Re: 2 Post or 4 Post Lift?
[Re: 69dart]
#2473835
03/29/18 02:41 PM
03/29/18 02:41 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972 Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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I have owned a 2 post for 15 years.. bought it used.. am getting ready to buy another hoist and its going to be another 2 post.. I can do about 90% of my work on a 2 post.. I might even look at a 4 post also but on rollers
Last edited by MR_P_BODY; 03/29/18 02:43 PM.
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Re: 2 Post or 4 Post Lift?
[Re: 69dart]
#2473838
03/29/18 02:43 PM
03/29/18 02:43 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 12,318 Fulton County, PA
CMcAllister
Mr. Helpful
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Mr. Helpful
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 12,318
Fulton County, PA
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2 post takes up very little floor space. You can put the arms up when not in use and use the space. Also easier to work under the car, around the car, etc. I've used both and have a 2 post in my shop with no regrets. Yes, I have to use a floor jack to get the arms under some of the low stuff.
If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
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Re: 2 Post or 4 Post Lift?
[Re: 69dart]
#2473840
03/29/18 02:44 PM
03/29/18 02:44 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,526 Minnesota
Hemi_Joel
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,526
Minnesota
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For jobs where you don't need to remove the wheels, a 4 post is easiest. You drive on, and raise it up. But the ramps hinder access to the wheels and under the rockers. A 2 post is harder to lift the car, you have to swing the arms into place. But then the wheels are hanging, you you have unrestricted access to 95% of the underside. So it depends on the type of work you plan to do.
[img]http://i.imgur.com/boeexFms.jpg[/img]31 Plymouth Coupe, 392 Hemi, T56 magnum RS23J71 RS27J77 RP23J71 RO23J71 WM21J8A I don't regret the things I've done. I only regret the things I didn't do. "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. ~ Plato"
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Re: 2 Post or 4 Post Lift?
[Re: 69dart]
#2473855
03/29/18 03:36 PM
03/29/18 03:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,496 Marion, South Carolina [><]
an8sec70cuda
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,496
Marion, South Carolina [><]
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2 post, easy choice for me. Takes up less floor space and maximum access to the underside for the car. A 4 post is just a PITA to me. Most low cars still have trouble getting on a 4 post lift too.
CHIP '70 hemicuda, 575" Hemi, 727, Dana 60 '69 road runner, 440-6, 4 speed, Dana 60 '71 Demon 340, no drivetrain, on blocks behind the barn '73 Chrysler New Yorker, 440, 727, 8.75 '90 Chevy 454SS Silverado, 476" BBC, TH400, 14 bolt '06 GMC 2500HD LBZ Duramax
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Re: 2 Post or 4 Post Lift?
[Re: 69dart]
#2473897
03/29/18 04:48 PM
03/29/18 04:48 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,544 Las Vegas
Al_Alguire
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,544
Las Vegas
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I think it depends on you what you are doing and why you want a lift. If you are guy that primarily does oil change type work or like to clean the car or using it simply for additional storage of two cars where one would fit then use a 4 post. If you are a guy who does most of your own work on your cars then a 2 post is by far more versatile a tool than the 4 post variety.
"I am not ashamed to confess I am ignorant of what I do not know."
"It's never wrong to do the right thing"
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Re: 2 Post or 4 Post Lift?
[Re: CMcAllister]
#2473927
03/29/18 05:31 PM
03/29/18 05:31 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972 Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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I laugh because I said the same thing. Don't kid yourself. When I got my shop done and walked in before there was a thing in it, it looked like an aircraft hanger. Now? It's crowded, I have to move stuff around all the time to get it out of my way and I'm going to get an estimate on a cold storage addition soon. LOL.. a shop is never big enough and you can never have enough light.. I have my shop basically broke down into 3rd.. the one third is my machine shop and welding area.. the center is the hoist area and the far section is storage area for my 38 Ply and my small trailer(goes behind the Rampage.. I wanted 2000sqft but the township shut that down.. I have 1200sqft in the shop and a 2000sqft pole barn and the wifes garage... I do have a office and a clean room thats part of the machine shop area.. they are all small if you ask me
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Re: 2 Post or 4 Post Lift?
[Re: MR_P_BODY]
#2473933
03/29/18 05:47 PM
03/29/18 05:47 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,273 PA.
pittsburghracer
"Little"John
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"Little"John
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,273
PA.
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No matter which one you get buy it and enjoy it ASAP. I've been working on my back for 44 plus years and will never have a lift, but I sure would have loved one. I finally bought a used Quick Lift 6 years or so ago and it helps some. Last years transmission issues about wore me out pulling and installing my transmission 6 or 7 times by myself on the floor. I built my 28-36 shop in 1991 with 8 foot ceilings and was so used to working on my back and knees from doing Millwright work I never thought about my old age years. https://www.kwik-lift.com/
1970 Duster Edelbrock headed 408 5.984@112.52 422 Indy headed small block 5.982@112.56 mph 9.38@138.67
Livin and lovin life one day at a time
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Re: 2 Post or 4 Post Lift?
[Re: pittsburghracer]
#2473950
03/29/18 06:19 PM
03/29/18 06:19 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972 Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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The one reason I am replacing my 2 post hoist is that its a little short on vertical lift.. I'm sick of banging my head and the new one I'm going to buy will lift another 10 above the one I have now... this new one has lower arms on it also.. my Rampage is VERY LOW and the arms will still get under it.. my buddy has one right now and I love it.. I have plenty of over head clearance
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Re: 2 Post or 4 Post Lift?
[Re: 69dart]
#2473961
03/29/18 06:54 PM
03/29/18 06:54 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 12,318 Fulton County, PA
CMcAllister
Mr. Helpful
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Mr. Helpful
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 12,318
Fulton County, PA
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Best money spent. Maybe a toss up with A/C. I was putting gears in a 7.5 in a Trans Am or something and cracked my head getting up from under it for about the hundredth time. Put tools down, wiped my hands off, called the parts store and ordered it. Express. Didn't even ask the price.
If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
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Re: 2 Post or 4 Post Lift?
[Re: 69dart]
#2474015
03/29/18 08:30 PM
03/29/18 08:30 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,490 Sydney,Australia
tex013
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,490
Sydney,Australia
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I have both . For 2 post get a clear floor type, but this needs a higher ceiling . Way better if pulling transmissions With a 4 post i have a air operated scissor lift that slides end to end for wheels off work
Tex
New best ET 10.259@129.65 . New best MPH 130.32 Finally fitted a solid cam, stepped it up a bit more 3690lbs through the mufflers New World block 3780lbs 10.278@130.80 . Wowser 10.253@130.24 footbraking from 1500rpm Power by Tex's Automotive
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Re: 2 Post or 4 Post Lift?
[Re: 69dart]
#2474021
03/29/18 08:41 PM
03/29/18 08:41 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,540 Milwaukee WI
TRENDZ
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,540
Milwaukee WI
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I had a version of this at the dealer. I loved it. Building a new workspace next year, and this is part of it. I am limited to 1000 sq ft in my neighborhood so space is at a premium. The benefits, they take up no space, they give you a table area for brake work, doesn’t matter how low your car is, can use as a motorcycle/ atv lift etc... Drawbacks are washing the floor or spills fill the pits, initial install is trickier than a flat floor. Not horribly difficult to do to an existing floor. Cost for hoist set is cheaper than a two post in most cases( under 10,000 lbs). That doesn’t factor in the floor cost though. https://youtu.be/JcJAnEcCsnM
"use it 'till it breaks, replace as needed"
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Re: 2 Post or 4 Post Lift?
[Re: CMcAllister]
#2474025
03/29/18 08:49 PM
03/29/18 08:49 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,212 Minnesota
peabodyracing
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,212
Minnesota
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I'm fortunate to have one of each now.
Started with an asymmetric 2 post based on consulting with numerous people more experienced with shop hoists than I was. My original leaning had been a four post, like you. I've never regretted the decision.
The only thing that bugs me is if I'm going to have a big car sitting on the hoist for a long time (as in a day or two) I start worrying about the rear end and suspension hanging there unsupported and the stress on the body. My biggest concern came when I did the brakes on a 70 convertible. I put screw type jack stands under the rear end to provide some support while the convertible was up there for a couple days.
As it is you can see the body of most any car move around some when using this style lift by watching the door gaps. I'm not talking about rusty, patched up bodies, either. Perhaps I'm over thinking this entire subject. The cars always come right back in line when I set them back down. It just bugs me. You're lifting a unibody car from the ends of the front and rear frame rails, so the engine is hanging out front and rear end hanging out back, along with all that rear end sheet metal, gas tank, etc.
Access under the car with a 2 post is very nice. When I installed the four post I quickly realized you have to stoop down to get under the ramps to work under the car. Remember the ramps are below the wheels, and are 4-6" thick, so you need to stoop over a fair amount to clear.
That I found to be a pain in the rear, especially when you're going back and forth a lot. That is much more irritating to me than kneeling down to place the arms on the 2 post.
The second thing I don't like is the ramps are hanging out there at the back, at an elevation that it's just a matter of time before you walk into one of them. I speak from experience and wrap foam around the leading edge of each.
Finally, the wheel kit is handy, but in my case at least, even with a good floor, it's enough work to push it around that I don't care to do it very often. I'm using my 4 post more for storage than work.
One last thought on a 4 post. Get the wider version if at all possible. Many of the standard ones are quite narrow between posts when you're dealing with a full size car or a truck.
Lead, follow or get the hell out of the way
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