Ok, more for work. That's a 2 post. 4 post is more about storage. That would make my decision "RIGHT THERE".
4 post lift vs. 2 post lift. Pros and Cons.
- Thread starter Scamp Rhonda
- Start date
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Ok, more for work. That's a 2 post. 4 post is more about storage. That would make my decision "RIGHT THERE".
Krooser
Building Chinese Free Engines since 1959...
Two post if you work on stuff four post for storage.
I bought my Weaver 9k two post used around 1995. It has a floor plate since the original owner had a low being in his shop. Not an issue at all.
I realize everyone has a budget but I would never buy a cheap Chicom lift. Buy a good quality USA lift and you will have it forever.
My old Weaver is fab'd from 3/4 and 1" steel. You won't see that in a $1500.00 lift. I paid $1800.00 for mine.
As far as concrete goes if the posts have a large pad, and you use 1" concrete fasteners, you can be safe with 4" of concrete.
I bought my Weaver 9k two post used around 1995. It has a floor plate since the original owner had a low being in his shop. Not an issue at all.
I realize everyone has a budget but I would never buy a cheap Chicom lift. Buy a good quality USA lift and you will have it forever.
My old Weaver is fab'd from 3/4 and 1" steel. You won't see that in a $1500.00 lift. I paid $1800.00 for mine.
As far as concrete goes if the posts have a large pad, and you use 1" concrete fasteners, you can be safe with 4" of concrete.
I have to disagree with the storage comment. depending on shop size,and distance from door you are limited. 10 foot overhead door in my shop opens 10 feet into garage,raised car limits how far door can be opened. I guess with a car on the hoist it may be different. My truck with a topper on the back i cant open shop door fully.
If you have never used either, i strongly suggest you go somewhere that has a two post and set up your car on it.
then drive it onto a 4 post.
See what’s easier.
another point to mention, customer brought in his mustang for some work.
drove it onto hoist and lifted it.
Called customer to come in and see the damage a 2 post lift caused. Both torque boxes were crushed.
muffler shop buckled both front fenders on a buddy’s 64 fairlane lifting it on a 2 post.
Lifted a big ford ragtop on a two post once. Got it a couple inches off the floor and set it down. Door jamb gaps opened way too much for my liking.
it all comes down to preference, type of work, space available and budget.
Other than lifting a body off a car, there is nothing i cant accomplish with my 4 post. Since when do you lift a body off a mopar a-body anyway?
If you have never used either, i strongly suggest you go somewhere that has a two post and set up your car on it.
then drive it onto a 4 post.
See what’s easier.
another point to mention, customer brought in his mustang for some work.
drove it onto hoist and lifted it.
Called customer to come in and see the damage a 2 post lift caused. Both torque boxes were crushed.
muffler shop buckled both front fenders on a buddy’s 64 fairlane lifting it on a 2 post.
Lifted a big ford ragtop on a two post once. Got it a couple inches off the floor and set it down. Door jamb gaps opened way too much for my liking.
it all comes down to preference, type of work, space available and budget.
Other than lifting a body off a car, there is nothing i cant accomplish with my 4 post. Since when do you lift a body off a mopar a-body anyway?
You can disagree and that's cool. The fact is that cars don't need to be stored long term with the suspension unloaded. Period.
vitamindart
Well-Known Member
I would bet the torque boxes were crushed with a floor jack, not a 2 post lift.
I know for a fact it was a 2 post. Can see where the flip up pad extensions made the creases.
Standing under a car, to set up the air jack for removing wheels its easy to pay attention to avoid damage.
I’ve seen so much damage over the years from 2 post lifts, usually the idiot operator.
Still these cars get fragile over the years, and try explaining that to the customer after the fact?
Nothing like a flipped over pickup in the bay.
Or the concrete ripped out of the ground from a pitiful installation.
I’ve had 2 vehicles on this lift safely and could pull another underneath.
2 post are nice to work off of at times, but you do stupid **** to get the job done, and that gets dangerous fast. Loading the suspension to do a shock or strut job, keeping barrels around to set the vehicle weight on to do some trivial job, and risk the techs life or customers vehicle.
Still these cars get fragile over the years, and try explaining that to the customer after the fact?
Nothing like a flipped over pickup in the bay.
Or the concrete ripped out of the ground from a pitiful installation.
I’ve had 2 vehicles on this lift safely and could pull another underneath.
2 post are nice to work off of at times, but you do stupid **** to get the job done, and that gets dangerous fast. Loading the suspension to do a shock or strut job, keeping barrels around to set the vehicle weight on to do some trivial job, and risk the techs life or customers vehicle.
Used the transmission jack to raise front end of my Fargo yesterday so i could get front axle under the leaf springs.
I must say it was very stable.
It was on jack stands under cab, i more or less transferred weight to the back.wouldnt think twice about doing it again.
I must say it was very stable.
It was on jack stands under cab, i more or less transferred weight to the back.wouldnt think twice about doing it again.
What’s a Fartgo?
1100. Wouldnt trust it with a transmission that heavy though.
While it was on your 4 post lift? Just trying to think of different ways to use mine.
vitamindart
Well-Known Member
ok, I stand corrected. I lifted thousands of cars in my years at the dealer. even as an oil changer never damaged 1 with a 2 post lift.
I think that goes back to the common sense portion of the debate. either way this debate could/can/will go on forever. much like the this oil/spark plug/ect is better than that. All have their pro's n con's
Yes. I didnt attempt to lift the full weight, just what i needed.
Dangit boy! Do the lights dim when you pick up one of those? lol
Most go probably about 2 MPH.
It goes down quicker than up!
I’ve picked up some triaxle dump trucks. Some I can’t.
It still will usually get the job done, as it has two 15,000 pound Rolling air jacks.
The Hunter lift is way overbuilt, probably about as heavy as the Bendpack lift, but due to the open front I think it’s rated 14,000
Snapped a cable on it a few years ago with a new Prius on it. Not only did the safety locks catch it, another set of safety locks engaged when the cable snapped. Double safety locks.
Called a wrecker service and backed his rollback up to the lift so the customer could get his car.
DrCharles
Well-Known Member
I had already decided on a 4-post... accessibility not as good, but it'll never tip over and crush me like those poor guys in the Rolls video 
It's been in the crate in the barn for 2 or 3 years now... and I finally have the money for the concrete floor which I need first
It's been in the crate in the barn for 2 or 3 years now... and I finally have the money for the concrete floor which I need first 
John Trickler
Well-Known Member
I have a 2 post. Buddy has 3 4-posts, and swears by them. Bro-in-law has a new shop and looking into which lift. My feelings after all this, 2-post is cheaper, most things are easier on a 2 post. You have to get on your knees to set the arms. 2-posts are not portable, plan on loosing some shop space. 4-post with the nice air jack options are more costly. They are portable with the wheel kits, easier to put a vehicle in the air. Put take up more shop space meaning their foot-print. I do put a car on mine and store one underneath when necessary.
Also,
4 post = 110v wall plug
2 post = 220v
4 post = 110v wall plug
2 post = 220v
Scamp Rhonda
Well-Known Member
Thanks and welcome to FABO from Minnesota. Great group of people here.
Steve
furyus2
Well-Known Member
The 2 post takes a little effort to set the lift arms. But it has a much smaller footprint than a 4 post. Think about every time you need to walk across the shop. You have to walk around the 4post, especially if there's a car on it. A 2 post doesn't have a cross beam up front like the 4 post does. Could get in the way pulling an engine. 2 post are cheaper, due to less material to make one. I bought a Bendpak 10K 2 post about ten years ago. no issues yet. those tall screw jacks a good to have the safety factor.
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