Unotaz undoubtedly had lifting 'standard size' cars in mind when he cited those ceiling heights, Beez. ;-)
Minimum Garage Ceiling Height for a lift
- Thread starter FGT899
- Start date
Unotaz undoubtedly had lifting 'standard size' cars in mind when he cited those ceiling heights, Beez. ;-)
unotaz
GT Owner
With 9.5 ft, you can't store a regular sedan on the bottom. With 10.5ft, you will have some decent room to play with (eg. FGT on top and a four door like a Mercedes S-Class).
unotaz
GT Owner
Yes. All standard sized cars in mind 
This is my guest house garage (18ft ceiling). Main house garage has a 10ft ceiling, so I decided not to install any lifts in there.
This is my guest house garage (18ft ceiling). Main house garage has a 10ft ceiling, so I decided not to install any lifts in there.
QuickSilverShelby
GT Owner
Not too shabbyYes. All standard sized cars in mind
This is my guest house garage (18ft ceiling). Main house garage has a 10ft ceiling, so I decided not to install any lifts in there.
View attachment 55941
.QSS
SuperNova
GT Owner
Folks - super helpful information, thanks for that! Gary - good thoughts there, I'd likely be stacking a new sports car that is a little under 51 inch height, and with my stock height GT in at approx 44 inch height, I think I can make it work.
The double car, 4 post lift was something I was definitely considering. That independent lift w/cables (butt puckering lol) was something to toy with, but with current measurements it's looking like a real tight fit. I have a beam across the top which you can see in the picture, that's the 9ft6in measurement. I'll be getting new doors / tracks to do the wall-mount style mentioned earlier in this thread.
As far as that other 4-post lift, double checking and wanted to see if this was the one you all were referencing:
https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/parking-lifts/hd-9sw/
Did any of you spring for the roller jack on one of the sides, or does that work with this model?
The double car, 4 post lift was something I was definitely considering. That independent lift w/cables (butt puckering lol) was something to toy with, but with current measurements it's looking like a real tight fit. I have a beam across the top which you can see in the picture, that's the 9ft6in measurement. I'll be getting new doors / tracks to do the wall-mount style mentioned earlier in this thread.
As far as that other 4-post lift, double checking and wanted to see if this was the one you all were referencing:
https://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/parking-lifts/hd-9sw/
Did any of you spring for the roller jack on one of the sides, or does that work with this model?
Attachments
Xcentric
GT Owner
Chris, It *looks like* a rolling jack will work with that lift. The jack rides in the groove on the inside of the ramps and the ramps look the same as the single-wides. Essential IMO if you expect to take the wheels off from time to time. Otherwise, you're dealing with a couple layers of 2x12s crosswise and bottle jacks to raise the car. PITA.
You need compressed air with Bendpaks. Air releases the lift safety locks and operates the rolling jack.
Think about installation too. I got the business that services most of the car dealerships in the area to install mine. I think Bendpak has a list of certified installers. I had Bendpak ship the lift to them, so I did not have to deal with any of it.
Make sure there is no attic access above where a lift post will sit. I got the optional casters to move my lift, but you're not going to be able to move a double wide.
Too bad about that cross beam.
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MTV8
GT Owner
Lots of variables there it seems. Looks like you do not have to take into account the metal wind bracing that is installed along the inside of the door in some areas.
Biginch Blake
GT Owner
soroush
Ford Gt Owner
- Aug 8, 2007
- 5,256
I wouldnt use a rolling jack with that lift, I would not use a double wide lift to work on a car. they are really just for storage. once you set up the rails/tracks you will realize that only the outside rails/tracks will get bolted to the front and back risers. the middle rails/tracks just sit on top of the front and back risers yes they float and you can move them side to side as to change the width between the tracks to accommodate different cars. it is a little scary to think the middle tracks just sit there but thats how its set up. so the last thing you want to do is to put a rolling jack on it... or do any kind of work on the double wide lift...
if you want a work lift your best bet is a single 4 post with two rolling jacks that way you can raise the whole car at the same time and can perform any kind of work..
One little aside regarding BendPak:
Unless the clearances they cite in their diagrams have been 'updated' in the last 8 years-or-so, be advised that the clearance they claim exists beneath the hoist when it's at max lift is overstated.
I'm going to make up clearance figures here because I don't remember what the actual figures were, but, for purposes of illustration, say BendPak claims there's 7 feet of clearance beneath the hoist when it's 'at rest' at full lift and you're wanting to drive a 6'-10" tall vehicle under it. You won't be able to do it.
To get my 'double wide' high enough to clear the cab shield on my Dad's 1970 Ford dump truck, I had to use bottle jacks to lift the hoist the additional 2"(?)-or-so that was needed, then place a length of 1/8" wall, 4x4 steel tubing vertically INSIDE each of the 4 posts...and then set the hoist down on those. Since I live in earthquake country, I used the biggest tie wraps known to man to secure the 'tubing inside the 4 posts (at the top and bottom) AND also bolted the hoist to 6x6 timbers used in the frame of the garage via custom made brackets and U-bolts attached to the top of the 2 posts on the hoist that are located next to the wall. (I don't believe the steel tubing inside the 4 posts would move anyway given the weight of the two cars they're holding up in the air...but, you can bet your boots there'd be some 'wobbling' going on with the whole setup in a quake regardless.)
'Just "FYI"...
(And, yes, obviously, the 2 vehicles sitting on top are being stored there! Otherwise it would be a PITB getting 'em down!
)
Unless the clearances they cite in their diagrams have been 'updated' in the last 8 years-or-so, be advised that the clearance they claim exists beneath the hoist when it's at max lift is overstated.
I'm going to make up clearance figures here because I don't remember what the actual figures were, but, for purposes of illustration, say BendPak claims there's 7 feet of clearance beneath the hoist when it's 'at rest' at full lift and you're wanting to drive a 6'-10" tall vehicle under it. You won't be able to do it.
To get my 'double wide' high enough to clear the cab shield on my Dad's 1970 Ford dump truck, I had to use bottle jacks to lift the hoist the additional 2"(?)-or-so that was needed, then place a length of 1/8" wall, 4x4 steel tubing vertically INSIDE each of the 4 posts...and then set the hoist down on those. Since I live in earthquake country, I used the biggest tie wraps known to man to secure the 'tubing inside the 4 posts (at the top and bottom) AND also bolted the hoist to 6x6 timbers used in the frame of the garage via custom made brackets and U-bolts attached to the top of the 2 posts on the hoist that are located next to the wall. (I don't believe the steel tubing inside the 4 posts would move anyway given the weight of the two cars they're holding up in the air...but, you can bet your boots there'd be some 'wobbling' going on with the whole setup in a quake regardless.)
'Just "FYI"...
(And, yes, obviously, the 2 vehicles sitting on top are being stored there! Otherwise it would be a PITB getting 'em down!
)
Sinovac
GT Owner
Those of you with low ceiling height concerns need to pay attention to the height of the runners themselves (this is the part of the lift you drive on and raise/lower). The heavy duty lifts have runners twice as thick (tall) as the lighter duty lifts, which will reduce your effective ceiling clearance 4” or more.
Xcentric
GT Owner
The HD-9SW has all the options to make it a service lift.
Are you suggesting that Bendpak will sell something that is unsafe?
Sinovac
GT Owner
Safety assured by the Chinese Consumer Protection Agency.
soroush
Ford Gt Owner
- Aug 8, 2007
- 5,256
soroush
Ford Gt Owner
- Aug 8, 2007
- 5,256
soroush
Ford Gt Owner
- Aug 8, 2007
- 5,256
looks like you can make this one into a service lift too.
www.bendpak.com
both great Ideas!!!
BendPak HD-973P Three-Level Parking Lift - Car Stacker
eet the HD-973P tri-level parking lift, whose patent-pending design allows the storage of three vehicles in a single parking space.
both great Ideas!!!
Thats quite a garage inventory, I especially like the red one in the middle of the pic!
Darn, when did that triple come out, I looked when we did our building (have TONS of height), nothing for under $30k.
Darn, when did that triple come out, I looked when we did our building (have TONS of height), nothing for under $30k.
looks like you can make this one into a service lift too.
BendPak HD-973P Three-Level Parking Lift - Car Stacker
eet the HD-973P tri-level parking lift, whose patent-pending design allows the storage of three vehicles in a single parking space.
unotaz
GT Owner
soroush
Ford Gt Owner
- Aug 8, 2007
- 5,256
its been out for a little while Andy, my friend sent me the link a few months ago. It does look tempting
Yes. All standard sized cars in mind
This is my guest house garage (18ft ceiling). Main house garage has a 10ft ceiling, so I decided not to install any lifts in there.
View attachment 55941
Legendary stable. Wow...just wow.