (3)

If your garage was inspected when it was built then you should have a min of 4 inchs possibly 6.
Our garage has a 6 inch thick floor but code here is only 4 inchs. I did see a real neat lift made by rotary that had 4 mobile pillars but i cant imagine the morgage one of them would cost. It is designed for lifting buses and other heavy equipment.

88SS LS1

iTrader: (9)

Isn't that mobile lift like the on on Monster Garage.

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

Seems like 2 post would be the way to go.

My floor might 4 inches as cheap as the local contractors are I'd be stunned if it was 6 inch. Guess that sort of kills that idea.

ta12sec

iTrader: (3)

Personaly I would call a lift manufacturer and ask them. With a 4 post you probaly could get away with 4 inchs. You will have 16 3/4 bolts holding the legs from doing the splits and there wont be much more stress then the car on jack stands. Rotary makes goo lifts and has excelent customer service.
http://www.rotarylift.com/default.asp

This is the link for the big portable one
http://www.rotarylift.com/library/po..._Poratable.pdf

ramairglenn

I installed a 2 post clear floor lift (Superior Lift ) in my shop ; in my Dad's shop we installed one nearly identical ( Team Lift ). Everyone is right on concrete ; 4 inches thick of reinforced by wire or fiberglass but best I remember , wire was recommended . The height of our lifts is 12',6" . Two people with good backs can do one pretty easy , the critical part is verifying everything is straight and level , especially the first post . Team Lift at the time we bought our last had the best deal , right about $2100 shipped .

2000FormulaHawk

Call Eagle Equipment. 1-800-336-2776 They are the one that provide lift's to the hotrod tv show.I just got my catalog today. They have great prices. Delivery is free or included however you want to look at it.
What is you height in your garage? If it is in a house it usually is only 8 to 10 feet. That is not enough for a lift unless you punch the car thru the ceiling.

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

I haven't measured but the ceiling is over 12+ ft high in the garage, I'm lucky in that regard but pretty much screwed on the floor because it's 3.5 to 4.0 inch thick and not reinforced.

Pete2k_Z28

The thickness of the cement isn't the only issue, the type of cement used is also important.

ta12sec

iTrader: (3)

I just found a company that sells hoists, they make a 7000 lb drive on hoist that DOES NOT need to be bolted to the floor. The corner post pads are much bigger then any other host they were at least 18x18. I asked the salesman about min concrete, he said the way the hoist is set up with the large pads you could set it up in the dirt. The company is called ARESCO 1-877-227-3726
www.ARESCO.ORG And I did see thsi with my own eyes they had it in a parking lot at the wood ward dream cruise And they would let you pull your car up on this hoist as a demo and it wasnt bolted down. Best part is 2295$

Red Shift

Eagle lift FAQ
They answer your Q's there.

The good news is you can find these puppies on ebay for 2k!

Red Shift

Eagle sells one without a top crossbar and put it on the floor. It has ramped edges but that would be a hassle to roll a tranny jack around.

You would want to consider a two post for they are cheaper and you can work on the suspension and pull the wheels as with a four post (roll on) you can't.

Roger White

I made my garage floor 6 in. thick knowing I was going to install a lift later. Four-in. is suppose to be enough, but I wanted a little insurance. I bought the 9000-lb. 2 post from Gemini. They are in Ft. Worth and they make lifts for a number of other companies. Two people can install it, a third just makes lifting the posts up easier. You only have to grunt a little while, for once you get the post above 45 degrees, they get lighter fast. You need to rent a hammer drill from a rent place ($35 or so) for the holes. The lift comes with the proper expansion bolts. As said earlier, 220 volts is needed. Other than that, it is a snap to install. I have a 10-ft. ceiling minimum. I may have trouble lifting a truck all the way up, but do not plan on doing that.