[Tigers] 2-post versus 4-post Lifts

Fri Jan 29 15:29:58 MST 2016

The point of concern for the two post lift is typically the concrete.  I have no concerns about my 2 post for storage. Of course I have a very thick concrete pad. If I had a four inch thick pad I would be concerned. Lifts are awesome to work on cars. Although while I store cars on my two post lift during the winter. Working underneath it gives me the heeby jeebies if I'm using any real torque or big tools. Working on the suspension does not scare me.

Funny story. Back in the 70's a friend of ours had a two post lift he used in his mechanic shop. He too used a 4x4 to help hold the lift up in an "emergency" in addition to the safety locks. He went to help a customer and one of his techs went to lower the lift with an original 289 cobra on it. He slightly raised the lift to remove the safety catch, the 4x4 tipped to be underneath the car and when he lowered the lift the car tilted and then slid off the lift landing between the posts on its side. Ouch!!

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> On Jan 29, 2016, at 3:01 PM, Jay Laifman via Tigers <tigers at autox.team.net> wrote:
> 
> :-)   I have spent many an hour under cars on jackstands.  On hindsight, in California, not a good idea.  I now almost exclusively use ramps if I can.  If I can't, I ALWAYS have something bigger than me under there too.  I have this large, long block of wood that some contractors left once.  It's added protection.  I put all wheels under too - including all the jack stands and floor jacks under there.
> 
> Funny you mention sore arms.  There are many times when I've been under a car working away on my back when my arms just burn from holding them up for too long.
> 
> I bought my lift solely for car storage purposes.  Being able to work under cars is just an added benefit.  For me, in suburbia with a tight HOA, I have my existing garage space, with no option to build out a wider, longer garage.  So if I wanted more cars in the garage, they had to go up.
> 
>> On Fri, Jan 29, 2016 at 1:46 PM, Tom Witt via Tigers <tigers at autox.team.net> wrote:
>> There would be a difference between a car falling off a lift (or the lift vertically collapsing)..., and the lift falling (tilting) over with the car still firmly attached.  It would seem the floor structure for a two post lift needs to be seismically substantial as compared to a four post lift.  I don’t think the issue is the two post lift collapsing (vertically) as much as it is simply falling (tilting front-back) with the failure at the floor attachment.  Tripods have at least three legs for a reason.
>>  
>> As a lifetime suburbanite I struggle to comprehend the need for a lift.  Are there really that many places that are width/depth challenged and yet have substantial height to elevate the car – especially for stacked parking? If you are replacing exhaust systems, brakes, transmissions on a daily basis sure they make sense. Maybe it is just my perpetually bad back, but having to stand, look up and work with arms up seems like torture compared to putting a car on jackstands and lying on the floor to work. A sheet of foam core makes a nice, cushioning insulator. 
>>  
>> From: CoolVT--- via Tigers
>> Sent: Friday, January 29, 2016 12:38 PM
>> To: lwright at impactoffice.com ; tigers at autox.team.net
>> Subject: Re: [Tigers] 2-post versus 4-post Lifts
>>  
>> Figure a Tiger at 2500 lbs. on a 9000lb rated lift.  Should be pretty secure. The guy who installed mine said they are actually tested at twice the rated capacity. I think as long as the Tiger isn't shaken off the lift then it's a pretty good bet that the lift won't collapse.
>> Mark L
>>  
>> In a message dated 1/29/2016 3:13:28 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, tigers at autox.team.net writes:
>>     I'm sure all the West-coasters have been through it all before and shrug it off, but I was a couple of miles from home when I experienced our one significant earthquake, eh, 5 years ago -- and the first thing I thought of was the Tiger sitting on the lift in the garage. Came home, opened the door, all was well. 4-post lift. MAYBE someone can convince me that a 2-post is as stable under such circumstances...
>> 
>> Larry Wright
>> Seabrook, MD
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