Tell me about your lifts

BLUPORT

Carpe Diem Cras
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This could be a game changer (for keeping my Newport at least)

So, as several may have seen, I've listed the Newport for sale. The stuff it needs done isn't major, but looking forward, just maintaining it would be a challenge since I can't get under the car. Well, this could change. I have the opportunity to get a metal carport installed, concrete poured, and a lift installed, all attached to the front of my current shop. Not only would this give me a place to work on it, but a place to keep it out of the elements, and allow me to service ALL of my vehicles.
The concrete part, I'm familiar enough with, but for you guys who have lifts, I'm considering a standard 2-post hydraulic lift, and I'm trying to do the math, given the size of the car. I am thinking an 18' wide building would be enough to allow doors to open safely, and 20' long would cover the car, and leave room to walk behind and in front of it. ( there's already 5' of existing overhang on my shop now that I will be factoring in, and that should give me a couple feet in front and back since the car is just over 18' IIRC)

With an enclosure, concrete pad, and a lift, that opens up a LOT of things I'll be able to do, and I won't feel as pressured to get it done because now there will be more than just a crummy car cover protecting the Chrysler.
What I HAVEN'T figured out yet, is how high I need the side walls to be to allow clearance to lift the car. If I go 8' sides, that only gives me a 12' peak and I don't think I can get the car overhead with that.

Thoughts, comments, or suggestions on wall/roof height?
 
Off topic, but I hope you get to keep the Newport. It’s a great looking car.

PS-maybe find an installation manual for a lift online. It should show clearance specs. Just my 2 cents.
 
What Joseph said, look up the specs of any lift you are considering and it will give you minimum clearance height required.
 
Most lifts that have the cables and hydraulic lines up top require 12' clearance. There's no minimum height for some of the ones where the cables and lines are down at the floor, but if you want to stand under the car, you'll need at least 10 feet of height where the roof of the car will be when it's up. You will also need to be mindful of open hoods and trunks with a low ceiling.
 
Just did a quick google search and didn't see much in low clearance lifts anymore. Maybe they weren't a big seller?
 
My four post is installed in a barn with 11' head clearance. I can put a passenger car on top and take it up plenty far enough to get another passenger car under it, but I'd be careful since it sounds like you are trying to cut every dimension to the bare minimum, which may produce unsatisfactory results. BTW, I'm like a new man once I finally got myself a lift..... amazing what you can do that was once a dreaded chore.

Sidenote; I almost typed 11" instead of 11'. Any of you fans of the movie SpinalTap know what grave error that would have been!
 
At some point I plan on a lift. I have 10 ft walls with a vaulted ceiling and high lift garage door rails. Since I am 6’3” I may not get it high enough to stand straight under. But I think I may be just as well off with a nice roller chair with back support at about 4’ off the ground. To get over any dirt clumps or floor dry, regular office wheels may not cut it though.
 
Mine's a four poster, not two - but it's installed with 14' sidewalls (which yields about 13' inside). I can put my D150 on it with the hood up and just barely clear the ceiling mounted light fixture. And at 30' deep I have room enough for the ramps to clear the door and enough room for a workbench in front that I can comfortably work at (if it's ever clean enough to work on....).
 
I'm jealous as my garage will only accept a quick jack type system. Haven't bought one yet though.
 
I have a great 2 post bendpak. You can put it in a 10 foot garage. It is a game changer. I have a low shop chair on casters which makes it perfect to work on.

Best purchase I have ever made, except my 66 300 of course.
 
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That’s next for me. I’d prefer a 2 post but I might have some cement work to do as the pad in the shop is only 3.5” thick.:mad:
 
I have a bendpak xd9xw... best money I ever spent. I have about 13 ft in the center. Garage is 23 foot work bench to door. I'm 5'9" and with the fury on it I can get the lift high enough to walk under the runners without ducking . With the wife's minivan I can get get the runners about 5'6". Can park 1 on top of another no issues ..
 
I think you'll need at least 26'deep x 20'wide, with a 12' wall/ ceiling. Don't forget you'll want a work bench somewhere.
I have a two post. Got it online crime a site called Complete hydraulic. They have a web site all one word. They sell Bend Pack and their own brand. Very reasonable. www.completehydraulic.com

I avoided a 4 post because when they are down those long ramps take up sooo much room. I can still put Car on the lift and another 2 under for winter storage. Of course my shop is 40'x40'. But you get the drift.
 
My garage has 13' from the concrete floor to the bottom of the roof joists. I can put a '68 Fury with the hood all the way open all the way up on my 4 post lift and not hit the lights installed on the bottom of the joists.

An advantage to a 4-post is that you can leave the car up in the air with no worries and for those jobs that require the wheels off a couple of jack trays and some jacks solve that problem. Just my 2 cents.
 
I think you'll need at least 26'deep x 20'wide, with a 12' wall/ ceiling. Don't forget you'll want a work bench somewhere.
I have a two post. Got it online crime a site called Complete hydraulic. They have a web site all one word. They sell Bend Pack and their own brand. Very reasonable. www.completehydraulic.com

I avoided a 4 post because when they are down those long ramps take up sooo much room. I can still put Car on the lift and another 2 under for winter storage. Of course my shop is 40'x40'. But you get the drift.
This will be attached to my existing shop, which is 18' wide and 21' deep. I have a 6' overhang on the front, (not my earlier quoted 5') so by adding another 20' I'll have 26' total depth. I have 12' high walls in my current shop, and I'm thinking I may be able to have it just looking like an extension. I already have the shop insulated with workbenches and toolboxes too.
 
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