Going to buy 2 post car lift. Wont be lifting anything heavier that my wifes expedition. Need recommendations on one. What is a good brand? What is the best buy for the money? Thanks.

2 Post LIft , Heavy long Expedition . Easy choice , www.mohawklifts.com Get the System 1 , 2 Post 10,000 lift . I have that lift in my Garage and it picks up my V-10 Ford E350 Econoline QUIGLEY 4X4 very easy . but more important , it's VERY stable when my Van is 7 feet in the air . Make sure your FLOOR meets the specs to install it . Not a cheap china lift , USA only , You Get What You Pay For . Ronnie MOHAWK # 1

Some Bend Pak and Direct lifts are made in China, I bought a 7000 Lb. rated Direct Lift drive on muffler type lift several years(10+) ago that had set outside in the snow for several years being stored before OI bought it. I haven't used it much except to store one car on it so I can park another one under it
The release valve started leaking shortly after I bought it, probably from gunk or corrosion from sitting in the snow so long
I will try to replace the leaky O ring this summer and hope it is repairable instead of having to replace the complete power unit
the guy I bought it from had bought 25 of them to use to store his cars during the winter, I could have bought a 2 post 10,000 Lb. rated but it was more money and I wanted the drive on lift instead of a two post

https://www.maxjax.com/ - 2 post lift, 6k cap, designed to be stashed in a corner when not needed.

Apparently MaxJax went bankrupt last year and Bendpak bought their patents and trademarks. No idea if they are manufactured in the U.S. or China. How much does an Expedition weigh? Maxjax might be rated kind of low for that. 6K

I like the clear floor design, with "adjustable overhead stainless steel hydraulic lines can be set at any height (or routed in floor) to accommodate all tall trucks and vans ".
I have 13'-4" ceiling height, and it will be nice to have over 12' clearance for a tall vehicle while getting 60" or so under the vehicle.
I have seen some 12' lifts that have optional 2' extensions for the overhead, but that is 14'

Interesting adapter to use the 2-post as a drive-on lift, when desired.
https://mohawklifts.com/automotive-lifts/lift-options/2-post/

I have an older 9,000 bendpak symmetrical, old enough it is supposedly made in USA but who knows...
Got it second hand, $1200, installed it by myself.

it's been good for several years and who knows how much use it already had on it, but one cylinder has started leaking
and needs attention. I'd buy it again. Their modern equivalent is over 4 grand.

If money was no object and I wanted the best, I'd get a brand new Mohawk and I'd have someone else install it.
But, that is just my interpretation of 'best'. There are alot of really good ones on the market.

It is easily the most often, constantly used tool in the shop.

Garagejournal dot com is an excellent resource for stuff like that.

https://www.challengerlifts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/LE10-1.pdf

I bought used one of these, but it had hardly ever, if at all, been used. A buddy and me took it down and installed it in my garage.

Dennis

I have a cheap Eagle I bought 15 years ago. Occasional use, 9k capacity, gets the job done.
If I used it everyday I'd get a Bend Pak, or Rotary.

You may want to make sure you have enough concrete to bolt down the lift. I have a 4 post and if i remember correctly you need at least 7". If you don't have enough to bolt it down it will NOT be safe! The two post lift's may need more(bigger/longer bolts) something to look into.

As mentioned concrete foundation is critical. Typical garage slab, like home, are 3-4", not adequate for a 2 post lift. In my case, cut out 2' x 2' squares, excavated to 18", and undercut existing slab a couple inches. Added rebar cage and poured 4000 psi concrete mix. Used Wej-It epoxy anchors instead of the supplied wedge anchors. After some research I ended up with Atlas BP8000. Very happy with it.

From Mohawk web site: Concrete Floor Requirements: ........ 4000 psi mix 4-1/2”
From BendPak web site: Concrete 4.25 inches thick, 3,000 PSI, cured for a minimum of 28 days.

So check with the manufacturer. It isn't as bad as you may think. But remember many residential driveway/garage floors may only be 3.5" thick.
I went to the trouble to over build my new shop. It has reinforcement steel bar 24" on center (square grid), and the area where the posts go are 6" thick (minimum, dug deeper).