2 POST LIFT questions

[76zimmer]

I'll be installing one and need to know:
1) how much room to leave between the lift and the interior of the side wall? a couple feet? more?
2) how much room to leave from the door to the posts?
If I get my 76 CCDRW long box (22') in there, I want to be sure I can close the door with the truck safely on the lift.

 

[jekquistk5]

Dave, what people tell me is 3 or more feet off the wall, so when you are changing say ujoints in the axle you can pull the axle out all the way. From what I have read 13-15 foot off the back wall is the standard.

 

[toomany]

I have mine planned for 4' from the sidewall. Depth in the bay may depend on symetric or asymetric arms. Asymetric could probable go in a little deeper.


I may have missed it in one of your other threads, but how big is the shop going to be? I went 14' sidewalls with mine specificly so I could have a lift and a loft I could stand up on. The cost of going from 12' to 14' was very small (like $800).


If you get on garagejournal.com, this subject is covered very well.

 

[jekquistk5]

Still planning to put this in your attached or build a new structure? I thought you couldn't put in another building.

 

[76zimmer]

So far I have approval for a new bldg between my two garages But setback about 25'
13' walls 36x48

 

[Justin V]

Think about things that wouldn't work if you are too close to the side wall.

A couple examples. Pulling rear axle shafts and using a long pry bar.

You may also want room to walk between the post and the wall while carrying something heavy/awkward/large.

The distance from the door is hard for me to say because some lifts have equal length arms and others don't. You'll still want room to walk behind it and for doing things like putting stuff in the bed for temporary storage (bumpers, hood, gas tank) until they get reinstalled.

 

[jekquistk5]

Depends on your door situation dave.

 

[Cili]

I agree with 3-4 feet off the sidewall. Also if you haven't decided on a lift I was looking at Greg smiths equipments webpage and they have some good options and information.

 

[ktmoutfront]

Lay out the building interior wall face where it will go. Use string. Park the truck inside the space. Lay out the lift with 4 feet of clearance from the outside of the lift to the inside of the wall. This will also allow you to line up the door with the lift. Use upside down paint to lay out the other stuff that will go in the building.

Nothing worse than finding out the space is not what you need.

And build an enclosure for your compressor. I can have a conversation standing next to mine.

 

[Chevy305]

Pardon the hijack but what's the difference between symmetric and asymmetric arms?

Also what kind of minimum floor to ceiling height would you recommend?

 

[jekquistk5]

Pardon the hijack but what's the difference between symmetric and asymmetric arms?

Also what kind of minimum floor to ceiling height would you recommend?

Symmetric - equal length arms
Asymmetric - one short arm one long arm

12' min ceiling height. You can however cut trusses etc to lift higher

 

[ktmoutfront]

You can however cut trusses etc to lift higher

This is what I did.

 

[ktmoutfront]

This picture kind of shows the trusses. .

 

[Chevy305]

Symmetric - equal length arms
Asymmetric - one short arm one long arm

12' min ceiling height. You can however cut trusses etc to lift higher

So which one is better and why?

 

[ktmoutfront]

I like symmetrical. But the Jimmy is weighted evenly front to back.

Shorter arms to the heavy end of the car. Longer arms to the lighter end. Let's you offset the vehicle in the lift.

 

[76zimmer]

It looks like asymmetrical arms can be used symmetrically as well?

 

[jekquistk5]

I have symmetrical because that's the deal I came across. My lift is older, but it's built like a brick shit house.

 

[Chevy305]

I like symmetrical. But the Jimmy is weighted evenly front to back.

Shorter arms to the heavy end of the car. Longer arms to the lighter end. Let's you offset the vehicle in the lift.

So being offset you could potentially open the front doors without the posts in the way?

 

[76zimmer]

Here is the preliminary plan...empty half of the barn is for storage of paying vehicles.
I might need to adjust the door openings...right now they are 3' from the corners.

 

[jekquistk5]

Getting fancy with a drain.