VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION General Discussions Car Lifts

I'm thinking of getting a car lift from Backyard Buddy and would like to know if any of the VCCA members have any information on is lift our what they are using for lifts.

You may want to check out www.garagejournal.com . There is a lot of great discussions on different lifts.
Richard

Get the one that you are comfortable with. I have checked out several and prefer those built near where I live. One little country shop builds and ships lifts with several different colors and makes. all the same pattern and materials. Ifyou ask anyone that markets them , they will tell you theirs are way better than any other. Believe what you want. Be happy!

When you find one you like, make sure you go on line and check out the feed back on it. I will not consider ANY product that doesn't have a decent satisfaction rating by other consumers. (Got burned too many times)

P.S. I myself, try not to purchase anything made in China!

I prefer the ramp style with a wheels free attachment generally 4 post style but the 2 post are just as good. It is really a matter of personal preference though.
Tony

A two post lift is great because there is nothing under the car, but when I went to buy, I found out I needed a lot space and I could not fit two cars in the garage. I opted for a scissor lift. It works great and has paid for itself in two years. It does have a 6000 lb. limit, but none of my cars even come close. I was able to change the clutch on my 28 with it last year. The company I purchased from is in Canada. They take a rather sturdy Chinese frame (no jokes here) and add US made hydraulics that are superb. It is a compromise between price and quality, but for $1800, I am happy.

I prefer the 2 post lifts. They are good for work and storage but my garage ceiling is to low so now I am looking for a scissor lift instead.

Space dictates.

Lift the garage roof a couple of feet.
Tony

Everyone thought I was crazy when I put 14' walls in my shop, I wasn't thinking about a lift at the time, I kept my Farm truck (1957 C-6500 grain bed with sideboards) and my pontoon boat in the shop and had 12' rollup doors so had to have the extra 2' in the walls. Now the truck was sold and the pontoon and the enclosed car trailer are under a newer cover, that left the shop for a 4 post lift one car on the lift and another under the lift, and a stall for the 68 along with my tools and some storage in a front loft. The shop is full! I may need another 4 post lift for my tractor and Kaw Mule.
I love the 4 post lift for working and serviceing the old cars. I can raise it to a convenient height and roll around under the car on my office chair on castors. I also use if for wheel and brake work. I have a jack plate that rides on the rails and use a bottle jack to jack up the wheels. I have pulled transmissions and rear ends. I put the transmission jack on a 4 castor service table and it works fine, also can jack up the engine with a bottle jack on a 4x4 between the rails, to remove the transmissions.

4 posts are good and stable, but there are sometimes "2 more posts in the way". I have an old A111 alignment machine and a 2 post lift would make things a lot easier for that particular application.
So I guess it really boils down to your needs and the room and space that you have.

I've had a Backyard Buddy in my shop for 16-years and use it at least a couple of times a week. It's never given me any problems.

Thanks for all the information and today I ordered my lift from the Backyard Buddy Co. I was just getting dizzy laying on my back while I worked. I spent a little more then I was going to do but I got all the bells and whistle. It's the only time I will get one

Congratulations! Did you get the four post or two? What swayed you to Backyard Buddy?
Richard

I ordered the four post and one that you can park another vehicle under the one on the lift. I liked the way it was made and all so a friend in NY has one. Like I said it cost a little more it also has a lot of saftey built into. And it is MADE IN THE USA. Just trying to help the economy.

Good on you, and congrats. No matter what you buy, it will be enjoyable to not lay on your back under the car.

Man....ain't that the truth!!!

From the time I lay under a car for the first time until I got my hoist was about 34 years, a new home and a second wife. And roughly in that order.

Let's see, I been laying under cars about 61 years, first changeing oil at the Sinclair station , summer job, got my first wife 45 years ago and my lift 5 years ago. All I can say is I waited way too long getting a lift! guess I could be called a bit of a slow learner!

Will it will be 50 years soon and hope to have lift before that can't wait.

Got my lift 5 years ago. Before that I spent my money on wild women, tools, and machinable things. The rest I just wasted !

Shame on you!....... probably wasted about 5% of your money?

That happens in the best of families, anyone ever ask you if your wife has a sister?...Well does she? Mine does, but she is married to a fisherman that drinks....

I really enjoy my 4 post. Built the actual garage "AROUND IT" to tell you the truth. With a shop on the side toboot.

I've been following the posts somewhat leisurely and, accordingly, may have missed something.

That stated, I have always been under the impression that the two post with the four pivoting arms that contact the frame is the best way to go. The reasoning is that you only have two posts to bump into when you are drunk or wearing a billed cap and the fact that the whole underside of the car is ratherly easily seen and accessed, wheels and all.

Now if your primary purpose is storage (one car on top and one underneath) that can be accommodated, as well.

So what is undesirable about the two post type with pivoting frame arms?
Charlie

This four post lift dose not have to be bolted to the floor and it can be moved with car on it when in the down position if you have the casters that are sold as an accessory to do it and of course the room to do it.

Each lift has its advantages and disadvantages. The four post lifts use ramps that the wheels rest on. The two post use four arms to support the frame. The four post lift can be moved with or without a vehicle on it and can sit on nearly any level surface. The two post must be securely bolted to a reinforced concrete floor or it may flop over. That is only a few differences. I love my four poster.