Alright, making progress on the garage, but have a question that I can't seem to find a consistent answer yes or no. So hoping that someone here might have the knowledge:

I am going to put a lift in my garage which will be used for both storing an extra car in the winter (3-4 months) to make extra room so I can fit three cars in the garage during the winter and also for wrenching (duh).

IMHO, a 2 post lift is better for wrenching in terms of better access to all parts of the car, but my question is, is it bad (not theoretically, but actually) to store a car for 3-4 months on a 2-post with the suspension drooping/off loaded? I've read people theorize that it might not be good for the bushings to be loaded/twisted in a diff manner for prolonged periods as well as people theorize that it might not be good for the shocks, but no solid evidence of any real damage so far in my search. In fact, been finding a bunch of people storing their ferrari, lotus, etc... on a 2 post lift for almost 6 months. Again, doesn't mean that they know what they are doing so looking for more info.

 

If you are running poly bushings then there should be no issue. With rubber, maybe. But I doubt enough that it is a major concern.

Personally I'd go with a 4 post anyway. Ifyou are using it to store a car on it, especially if you are taking the car on and off on a regular basis. A 2 post can be a bitch to get your car on if it is quite low, my car I have to drive up on blocks of wood to get the arms of the life under the car. With the exception of suspension work, the 4 post is just as good. Even with suspension it is handy when torquing everything to have the car's weight on the suspension. I've done work on both a 2 and 4 post lift, I think it is a wash in terms of ease of use for wrenching. They both bring good and bad to the table.

You can also move a 4 post easily, hell most come with wheels to make them "portable". I'd also imagine that a 4 post will be cheaper.

 

Personally, I would trust my car on a 4 post for months at a time long before a 2 post from a stability stand-post...but would prefer a 2-post over a 4 for wrenching in general.

 

My girlfriend's dad has a 2 post in his garage and he always has the same car up on it. AFAIK there's no problems with the suspension.

If it's not being driven I expect you'd have the similar problems with the car sitting on it's wheels as you would if they were sagging like on a 2 post.

 

My buddy has a 4 post in his garage. He likes being able to move it around.

 

I would go with the 2 post I think. I like being able to have the car off its wheels when its off the ground. A 4 point would be pretty much useless in that sense. 2 post gives you so much more room to work under the car. Might be a bit more of a bitch to get the car on it, but not that much.

 

My car was suspended in the air for the whole time I was rebuilding it (nearly a year) with no issues at all.

 

No issues with my 4 post. Working on the wheels/suspension is usually just as easy sitting on the ground anyway.

A 2 post needs reinforced concrete to bolt it to and usually more ceiling space.

I'd like to have a 2 post to drop my wife's motor from her Sebring as there's a bit more clearance to go out the bottom. Not sure if it will matter yet or not.

Frank

 

I love my 2 post at my house. Given I don't use it for storage all the time, but i have had a car up there for 3 months with no issues. If you want it to work on everything, then get a 2 post. Make sure you get it with asymmetrical arms too. I got mine for $1700 shipped and it has worked flawlessly. ASTP9A is the model number. Mine is in my driveway and I did reinforce the concrete. It is pretty easy, just cut a 2' cube where the post would go and full with concrete and rebar. Took me 2 afternoons.

 

If you're working on the wheels/suspension do you put the car on jackstands on the lift?

At this point I'm set on a 2 post. I've worked on both and to me the 2 post just seems far more convenient to get around- and I won't need a storage spot. I can't see the car being suspended as an issue. Like Eric said, I've had cars sit on jackstands for far longer than a few months and it's never caused any problems.

 

go into any dealer or good shop and you'll see either in ground or rotary 2 post lifts. 4 posts lifts are for alignments and storage. i bet you could probably get saddle-like feet to lift the car by the tires for a 2 poster

 

Here ya go. Incidentally, where I bought my lift. They've got both.

Which Lift Should I Buy: 2-Post or 4-Post?

Truth be told, my plan is to store my car for 5 months a year. I really wouldn't want my suspension hanging that long. And I've been able to do all the work on my car I need.

Frank

 

...what's our wheelbase again? 83" or something like that?

 

Been thinking about how nice it would be to have a lift as well so it is an interesting discussion.

Not to threadjack, but has anyone ever used a scissor jack? Like this...
- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Maybe not as much clearance around the lift, like forget about pulling a transmission. But the portability would be nice.

 

I used a scissor lift when doing my first exhaust and suspension install. They are nice for what they are. My neighbor parks his vette over it; built a wood platform around it so it's 'flush' to the ground. If you need to pull the tranny, it is not the lift for you. Has the 4-post in the other bay for long term storage

 

Cool thanks.

 

Yup. Actually not jackstands but blocks. Works really well. Friend that has one drives the car onto it. Raises the lift, sets a couple of blocks on the floor, lowers car so it sits on the blocks. Then puts different blocks on the lift and raises the car up. Sounds like a pain in the ***, but much faster than jacking all four corners with a jack.

 

my father's shop had an off center 2 post lift. In my opinion way better than a 4 post. Able to pull trans, engines, wheels, etc without hassle. During the slow months he would store his race car on it for about 3-4 months. No issues with the car's suspension, and it was a 1954 H-mod car.

 

Air jack to work on wheels suspension on a 4 post. Or use on the ground.

Greg Smith Equipment Sales Inc. - The lift professionals with quality automotive equipment at discount prices.

Personally, I still think wheel/suspension work on a Miata is easy as pie on the ground.

Another benefit I've found with the 4 post that nobody mentions is if you need one person working under the car while the other is up above to help remove headers/turbo/etc or whatever, the person up top can stand on the runway.

A 4-post is also great if you have a ceiling hanging storage area in the garage. Ride the lift up to put crap in the hanging storage. No need to balance while climbing up a ladder.

Frank

 

Tom, How tall is your ceiling in your garage?