Vehicle Lifts: 2-post, 4-post, etc

[Waorani]

The Sunex tripod stands are pretty stout: 2 Ton Tripod Underhoist Stand - SUNEX Tools - https://sunextools.com/products/2-ton-tripod-underhoist-stand/

A guy I know has a pair and they're nice.

My only complaint is the bolt-together assembly for the legs - but I understand they do that for shipping or if you want to break it down for storage.

I think I'd be inclined to weld them together - or at least tack the bolts to guarantee nothing is loosening up.

I agree with @PIP - make sure (doubly sure) they've been removed before lowering...

Also that they're just braces - just enough to keep the vehicle from moving and not actually doing any supporting.

Thanks, I've looked at a lot of similar stands online. Problem is they all look like they're made in the same chinese factory with variations in color/labeling despite prices from $100-300. Agree welding would be good or at minimum replacing the crappy hardware that comes with it.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

The Sunex tripod stands are pretty stout: 2 Ton Tripod Underhoist Stand - SUNEX Tools - https://sunextools.com/products/2-ton-tripod-underhoist-stand/

A guy I know has a pair and they're nice.

My only complaint is the bolt-together assembly for the legs - but I understand they do that for shipping or if you want to break it down for storage.

I think I'd be inclined to weld them together - or at least tack the bolts to guarantee nothing is loosening up.

I agree with @PIP - make sure (doubly sure) they've been removed before lowering...

Also that they're just braces - just enough to keep the vehicle from moving and not actually doing any supporting.

Thanks, I've looked at a lot of similar stands online. Problem is they all look like they're made in the same chinese factory with variations in color/labeling despite prices from $100-300. Agree welding would be good or at minimum replacing the crappy hardware that comes with it.

First a disclaimer: I am not an expert in any way shape or form on this subject. Having said that, I much prefer the pogo stick design. It only depends on the strength of the pipe and the screw threads and seems much less subject to lateral loading stresses. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Waorani]

Lots of ways to rig lifting hooks but I had a pair of 5/8 threaded hooks I scrounged somewhere and added an aluminum bushing I made to fill the hole on the lift, a 4" steel round plate, washer and nut. Not sure if the hooks are lift rated but they're big enough to handle anything I'd put on them. Wouldn't recommend non-lift rated hardware store eyebolts.

 

[Waorani]

First a disclaimer: I am not an expert in any way shape or form on this subject. Having said that, I much prefer the pogo stick design. It only depends on the strength of the pipe and the screw threads and seems much less subject to lateral loading stresses. Just my 2 cents.

Plus I believe they'd be easier to move around.

 

[greenbeast]

Reached out to a contact I was given regarding used lifts. He has Bendpak APX 10 maybe 6-7 years old. Rebuilt cylinders, new cables for $3000. Of course its height is 12’ and 1/2inch. My ceiling is 12’.

Gonna do some additional research but he also had used little older challenger lift VS10 I believe, which he can shorten if needed.

I don’t mind a used good quality lift as long as it has the features I can use such as different lift options. It does make total sense to go used with my hobby status with the cars and save up to $5000

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Reached out to a contact I was given regarding used lifts. He has Bendpak APX 10 maybe 6-7 years old. Rebuilt cylinders, new cables for $3000. Of course its height is 12’ and 1/2inch. My ceiling is 12’.

Gonna do some additional research but he also had used little older challenger lift VS10 I believe, which he can shorten if needed.

I don’t mind a used good quality lift as long as it has the features I can use such as different lift options. It does make total sense to go used with my hobby status with the cars and save up to $5000

Don't you have a high bay center section?

 

[Waorani]

You can get a 1/2" easily. Like my 82yr old neighbor is fond of saying - if there's a will, there's a way!

 

[Waorani]

Tired of looking so I gambled on the Sunnex version of single pole supports. They just showed up on Amazon for $83 so I grabbed a pair. Reviews generally good but lots of returns so we'll see. Spent a little time pricing acme threaded rod, thrust bearings, etc and I can't come anywhere close to that so not expecting much.

Amazon product ASIN B00AHIWN78

 

[greenbeast]

Don't you have a high bay center section?

I do but don’t want to put lift in the middle. Don’t want anything to interfere with the fifth wheel Kim and I will be living in while house being built, or whatever else I ever buy that will only fit in the center section.

Agree, surely i can find 1/2”? Need to go measure some more. Gonna foam insulate rest of shop next week so most everything gets outside again for few days.

 

[Waorani]

Can't find any now but I've seen pics where folks needed a couple extra inches to install a lift and cut/finished out a shallow recess. Between rafters would be easy but across shouldn't be too much harder for only 1/2." If posts are one-piece though factor in extra height of having to tilt up into place.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I do but don’t want to put lift in the middle. Don’t want anything to interfere with the fifth wheel Kim and I will be living in while house being built, or whatever else I ever buy that will only fit in the center section.

Agree, surely i can find 1/2”? Need to go measure some more. Gonna foam insulate rest of shop next week so most everything gets outside again for few days.

The Rotary is advertised at 11' 8.5" but I just pulled a tape on mine and got just under 11' 8". That Bendpack might be at or under 12' if put to tape.

 

[greenbeast]

The Rotary is advertised at 11' 8.5" but I just pulled a tape on mine and got just under 11' 8". That Bendpack might be at or under 12' if put to tape.

I wish he put tape to it and it was indeed little over 12. I’m still strongly considering the new Rotary. Looks like $8000 installed if I go with it in next couple weeks.

Of course now that I’m having rest of shop insulated with foam I’m gonna have to move several things out. Thinking lift after foam sprayed in couple weeks.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I wish he put tape to it and it was indeed little over 12. I’m still strongly considering the new Rotary. Looks like $8000 installed if I go with it in next couple weeks.

Of course now that I’m having rest of shop insulated with foam I’m gonna have to move several things out. Thinking lift after foam sprayed in couple weeks.

I understand. After all the research I did, there was no way I was sleeping if I had gone with something else. Has nothing to do with whether or not other brands would work; it's just the way I'm wired - unfortunately.

 

[Waorani]

Got the Sunex underlift stands today. Typical import packaging (Amazon says China but boxes/stands say India) but nothing was missing. Base plate is 11 13/16" across and .165 thick with a stamped/threaded extension that a short tube screws into. Fine threads and goes together with no slop. I can see why some reviews mention cross threading but shouldn't be an issue if you're paying attention. Longer pole sits in base with a cross pin. Acme threaded rod is just over 1 1/8" diameter and turns easily (at least with no weight) on a simple thrust bearing. Lowered height is 53" and extended 82". Didn't weight but specs say 29 lbs which is probably about right.

Probably won't have anything on the lift for a while to test out but at this point they look like they'll work just fine and I'm not planning on returning. They're a little wobbly given how the base attaches but I don't think it would be an issue under load. Not sure why I would need to take base off anyway so I may weld the long pole to the threaded tube. Threads are tight so I'd probably leave that part as is which would still allow the base to come off if ever need. I'll probably also put a sheet of adhesive rubber on base plate just for some grip. Only other thing I can think of might be a couple of different top plates vs the saddles but those are easy enough to make. All in all, I'm surprisingly impressed and give them a , especially for $82ea + tax.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

@Waorani I've been meaning to tell you how impressed I am with the impeccable tidiness of your shop. I have got to get motivated and get my walls and cabinets up so I get my a$$ organized.

Edit: Impressive row of what I assume are Stronghold cabinets.......very nice.

 

[Waorani]

Appearances can be deceiving!

Yep, Stronghold 72" cabinets. Would like to find a couple more to finish out that wall and give me more deck but getting them for a decent price ain't easy.

 

[ace10]

Appearances can be deceiving!

Yep, Stronghold 72" cabinets. Would like to find a couple more to finish out that wall and give me more deck but getting them for a decent price ain't easy.

Stronghold is some nice kit!
Price was out of my budget for my garage. I've got Pucel (made in Ohio), which is probably the next tier down from Stronghold.


If anyone is interested in hearing about my 4 posts, I can share my experience with Advantage/Backyard Buddy. I have several different models from those folks, mostly used for storage.

 

[Waorani]

If anyone is interested in hearing about my 4 posts, I can share my experience with Advantage/Backyard Buddy. I have several different models from those folks, mostly used for storage.

This is the thread for just that!

 

[Waorani]

Added rubber tread pad to base (12x12 adhesive sheet - $4 at HF).

 

[cruisermatt]

I do not fit with your assumption of only one bay in a home shop. My shop has one roll-up door but 3200 sq ft is not limiting once past the door. So in my situation, I am actively considering getting a 4-post lift as a complement to my 2-post.

Why 4-post - I have found that proper positioning/alignment of vehicles with the 2-post lift can be time intensive, especially for shorter wheel base vehicles such as my FJ40s or BJ70s where positioning tolerances seem to be just a couple of inches. This might be just a consideration for me (i.e., I am the slowest student in the school), but it has me considering submitting a purchase request to my bride.
My thought is a 4-post lift would allow me to more quickly get the vehicle up off the floor compared to using the 2-post lift. For small'ish jobs and service tasks, this is where I think the 4-post would shine and be a great addition.

So my projection is that you aren't missing anything, but rather surfacing how diverse the requirements and options may be across this group.

If you’re only working on your own vehicles, you could paint tire locations on the floor

I am going to be shortening my longer lift arms by a few inches to help with 40’s and 60’s odd frame dimensions.