Lift - 4 Post or other - Megathread


paul b

GT Owner
Nov 2, 2006
810
Just had a Direct Lift ProPark Plus installed in my garage. I'm 6'4" so the additional lift height makes it easy to work under cars. I'm definitely thinking of getting a 2nd one.

Can you tell us your ceiling height?
 

Empty Pockets

ex-GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Oct 18, 2006
1,361
Washington State
that happened about 9 weeks ago. I ordered this one a week later. :lol


I hear ya. For some people, hoists are like Lay's Tater Chips or FGT's..."Bet ya can't (own) just ONE!"


Merry Christmas, jb... :cheers
 

DeMopuar

Active member
May 30, 2008
29
Wisconsin
I've got two Backyard Buddy lifts as well jbsteven. They were NOT the cheapest lift, just the most safe underneath. I am not comfortable with the Chinese lift my friend has; it wobbles all over when in the air -- not a very safe feeling. He wants to bolt it to the floor to make it more stable -- SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A BYB. They will survive an earthquake without being bolted to the floor, so the casters that I have with them are actually usable. Great choice -- you will never regret it.
 

roketman

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Oct 24, 2005
7,994
ma.
I also just got a second lift . I MUST BE GETTING OLD BECAUSE I GET EXCITED ABOUT A LIFT !
 

soroush

Ford Gt Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Aug 8, 2007
5,256
a lift is like a cell phone, once you get it, you dont know how you were ever able to live without it.
 

930man

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Dec 15, 2008
37
i am ordering some on the 29th ... just dont know where to get them!
 

MAD IN NC

Proud Owner/ BOD blah bla
Mark IV Lifetime
Feb 14, 2006
4,211
North Carolina
i am ordering some on the 29th ... just dont know where to get them!

Been using mine for over a year. Have had 4 transmission and clutches in/out, 12+ oil changes, 5+ brake jobs, 1 set of Heffner pipes, 1 Whipple

930man, Doc John just put two of these type of lifts in at his new place.... Check your e-mail
:biggrin
 

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SYCO GT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Sep 9, 2006
4,974
California
Is the BYB the one available through Costco?
 

Mullet

FORD GT OWNER
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Oct 21, 2008
2,468
Houston Texas
Is the BYB the one available through Costco?

not sure.........

backyardbuddy.com


Paul B
10 foot ceilings is pretty much what you need. think of how high 2 cars are and add 10-12 inches. That's your minimum.
 

MAD IN NC

Proud Owner/ BOD blah bla
Mark IV Lifetime
Feb 14, 2006
4,211
North Carolina
Couple of point to consider when purchasing a lift

1. Anybody contemplating a lift should go to http://www.autolift.org/ and verify that the product they are looking meets the ANSI industry specifications and has been tested.

2. The FGT is wider than most cars. My lift is 116" between posts do I don't have to "thread the needle" when parking.

3. If the FGT is lowered you might have to further extend the ramps. Check the ramp heights to make sure you don't take out the air dam or diffuser!
 

DeMopuar

Active member
May 30, 2008
29
Wisconsin
The Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) is fee based for membership. You pay the money to be on their list and voila, you are on the list. Backyard Buddy is not interested in paying a fee that their lift already exceeds in all aspects of design.

Anyway, if anyone looks at a BYB and one of the chinese made lifts, it is very apparent which one you would want to be under. After looking at both type of lifts, I am very happy with the BYB lift.

It is kind of funny -- everyone on this list buys an expensive toy to put it on a lift, but then want to save $1,000 or $1,500 -- kind of ironic if you ask me. These lifts are not all built the same -- do not let anyone tell you different.
 

MAD IN NC

Proud Owner/ BOD blah bla
Mark IV Lifetime
Feb 14, 2006
4,211
North Carolina
The Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) is fee based for membership. You pay the money to be on their list and voila, you are on the list. Backyard Buddy is not interested in paying a fee that their lift already exceeds in all aspects of design.

Anyway, if anyone looks at a BYB and one of the chinese made lifts, it is very apparent which one you would want to be under. After looking at both type of lifts, I am very happy with the BYB lift.

It is kind of funny -- everyone on this list buys an expensive toy to put it on a lift, but then want to save $1,000 or $1,500 -- kind of ironic if you ask me. These lifts are not all built the same -- do not let anyone tell you different.

Funny - While I'm not in the lift industry myself I am very familiar with ETL and ANSI. Underwriter Labs and ETL (the test and listing agent of the ALI) are fee based, not for membership but for testing and product "listing" to insure that a minimal product safety requirement for use are met. Beyond these two test agencies there is the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) which publishes the specifications for the industry in total of which ETL test to. Membership to ANSI is less than ~$2k per year to gain access to all submissions and changes of the specifications by co- suppliers of the specific indutry, in this case the lift suppliers. ETL and ANSI are not "buy your way in" standard bodies. There is a letter from ALI to BYB which describes all issues that you have hinted to above. it can be found at:

http://www.autolift.org/pdf_documents/letter_to_backyard_buddy.pdf

I do agree lifts are not built the same. That is why I researched before the purchase of mine. I'm happy for fellow member jbsteven. I'm not biased either way to any of the key reputable suppliers. I've made my decision and am more than happy with my purchase - being ALI listed. I'm happy for you and your Back Yard Buddy.... BUT- I will always try to gain the most value for my hard earned money. Just because we bought these cars doesn't mean we frivolously waste our hard earned and just deserved rewards.

Personally the money I saved was used to feed my Opus X and Plymouth Gin Habit (of which I am enjoying right now- Thanks BONY)
 

B O N Y

MODERATOR & FGT OWNER
Mark IV Lifetime
Sep 5, 2005
12,110
Fresno, Ca.
Yes, before I get into this thread, I will enjoy a very dry Plymouth Gibson with a nice Cohiba this afternoon. I will be back to comment on this thread in the near future...
Thanks for planting that seed Mikey! :)
 

twinvipers

Active member
Apr 30, 2007
38
Been using mine for over a year. Have had 4 transmission and clutches in/out, 12+ oil changes, 5+ brake jobs, 1 set of Heffner pipes, 1 Whipple

930man, Doc John just put two of these type of lifts in at his new place.... Check your e-mail
:biggrin


Mike

Who did your lift install ?

Thanks,Jeff
 

MAD IN NC

Proud Owner/ BOD blah bla
Mark IV Lifetime
Feb 14, 2006
4,211
North Carolina
Mike

Who did your lift install ?

Thanks,Jeff

Hey Jeff - good hearing from ya!. BTW - Crossroads has a tungsten on their floor (or did)...

Mine was installed by myself and four friends - one who has installed lifts before. Took four hr's then a case of beer. Doc John had a crew come out for his two. I'll see him next Saturday and get the details for you of his install crew.
 

twinvipers

Active member
Apr 30, 2007
38
Hey Jeff - good hearing from ya!. BTW - Crossroads has a tungsten on their floor (or did)...

Mine was installed by myself and four friends - one who has installed lifts before. Took four hr's then a case of beer. Doc John had a crew come out for his two. I'll see him next Saturday and get the details for you of his install crew.

I called them and it was sold already :frown

Need to sell my Heffner TT Viper first anyway.

Let me know on the install crew. I did one of mine ,but don't have the time right now.

Happy Holidays !!!
 

tpraceman

THEE GT OWNER
Mark II Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Feb 20, 2006
2,835
Washington Michigan
Some years back while at the PRI show I found this company and the lift is very good. Thicker steel plates, cables and very nice locking systems.

Got the mobile wheel option and to move rotate the hoist is so easy even with a car on it.

With a golf cart I can roll it out side go all the way up on a nice day and use it to push it back into the garage. (I have the garage floor on a taper for draining when washing so the cart helps in pushing it back in).

http://www.axeequipment.com/

stinger%20resedential%20caster%20kitweb.jpg
 

PL510*Jeff

Well-known member
Mark IV Lifetime
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Nov 3, 2005
4,876
Renton, Washington
Lift Options

Some years back while at the PRI show I found this company and the lift is very good. Thicker steel plates, cables and very nice locking systems.

Got the mobile wheel option and to move rotate the hoist is so easy even with a car on it.

With a golf cart I can roll it out side go all the way up on a nice day and use it to push it back into the garage. (I have the garage floor on a taper for draining when washing so the cart helps in pushing it back in).

http://www.axeequipment.com/

stinger%20resedential%20caster%20kitweb.jpg

The lift rollers really do work good. I don't use them too much but it is nice to take the lift "out doors". Pressure washing, steam cleaning, GT wheeel cleaning, etc.

Also one should consider the optional aluminum drive-on ramps. Sooo much lighter than the std steel ones. I use my lift quite often, usually to "fix" one of the kid's cars or one of the race cars, so the lighter weight ramps are a true blessing. Every time I put them on or take them off, my back says thank you!
 

MAD IN NC

Proud Owner/ BOD blah bla
Mark IV Lifetime
Feb 14, 2006
4,211
North Carolina
The lift rollers really do work good. I don't use them too much but it is nice to take the lift "out doors". Pressure washing, steam cleaning, GT wheeel cleaning, etc.


When the Association Nazi's of where I live give me grief (planting wo permit etc.) I pull mine out, put a ~70 pick up on it, move the couch from the screened porch to the driveway and say "I can be much worse :rofl"


Luckily my garage is deep enough I don;t have to mess with the ramps........
 

Mullet

FORD GT OWNER
Le Mans 2010 Supporter
Oct 21, 2008
2,468
Houston Texas
got the casters for my lift as well. I would not own a lift without them.